We here at PLL just discovered a show on PBS called Word World. I know, send me for a late slip on this one. For those of you who have not yet discovered this wonderful show on PBS, let us enlighten you. The creatives use animation to teach preschoolers how to read. They literally use letters to make the shape of characters and objects throughout the show, animating words that come to life. Well we do not need a study to tell us how quickly kids can pick up the concept of literacy using these methods. We can only imagine how much fun the artists behind this show must have storyboarding each episode. Here are some videos to give you a taste, enjoy your weekend! Check your local listings and support public broadcasting.
Skateboard P aka Pharrell is known for his music production but most probably famous because of his passion. For some people, with success comes a freedom of thought that opens their mind to solving the ills of society. Pharrells extracurricular focus seems to be on education. In this vid he sits down with Dr Steve Perry from CNN to discuss his viewpoint.
Incidentally, the artist also launched Kidult a social media website for the leaders of our future. Inspired by his young fans, he believed they deserved a website that respected their intelligence and covered their diverse interests—from science to fashion. It’s the site Pharrell wishes he had when he was a teenager. Most of the other kids didn’t get him and it was always more fun to have conversations with adults. With kidult.com, Pharrell introduces a place where the stories reflect your life and interests, but doesnt talk down to them.
UPDATE: Kidult is hosting the 2010 Kidult Youth Leadership Conference on June 26th from 7:30am to 8pm themed “Feed Your Curiosity.’
Speakers include: Akiba Solomon, Award-winning advocacy journalist, Columnist, and Editor; Alessandra Lariu, Cofounder; Digital Group Creative Director, McCann WorldGroup; Ayana Byrd, Author and Editor, Glamour; Charles Fyffe, President of AGL Clothing, CEO of Charlie’s Brownies; Christina Seid, entrepreneur, blogger, community activist; Daniel “Diggy” Simmons of MTV’s Run’s House; Datwon Thomas, senior editor/advisor of GlobalGrind.com; David S. Williams III, Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Business Development, Patients Like Me; Felix Sención, Founder and CEO – Mundial Sports Network; Hezekiah Griggs, III, “America’s Youngest Media Mogul,” Founder HG3 Foundation; Ionnie McNeill, professional speaker, founder of The Baby Billionaire; Jenn Chen, President of Givology; Karen Nethersole, Esq., CEO at Full Circle NY; Karl G. Schlegel, Co-founder and CEO, Blackstar Group, LLC; Lynne d Johnson, SVP, Social Media for the Advertising Research Foundation; Matt O’Rourke, Group Creative Director/SVP, McCann WorldGroup; Paige Continentino, Professional Coach; Tammy Tibbetts, creator of She’s the First, web editor of Seventeen.com; Mimi Valdés, Co-founder of Kidult, LLC/Editor-in-Chief of Kidult.com; and Pharrell Williams.
I ran into a new friend who is a researcher in neurology, discovering how octaves and tones affect different parts of the brain. An interesting conversation proceeded whereby we discussed whether it is the brain that see’s the world or the world that see’s the brain…
Indeed, we agreed there would be no answer in sight and this could be the end all and be all of discussions. Shortly thereafter, like a magnet, I come across some very recent research on using neural maps to photographically recreate thoughts or images from inside ones mind. With all the neurological studies and research going on right now, new dicoveries are being made about how the brain translates thoughts, sights and sounds. An overview article on some of the research can be found here thanks to Wired.
Is this type of technology that can be classified as intriguing but dangerously intrusive? For all of you that have absorbed the weight of this information, there will be a part 2 to this blog post coming soon.
Perhaps the smash hit ‘Kids‘ was but a precurser to MGMT most recent appearance on one of Pop Lock and Learn’s favourite television show ‘Yo Gabba Gabba‘?
Pop Lock and Learn Blog 