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Save the Date, Brooklyn Tech, Phishing Confessional–News from The LAMP!

The Lamp — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 15:17:57 +0000

The LAMP Illuminations

April 2010

In This Issue

Spotlight: Meredith Summs, MOUSE Program Manager

Highlight: A Cautionary Tale

Gaslight: April in Media History

News from The LAMP!

This week, The LAMP completed its first collaboration with Rooftop Filmsand Brooklyn Technical High School. As part of their criminal justice major, students looked at how one capital punishment case was reported differently in a documentary by Rooftop Films, a print newspaper and a television news show.

The LAMP has been busy booking LAMPcamp sessions and other summer workshops, but it’s not too late if you or your organization would like to host a summer program! Check out our LAMPcamp videos, and email us or call 718-789-8170 for more information!

Spotlight: Meredith Summs, MOUSE Program Manager

This month we interviewed Meredith Summs, the inspiring and vivacious program manager at MOUSE, a technology and education non-profit The LAMP has collaborated with on several occasions. Learn moreabout her journey from media consumer to producer to educator, and the origins of her popular blog, Never Slap The Gift Donkey.

Highlight: A Cautionary Tale

This month, Communications Director Emily Long wrote on The LAMPpost about her embarrassing turn as the victim of an online scam. It’s important to remember that even the most web-savvy people can still make mistakes. Check out “How I (unwittingly) spammed everyone I know”and spread the word to friends and family so the same thing doesn’t happen to them.

To help us continue our services as New York City’s only nonprofit organization giving free media literacy workshops to parents, youth and educators, please consider a small tax-deductible donation. Your donation goes to work immediately supporting workshop equipment, supplies, and administrative and facilitator fees.

The LAMP will not share or sell your email address. Period.

Save the Date!

On Tuesday, June 8, The LAMP will hold its first fundraising event at Brooklyn’s Double Windsor! Stay tuned for details on an evening of sweet treats, delicious drinks and surprises to support The LAMP and kick off your summer!

Gaslight:
April
in Media History

April is a huge month in film history–in fact, the movie industry might not exist without the innovations celebrated in this month’s Gaslight!

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News from The LAMP! Our February Illuminations Newsletter

The Lamp — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:48:14 +0000

The LAMP Illuminations

February 2010

In This Issue

Spotlight: Chesley Andrews, The LAMP’s Web Designer

Highlight: “Digital Nation” Reviewed

Gaslight: February in Media History

News from The LAMP!

The LAMP is all set for its spring programs with Rooftop Filmsand Brooklyn Technical High School, as well as PS 107 and other pilot workshops. We’ve also been working on our library of free LAMPlit resource guides, as we’ve put out a revised version of Beginner’s Guide to Going Online and recently published Check Out the News!, our guide to basic news literacy. Visit our Resources page to download both of them for free today!

And, it’s the perfect time to schedule LAMPcamp–The LAMP’s media literacy summer intensive launched last summer for teens. Check out our LAMPcamp videos, and email us or call 718-789-8170 for more information!

Spotlight: Chesley Andrews, The LAMP’s Web Designer

This month, we interviewed Chesley Andrews, web designer for The LAMP. Last summer she took on the daunting task of overhauling our website, and launched her own studio,Dossier. We talked to her about her inspiration, how she approaches her projects and the business of web design.Click here for the interview!

Highlight: “Digital Nation” Reviewed

On February 2nd, PBS Frontlinepremiered “Digital Nation,” the follow-up to writer/producer Rachel Dretzin’s “Growing Up Online” (Douglas Rushkoff also shares writer/producer credit here). Emily Long, The LAMP’s Communications Director, wrote about the documentary on The LAMPpost, plus her “compelling review” caught the eye of HASTAC. DId you watch “Digital Nation”? Tell us your thoughts on The LAMPpost!

The LAMP will not share or sell your email address. Period.

Vote for The LAMP on Change.org!

As part of Change.org’s Ideas for Change in Americacontest, The LAMP has proposed an increase funding for media literacy programming which would support our work in New York City and lead the way for similar funding in other cities.Vote for The LAMP, and help us make it to the final round for meaningful media literacy funding. Vote now!

Gaslight:
February
in Media History

In honor of Black History Month, The LAMP dedicatesFebruary’s Gaslight to African American pioneers in journalism.

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News from The LAMP! Our January Illuminations Newsletter

The Lamp — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:16:49 +0000

The LAMP Illuminations

January 2010

In This Issue

Spotlight: Merlin, LAMP Student

Highlight: Katherine Fry Speaking at T Salon!

Gaslight: January in Media History

The LAMP has big plans for 2010!

Happy new year from everyone at The LAMP, and a very special thanks to all of you who donated during our December fundraising campaign! Your donation will support many activities in 2010, including upcoming workshops with Girls Inc., Rooftop Films, Brooklyn Automotive High School, P.S. 107 and others. Plus, The LAMP is developing additional free LAMPlit resource guides, family events and much more as we continue expanding our services throughout New York City. If you, your school or community organization would like to host a LAMP workshop in the coming year, please email us or call 718-789-8170.

Spotlight: Merlin, LAMP Student

This month we interviewed Merlin, a middle-school student who has taken two video workshops with The LAMP. Read about how he thinks media impact his classmates, and how workshops with The LAMP changed his perspective. Check out “Fading Away From The Stereotypes,” one of the videos he made with The LAMP!

Highlight: Katherine Fry Speaking at T Salon!

The LAMP’s Education Director, Katherine Fry, Ph.D., will be part of a panel discussion with the Young Women Social Entrepreneurs discussing how media can be used as a catalyst for change, and how it is used to show change. Click here for details!

Just some of our notable achievements from 2009:

Over 140 hours of free media literacy training brought to youth, parents and educators in NYC
Taught our 500th student
First LAMPcamp summer program for Brooklyn teens
Redesigned thelampnyc.org
Featured in Ypulse, Mashable, The Reali and NY Metro Parents
Introduced free LAMPlit Resource Guides
First workshops brought to Queens and The Bronx

Gaslight: January
in Media History

Media in January was one President’s boon, but another President’s bane. Find out more in this month’s Gaslight entry!

News from The LAMP! Our November Illuminations Newsletter

The Lamp — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:31:28 +0000

The LAMP Illuminations

November 2009

In This Issue

Spotlight: Lorenzo Tijerina

Highlight: Katherine Fry Speaks!

Gaslight: November in Media History

Happening now at The LAMP…

This month, The LAMP continues its workshops with Mount Hope in The Bronx and Brooklyn Prospect Charter School in Brooklyn, and will also be conducting a professional development workshop with teachers at MOUSE. This follows presentations by Executive Director D.C. Vito and Communications Director Emily Long on social media for the Business Development Institute, and Education Director Katherine Fry’s participation on a news literacy panel with the New York State Communications Association! If you’re interested in hosting a workshop for teachers or in having a LAMP representative speak at your event, email us at info@thelampnyc.org.

Spotlight: Lorenzo Tijerina

Lorenzo Tijerina is a father, former television news editor, independent videographer and photographer…and LAMP facilitator! Check out our Spotlight interview to read about his experience working in TV news, his path to media literacy and the media he creates with his young son.

Highlight: Katherine Fry Speaks!

The LAMP’s Education Director, Katherine Fry, Ph.D., is also a prominent media scholar. On November 10th at 11am, Dr. Fry will offer a lecture presentation called “Mother Choices: Evaluating Moms Evaluating News.” The lecture, which will take place in the Woody Tanger auditorium of the Brooklyn College library, describes her current research: an exploration of changes in news and the identity of mothers. This talk is part of the Wolfe Institute in the Humanities lecture series at Brooklyn College, where Dr. Fry is an associate professor in the Dept. of Television and Radio. And, if you have plans to be in Chicago on November 14, don’t miss Dr. Fry’s presentation on News Literacy at the National Communication Association!

The LAMP will not share or sell your email address. Period.

The LAMP recommends: Feed by M.T. Anderson

Feed by M.T. Anderson is the story of what happens if media technologies continue to develop and if we continue to fail at preparing our youth to deal with the resulting barrage of media messages. In this ironic satirical YA novel, Anderson presents a world where a computer “feed” is connected directly to the human brain, leading to a glut of consumption and information overload. Complete with brilliantly updated versions of teenage slang, Feed tells the story of a boy named Titus, who fails to question the world he lives in, until he meets Violet, a girl with a mind of her own–even if it’s still connected to the feed.–Megha Kohli

Gaslight: November
in Media History

November was a tumultuous month for the makers of media. Why? Check out this month’s Gaslight entry!

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The LAMP hits the conference circuit, meet Megha Kohli, check out Finding Dulcinea: It’s The LAMP’s May Illuminations!

The Lamp — Tue, 05 May 2009 22:03:18 +0000

The LAMP Illuminations

May 2009

In This Issue

Headlight

Spotlight: Megha Kohli

Highlight: FindingDulcinea.com

Gaslight: This Month in Media History

Headlight

On April 30, The LAMP was proud to be part of the 5th Annual MOUSE Squad Educators Conference at Rockefeller Center. Education Director Katherine Fry and Executive Director D.C. Vito led a workshop about media literacy, historic uses of media, and how media and people have adapted to changing needs. Fry and Vito will also represent The LAMP on Saturday, June 6 at another media literacy conference hosted by Fordham University and Pratt Institute, talking about LAMP workshops and our efforts to promote media literacy. In addition, The LAMP is developing an exciting new partnership with Girl Scouts New York, and is also busy planning LAMPcamp plus other special summer events! Be sure to check The LAMPpost and follow us on Twitter (@thelampnyc) for details!

Spotlight: Megha Kohli

Occupation: Student at NYU (and the very first LAMP intern!)
Hometown: Tulsa, OK

Favorite blogs: Jezebel, Epicenter on Wired.com,NYU Local

Favorite websites: Wired.com, Wikipedia, Twitter

Favorite books: Brave New World, Amusing Ourselves to Death, anything by David Sedaris

Favorite meme: LOLCats, without a doubt. Fail Blog is a close second.

How do you see new media being used in the classroom? As a media student, most of my classes involve some level of discussion about new media and its effect on society. I had one class in particular, however, that took this further by with a class blog. We would publish our assignments on the blog and comment on each others’ posts, allowing our classroom discussion to continue throughout the week when we weren’t in class.

What is your favorite LAMP workshop story? I loved working with the kids at PS 107 in the short-form documentary workshop. I was really blown away by their insight and perspective on the different issues they were confronting in their documentaries. They were very opinionated, but also more informed than I would’ve expected–certainly more informed than I was at their age!

Highlight: Check this out!

Web publisher findingDulcinea is a free research and teaching tool dedicated to presenting the best information and resources on the Web. FindingDulcinea ’s education e-newsletter directs educators, parents and students to credible and quality online resources. Topics covered in recent weeks: theworld’s greatest libraries ; the original 13 British colonies ; and the history of basketball . School Library Journal’s Joyce Valenza reviewed and recommended the site : “What does findingDulcinea do right? It organizes. It evaluates. It creates context. It is conscious of design. It GETS media.” If you’re not able to visit findingDulcinea’s education section every day, have it come to yours: sign up for theeducation newsletter.

To help us continue our services as New York City’s only nonprofit organization giving free media literacy workshops to parents, youth and educators, please consider a small tax-deductible donation.

Want LAMP in the fall?

We know it may seem like a long time away, but it is not too early to start thinking about LAMP workshops in the fall! Our calendar fills up quickly, and we need time to arrange for the resources we need. If you want your child’s school or community to host LAMP workshops,send us an email and we’ll be in touch!

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Gaslight: This Month in Media History

May 7, 1946: Tokyo Telecommunication
is formed, later renamed Sony.
May 19, 1912: The Associated Advertising Clubs of America held its first conference in Dallas, TX.
May 25, 1994: Russian author Alexander Solzhenitsyn returns home after a 20-year exile. He was expelled in when his three-volume work exposing the Soviet prison system, The Gulag Archipelago, was published in the West. It later won the Nobel Prize.

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The LAMP’s April Illuminations!

The Lamp — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:58:42 +0000

The LAMP Illuminations

April 2009

In This Issue

Headlight

Spotlight: Kathie McKenzie

Highlight: Check this out!

LAMPcamp is coming!

Gaslight: This Month in Media History

Headlight

If you’re not online with The LAMP, you’ve been missing out! We recently added several new videos to our YouTube channel, having finished our Family Video Workshop with P.S. 102 and our short-form documentary workshop with P.S. 107. We’ve also posted loads of new photos on our Flickr page, and you can click here to find pictures from our workshop with MOUSE on persuasive advertising techniques. And, we were featured on Mashable.com with American Red Cross,The Humane Society of The United States and Greenpeace as a recommended nonprofit to follow on Twitter. See what all the fuss is about, and connect with us online using any of the links on the right-hand column!

Spotlight: Kathie McKenzie

Occupation: Graduate student at FIT in a museum studies programfocusing on textile conservation (and LAMP alum!). Also a wife, mother, PTA volunteer and intern at Cathedral of St. John the Divine at the Textile Conservation Lab.

Family: Husband: Greg Pitkoff, two children: Chloe (9) and Thatcher (7), crazy corgi: Missy (4) and my mother (Eileen McKenzie) is a frequent part of our lives.

What did you discover in the Family Video Workshop? I really liked the purposefulness of the workshop. It wasn’t about catching an event or a cute moment. It was about what we would say about ourselves as a family. My daughter and son both had ideas about what they wanted to do and some of that was included. We did some short interviews as well, but in the end, it was pretty much the things we do on car rides and at the dinner table — which I thought really captured our family dynamic. I really learned that we all have completely different styles and ideas about things!

What was your favorite part of the workshop? I liked watching the clips of different families. It was interesting assessing each family and what was realistic and what wasn’t. It brought out the different dynamics (real and fictional) of families. And it made me think about the idealized version of your own family versus the reality of the individual personalities in the mix of our family. My children really loved actually making the video.

What surprised you in the workshop? For the “skit” our family was given characters: father & son, place: upstate NY, event: moving 100 miles away. I was surprised at how literal our family was. Also my son and daughter just couldn’t envision a family with just a father and son, so the plot they wanted to go with was that the father and son were moving to be with the mother and daughter. To them family is the make up of our family. Most other families came up with comedies, but we went with realistic drama! It hadn’t even occurred to us to be funny!

Do you and your family look at media differently since taking the workshop? I don’t know if we look at media differently — we were already skeptical viewers! But I definitely learned a good deal about our family. Each person had really different ideas about what our family video should say about us. My husband wanted the interviews, my son wanted to perform, my daughter wanted to play a game and I wanted it to be us interacting. In the end I think we all got what we wanted and the video hopefully would give someone a pretty good idea about who we are and what we value as a family.

Highlight: Check this out!

Here’s an interesting interactive game for kids: A company calledFun and Function, which makes toys and equipment that help kids develop essential skills and provide therapies to kids with special needs, recently launched a website called ByKidsOnly.com. The site lets kids aged 5-13 design, post and vote on clothing, expressing their sense of style and personal sensitivities to things like fabric, tags, seams and other factors tied to the fit and feel of what they’re offered to wear. Every six weeks, a new category of clothing is highlighted, and registered participants on the site are able to submit and vote on ideas for that category. The current category is shirts, but dresses, skirts and pajamas are scheduled as well. The most popular designs have a chance of being incorporated into actual garments produced and made available for sale on the site. Check it out and tell your friends if you like it!

–Katherine Fry, Ph.D., LAMP Educational Director

LAMPcamp is coming!

It’s official: This summer, we will be offering a one-week media literacy summer camp through the Prospect Park YMCA! We will divide middle school-age students into separate boys and girls camp, and look at gender messages as perceived by them through the media they interact with. They’ll also learn the persuasive techniques marketers use to craft their message for each gender, and they will create their own media projects to address all of our findings. For more information about how to sign up, contact the Y at 718-768-7100.

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Gaslight: This Month in Media History

April 3, 1955: The ACLU successfully defends Alan Ginsberg’s Howland its publisher against obscenity charges.
April 12, 2000: Napster Inc. is sued by Metallica for piracy and copyright infringement.
April 13, 1964: Sydney Poitier becomes the first African American to win a Best Actor Oscar, for his role in Lilies of the Field.

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LAMP Home

LAMPpost Blog

LAMPlit Resource Guides