Wednesday, January 15, 2025

MtMwET Book Study Week 1: Call Sign Creation and Backstory Development

 As part of our first week, we needed to prepare for our "mission" by building an alias, including:

  1. Call Sign Creation
  2. Backstory Development
  3. Muppet Manifestation
Each item came with a variety of instructions and prompts.

I went to ChatGPT to work on Backstory Development and Call Sign Creation.

I started with "write a backstory for my character askcurateshare, using information about neha thakkar mlis med"

Certainly! Here's a creative backstory for your character, AskCurateShare, inspired by the professional background of Neha Thakkar, MLIS, MED:


Backstory:

AskCurateShare, known in the virtual world for their expertise in information curation, is a highly respected figure in the fields of educational technology, knowledge management, and library science. Born to a family of educators, AskCurateShare grew up with an insatiable curiosity about the world and an innate desire to help others find meaningful connections to knowledge.

As a child, they were often the go-to person for their friends and family, answering questions on a wide range of topics, from history to technology. This early interest in sharing knowledge eventually led them to pursue an academic path that bridged both information science and education. They earned a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree, learning the ins and outs of how to organize, manage, and facilitate access to vast amounts of information. Building on this foundation, they also pursued a Master’s in Education (MED), further fueling their commitment to educational equity and improving how people learn and share knowledge.

In their career, AskCurateShare became deeply involved in developing curated digital content, designing educational tools, and implementing best practices for managing information in both traditional libraries and the rapidly-evolving digital spaces of the internet. They became known for their ability to take complex subjects and present them in user-friendly formats, fostering collaboration and learning through carefully curated resources.

AskCurateShare's work became synonymous with creating and sharing knowledge in innovative ways, and they began to build a large following of learners, educators, and fellow information specialists. Through their online presence, AskCurateShare shares tips on how to curate valuable content, conduct thorough research, and engage in meaningful learning experiences.

But AskCurateShare is not just about sharing knowledge—they are driven by a larger mission. Drawing inspiration from Neha Thakkar’s passion for education, AskCurateShare advocates for improving access to quality education, bridging the digital divide, and ensuring that knowledge is accessible to everyone, no matter their background or resources. They champion open-source educational initiatives, push for greater inclusion in tech-driven learning environments, and are always on the lookout for innovative ways to incorporate diverse voices and perspectives into the educational narrative.

Today, AskCurateShare is a tireless advocate for educational technology and an expert in information curation. Whether hosting online workshops, curating digital libraries, or advising educational institutions, their goal is always the same: to share knowledge in ways that inspire, empower, and uplift others.


Then I worked on my Call Sign: "give me a better name than askcurateshare." I went through a few different iterations, you can see below. 

Sure! Here are a few alternative names for your character that could capture their expertise in knowledge curation, education, and sharing:

  1. CurioMentor

    • A blend of "curiosity" and "mentor," this name emphasizes both the pursuit of knowledge and the role of guiding others.
  2. Informatica

    • A sleek, modern name that highlights information and knowledge management in a tech-driven world.
  3. EduCuration

    • This name blends "education" and "curation," indicating a focus on curated educational content and resources.
  4. KnowledgeWeaver

    • Suggests someone who weaves together various strands of knowledge into a cohesive whole.
  5. The Curator's Compass

    • Implies a guiding force in navigating the vast world of information and education.
  6. Curatology

    • A play on "curation" and "ology" (the study of), signaling a deep expertise in the art and science of knowledge management.
  7. InfoSage

    • A name that combines "information" with "sage," reflecting wisdom and insight in the realm of knowledge sharing.
  8. WisdomCraftr

    • Combines "wisdom" and "craft" to suggest someone who carefully curates and refines knowledge.
  9. EdifyCurate

    • A fusion of "edify" (to instruct or uplift) and "curate," symbolizing an enriching approach to knowledge sharing.
  10. CurateMinds

  • A name that reflects the idea of curating and shaping minds with valuable information.

Each of these names is designed to convey a sense of authority, expertise, and commitment to education and information curation. Let me know if any of these resonate with you or if you'd like more ideas!

Sure! Here are more brand name ideas in the same vein as TechLitKids, blending technology, literature, and children's focus:

  1. ByteBookKids

    • A combination of "byte" (technology) and "book," with a focus on children's reading experiences in the digital age.
  2. FutureLitKids

    • Suggests a forward-thinking approach to children's literature, integrating future tech with reading for kids.
  3. StoryTechKids

    • A name that combines storytelling (literature) and technology, focusing on children’s stories enhanced by digital tools.
  4. CodeLitKids

    • A blend of "code" (technology) and "lit" (literature), perfect for a brand that fuses coding or tech with children's literature.
  5. TechTalesKids

    • Merging "tech" and "tales," this brand name emphasizes the intersection of technology and children's storytelling.
  6. DigitalLitKids

    • A modern twist, combining digital technology and literature with a clear focus on children.
  7. ReadTechKids

    • A straightforward name reflecting the fusion of reading, technology, and children’s education.
  8. BookTechTots

    • A playful and tech-forward name for younger audiences, indicating a blend of books, technology, and early childhood learning.
  9. LitByteKids

    • A concise name that combines "lit" (literature) and "byte" (digital), suggesting tech-enhanced literary experiences for children.
  10. TechReadTots

    • A name that highlights the use of technology to promote reading and early literacy for children.
  11. CodeBookKids

    • A playful, yet professional name that emphasizes coding and books, ideal for a brand focused on merging programming with children’s literature.
  12. TaleTechKids

    • Combining "tale" (story) with "tech," this name evokes a modern, tech-enabled approach to storytelling for children.
  13. SmartLitKids

    • A name that suggests the integration of technology to create smart, engaging literature for kids.
  14. BookBotKids

    • A tech-driven name that implies robotic or AI-driven innovations in children's literature, making books interactive.
  15. NextGenLitKids

    • Focuses on the next generation of children's literature, enhanced with technology for modern learners.

These names convey a sense of innovation, merging technology and literature in a way that resonates with the target audience of children and educational growth. Let me know if any of these work or if you'd like more options!

I landed on FutureLitKids: Suggests a forward-thinking approach to children's literature, integrating future tech with reading for kids. 

After that, I had ChatGPT rewrite my back story with FutureLitKids instead of AskCurateShare:

Certainly! Here’s an updated backstory incorporating FutureLitKids as the brand name:


Backstory:

FutureLitKids was born out of Neha Thakkar's deep passion for the intersection of technology, research, and children’s literature. A seasoned expert in library and information science, Neha recognized that the future of education and research was rapidly evolving in the digital age. Children today have access to a wealth of information, but there was a need to curate that content in ways that make learning engaging, interactive, and relevant to the modern world.

Driven by her experience in research and her dedication to enhancing educational tools, Neha founded FutureLitKids as a platform that bridges the gap between traditional storytelling and innovative technology. The mission of FutureLitKids is to transform how young readers engage with literature by incorporating digital tools, gamification, and interactive technologies. This approach helps children not only consume content but also actively engage with it, making the experience more immersive and educational.

At FutureLitKids, technology isn’t just an addition to children’s literature – it’s an integral part of the storytelling process. Through carefully curated stories, interactive ebooks, and research-backed resources, the brand aims to empower kids with the skills and imagination needed to thrive in the digital world. The platform provides innovative solutions for educators, parents, and young learners by creating a space where literature, technology, and research seamlessly come together.

Neha’s goal with FutureLitKids is to prepare children for the future by nurturing their creativity, critical thinking, and love for reading, all while ensuring they are equipped to navigate a digital and rapidly changing world. Through her work, Neha hopes to inspire a generation of readers who are not just passive consumers of content, but active creators, thinkers, and problem-solvers.


This backstory highlights the mission and values behind FutureLitKids while showcasing Neha's expertise in the fields of technology, research, and children's literature. It reflects a modern, forward-thinking approach to education, storytelling, and the digital age. Let me know if you’d like to tweak anything further!


Now to edit and put it all together for my new alias!

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Monday, January 13, 2025

MtMwET Book Study Week 1: Muppet Manifestation

As part of our first week, we needed to prepare for our "mission" by building an alias, including:
  1. Call Sign Creation
  2. Backstory Development
  3. Muppet Manifestation
Each item came with a variety of instructions and prompts.

Make yourself a muppet You need a Microsoft account, and do only have so many credits which can be frustrating, but it's super fun!

3D render of a character in the style of The Muppets with a felt texture. The character is a female librarian with long curly wavy black hair and big brown eyes. she is wearing trendy teacher outfit






3D render of a character in the style of The Muppets with a felt texture. The character is a female librarian with long curly wavy black hair and big brown eyes. she is wearing yellow cardigan and fun bookish skirt




Which one looks more like me? 




Making the Move with Ed Tech Book Club: Introduction

 After reading the introduction, here are a few takeaways:


Rethinking Edtech Frameworks and Tools 

What framework do you use? Why?

Teachers need to refine their technical skills to implement, integrate, and institutionalize tech in classrooms. 

What systems are in place to support this? (p1)     Instead of a hammer, a toolbox.

COMPUTER LITERACY    rather than app mastery

Being able to apply skills across apps rather than feeling crippled and restricted to onbly one? 

Calculators, books, etc. didn't take place of a teacher! 

Panacea (a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases) but often marketed not strategic (p2) 

21Things4.net     21 Things Project

Ed tech is lacking a how-to manual for supporting classroom best practices, there is a need for a technology integration road map (p2) 

Categories vs tools: Collaboration not just Google Drive

Critical Analysis of entire ed tech industry is not possible, remember it can be bias, have blind spots, and is usually profit driven (p9)

  • What does this technology assume about learners and the act of learning? 
  • What does this technology assume about teachers and the act of teaching?
  • What are the inherent affordances and constraints of the technology and for what additional purposes might we imagine it could be used? (p9)

  • What does this framework assume about learners and the act of learning? 
  • What does this framework assume about teachers and the act of teaching?
  • What are the inherent affordances and constraints of the framework and for what additional purposes might we imagine it could be used? (p9)

Strategy based approach "move" vs tool or framework (p10)

Learn

Groove

Make 

...the MOVE!

Resources https://www.solutiontree.com/free-resources/technology/mmwet

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Playlab.ai Kickoff!


I signed up for a Playlab.ai PLC, and we had our first meeting yesterday.










We had a crash course in custom bot building and started making very rudimentary bots. 







I originally applied for the PLC to build a custom bot to connect policy with educators in a easier way. 

I'd love to see this evolve into a tool that educators can use to advocate for their programs as the school code and policies support their programs. 


Bonus points if you can tell what voice I told it to use =)







Monday, May 17, 2021

Black Boy Joy review

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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With a veritable HIT list of African American male authors, this book is pure lyrical magical joy. I absolutely love Kwame Mbalia's work, and his short story in 3 parts does not disappoint. Jerry Craft includes a graphic novel short, and I enjoyed P. Djeli Clark's Percival and the Jab. Great addition to any middle school library!



From the description:
Celebrate the joys of Black boyhood with stories from seventeen bestselling, critically acclaimed Black authors--including Jason Reynolds (the Track series), Jerry Craft (New Kid), and Kwame Mbalia (the Tristan Strong series)!
Black boy joy is…
Saving the universe in an epic intergalactic race.
Finding your voice—and your rhymes—during tough times.
Flying on your skateboard like nobody’s watching.
And more! From seventeen acclaimed Black male and non-binary authors comes a vibrant collection of stories, comics, and poems about the power of joy and the wonders of Black boyhood.
Contributors include: B. B. Alston, Dean Atta, P. Djèlí Clark, Jay Coles, Jerry Craft, Lamar Giles, Don P. Hooper, George M. Johnson, Varian Johnson, Kwame Mbalia, Suyi Davies Okungbowa, Tochi Onyebuchi, Julian Randall, Jason Reynolds, Justin Reynolds, DaVaun Sanders, and Julian Winters.

Friday, February 26, 2021

Book Review: Muted by Tami Charles; Scholastic Press: 2021.

 

MutedMuted by Tami Charles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Damn.





This book will
                                fill you with hope
break your heart
                                write a chorus
perform your melody
                                remind you
to cherish your daughter
protect her
                                before
                                                 she
                                                                 flies
                                                                                away.




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