R U OK?

R U OK?Day is a national day of action dedicated to inspiring all Australians to ask family, friends and colleagues, ‘Are you ok?’ By regularly reaching out to one another and having open and honest conversations, we can all help build a more connected community and reduce our country’s high suicide rate.

R U OK?Day is on the second Thursday of September (13 September 2012).

More than 2,200 Australians suicide each year and men are around 3 times more likely to die by suicide than females (ABS 2012). For each person that takes their life, another 30 people attempt to end their own life (SANE Australia).

Most people don't openly share their feelings, particularly if they're struggling. The best thing we can all do is regularly talk to the people we care about - regardless of whether they are at risk - because connection is good for us all.

In the time it takes to have your coffee, you can start a conversation that could change a life.

Who will you ask?
www.ruokday.com

Smoking too much?

A range of free cannabis information resources are available to order from the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre. These resources are suitable for service providers in healthcare, alcohol and drugs, youth work, law enforcement, and educational institutions. We are using them successfully here with our FLO students.
The fact sheets are lovely little pdf files that I have put on teacher laptops. you can download them here. You can also order a huge amount of free brochures, cards etc. Go for it.
www.ncpic.org.au/go/resources

Finally - the answer! It was in the EdLounge all along

Hugh (Christies Beach AP) just introduced EdLounge to me. Where have I been? Perfect for online, paced, individualised learning. Perfect for students on suspension, exclusion, in Time Out, personal tutoring, case management.
Betta get Barbie doing some lessons so she can go to the DJ workshop and/or upgrade her car.

Misuse

Ahhh the classroom and the IT issues are chronic now. Kids are being taught to misuse computers really. Lots of bad habits to squash, needing lots of engagement to get them on board...

Getting perspective with some graphs

ThoughtWorks

ThoughtWorks is a global IT consultancy

We deliver custom applications and provide consulting grounded in reality; we help organizations become efficient through Agile and Lean practices and principles. By hiring exceptional people, we can solve our clients' biggest and most pressing problems. All of our services are offered both on and offshore, and are delivered with pride and passion.

Careers | www.thoughtworks.com

Could they need me?

Paid to blog?

Today I chose a path and place for my future.
Today I chose to do 'this' full time. An expert in Cyberbullying? An expert on The Internet and teenagers?
I can take the facebook seminar/presentation to International MS conference, Middle Years conference, New teachers conference for the Union for a start. SASPA? Artists Week, Writers Week
I can help the Caregroup teacher for 8.4 to get some documents that discuss privacy settings for social networking sites like I promised.
I'm thinking a phd through research masters degree - maybe a video blog rather than a written report?
Booklets for teacher. Booklets for staff. Update twice year..
I can offer the cyber bullying for staff presentation that I ran for HSC. Create own video's?
Seminar for counsellors? MSN & Facebook:Management of reports of bullying on the net.

IPP Digital Media - Industry consultation forum

How can you tell who the most employable geek is? He's the one looking at your shoes - not his own!
This and much much more came from our gathering today at ABC studio's.
A REALLY useful event both for me as a Multimedia teacher and someone interested in entering the Multimedia industry.
I was fortunate to sit on the Gaming stream that attracted the best professionals;
Steven Ready from Digital Lamb
Shane Bevan from Monkeystack
Richard Taylor from Holopoint
Peta Pash from Mega
Hamish Park from DTED (Government)
Their collective suggestions included;
Good Gamers are

• aware of the components that go into making a game and which bits they do best
• able to traverse diverse visual platforms ie Flash, 3D, Multiplayer modalities etc
  
• are generalists that specialise
• able to show a product and explain how they got it
• demonstrate diverse processes for achieving creative goals
• are explicit about the differing visual platforms and able to name the similarities and differences
• have purposeful exercises in their folio and can explain (why does your avatar look that way?)
• have consulted widely and sought extensive feedback on their products
• have considered differing user types
• can show where they started and where they finished and how that happened (folio)
• are willing to work on someone else's design concept as passionately as their own
• have artistic flair, technical merit and present polished products
• are able to crossover the artistic and technical bridge
• are good business managers and have some entrepreneurial traits
• are excellent problem solvers and troubleshooters
  
• are able to network

phew......

Peta referred to Digital Industry Education Forum findings from investigating the pathway for 20 000 graduates that the most essential things are the 'soft' skills;

• communication
• understanding of how the company works and your place in it
• are able to articulate design concepts
• and are problem solvers

Shane said a good test for your game is that you can test the interface with a peer without hovering over their shoulder.
Richard talked about game mechanics theory. Where's the game play? This could be with an iphone app or a multiplayer roleplay game.
Both spoke about 'What happens after you push the start button'. What sort of 'experience' is it for your user?

Get started on your folio!

www.digitallamb.com.au
www.holopoint.com.au
www.monkeystack.com.au
www.southaustralia.biz
www.mega.org.au

The Cat Piano

Monkeystack Incubator for Digital Artists

Incubator Showreel from Monkeystack on Vimeo.

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ‘THE STACK’

At MONKEYSTACK, they provide high quality cross media solutions such as 2D and 3D animation, visual fx, motion graphics, product visualization, architectural walkthroughs and games. Their expertise covers a broad range of Digital Media including television, film and web. Their high profile clients include the likes of DefenceSA, Schneider Electric, SAAB, Hills Industries and Nike amongst many others.

They are proud to say we’ve won several awards for developing high quality Children’s animation and game content including AIMIA, ATOM awards as well as working closely with local broadcasters including ABC,SBS and Nickelodeon developing several children’s entertainment properties.

With strong new media, commercial and animation production experience, MONKEYSTACK is well placed to develop and produce quality digital content across multiple platforms and delivery models.

CONTACT

Level 1/84 Hindley Street
Adelaide, South Australia 5000
p: +61 8 8212 6216
monkeys@monkeystack.com.au
www.monkeystack.com.au