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Archive - August, 2008

Celebrating Blogging with BlogDay 2008

By Mike Sansone on August 31, 2008 in Blogging with 0 Comments

Today marks the 4th annual BlogDay, a chance to share and celebrate new or unknown blogs with your community. Similar to BlogTipping (do we still do that?), BlogDay extends the conversation and magnifies the voice of others.

So here’s 5 blogs I’d like to celebrate with you:

Merge Today by Cory Garrison – one of the most contagious, infectous, generous people I’ve ever met (ok…I absolutely love this guy!). He’s a true relationship builder offline. And now, he’s finally got a blog of his own. Can’t wait for him to start video blogging.
After the Launch by Shama Hayder – if you’re on Twitter or FriendFeed (and why not?), you probably know Shama. She’s a forward thinking cheerleader and SCAMPERs with the best of ‘em.
Andy Drish by Andy Drish – If he goes public, I’d buy stock in him right now! He listens, learns, and then implements and shares.
IQ Matrix Blog by Adam Sicinski – Sometimes he makes my brain hurt — but struggle sits at the doorstep of breakthrough, right? And Adam warns of a potent mix of content to help boost our brainpower.
The Donor Power Blog by Jeff Brooks – So many non-profs can benefit from Social Media. Some are blogging but still aren’t reaching the community they need to reach, offline or online. Jeff’s blog is a must read for these folks.

Happy BlogDay2008

Excellence in Education – Does Your Teacher Inspire You (or Your Child)?

By Mike Sansone on August 30, 2008 in Education with 0 Comments

Teacher
On the heels of Dalton Sherman’s inspirational video, I’d like to thank my third grade teacher (Mrs. White), the teacher of my first drafting class (Mr. Moline), and a few others for being my greatest classroom influences.

These teachers always put learners first and expected the best from me. Thank you!

I’m fortunate to work in front of and in support of many Iowa teachers. There are some fantabulous educators in our schools. And we’re coming close to the deadline to nominate these life-changing teachers from Iowa with ISEA’s 2008 Excellence in Education awards.

Your turn. Do you know an Iowa teacher who raises the bar? Download the nomination form or fill out an online version. All entries are due by September 12th.

Hat tip to Drew McLellan at IowaMoms (and dad?) for reminding me the deadline is near.

A Midnight Mouthful by Dalton Sherman (Must-See for any Teacher or Student)

By Mike Sansone on August 29, 2008 in Education, Video with 1 Comment

Do you believe in the people you teach? You better. This video is an education and inspiration if you value education at any level.

H/T to Steve Dembo at Teach 42

Putting Your Best Foot Forward

By Mike Sansone on August 29, 2008 in Blog Coach, Conversations with 0 Comments

We all want to put our best foot forward in any conversational situation. But we have to take a step, yes? Sometimes, what we want to say just doesn’t come out right, right?

We’ve all, at one time or another, said something and ended up tasting shoe leather. Y’know….put your foot in your mouth?

Me too. Online and offline. Guess what — it’s okay. Blogging should be conversational. Keep stepping.

Bottom line? Nobody is going to offer you a Pulitzer for a blog post. Just spill. And leave the best footprint you can.

Lunch n Learn with Younique

By Mike Sansone on August 27, 2008 in Brain Stew with 0 Comments

Dig this presentation from Tyler Reed at Younique

Engaging Youth Through Social & Mobile Media

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: marketing facebook)

Missing one component on slide # 6, but he catches it on # 17. Can you? Lots of important trends to watch on this one. Take notes (better yet…download it or share it).

Whistle Stops – 08/22/08

By Mike Sansone on August 22, 2008 in Whistle Stops with 0 Comments

Whistle Stops are conversations, eye-openers, or tools representing the
brain train discovered while traveling along the Convers sphere. From
business to education, lifehack to giving back, these are the posts and
links that have in some way grabbed my attention!

An Open Letter to Teachers by Bud Hunt: There are too many "money-quotes" in here to mention. A must read (not just for teachers!!)
The Joy of Simply Faffing Around by Tom Hodgkinson: Faffing? "Yeah, well…sometimes nothing can be a real cool hand."
Visual Thinking, Logic & Emotion Style by David Armano: A great library of visuals helping to make the complex simple.
Teaching With Intention – The First 20 Days by Angela "Vitamin" Maiers: Now we’re talking! Designing a Classroom and Curriculum we’ll call Education Eutopia. Keep that fire burning, Chief!
The Top 5 Ways to Keep Your Blog Content Fresh by Liz Fulghum: Liz’ tips will help you fight any blogging blues for good.
8 Essential Skills They Didn’t Teach You in School by Brian Armstrong: And they still don’t, so read this post and learn ‘em yourself
How to do More With Less Time by Chris Brogan: Chris does us all a favor and shares the tools that get him to bed earlier. Yet, 16 hours later, Chris couldn’t sleep and posted this image. G’night, Chris

Great stuff! Happy Reading.

Engagement. Creativity Trumps Clever Every Time

By Mike Sansone on August 21, 2008 in Education with 0 Comments

My friend Ryan is a bit disengaged and disheartened with his daytime gig. The powers-that-be seem to think he’s disengaged. I think he’s just bored, but he’s not in a position to move on just yet.

In hopes to boost his spirits, I invited him to join in our Fantasy Football league. The draft was last night, and Ryan did a bang up job. Focused, engaged, funny … in fact, he was a trend-setter in a couple of spots.

He used his meta-cognitive skills all night long. Critically thinking, reacting and responding to changes to his plan based on selections of the other league members. Aware of the numbers on paper and the behaviors at the table, he created a great team (and drew both frowns and smiles on the faces of other owners — including me sometimes).

I so wish his daytime authorities could see what I witnessed. I so wish he could do something else, but…Ryan is 13. And he’s a bit stuck. And it’s not his fault.

His school is trying to use clever to engage him. Math Bingo. Posterizing Books. Training him to simply pass the tests (we’ve got standards, y’know). Ryan relies on his creative juices outside of school because the school is too busy cooking clever soup. Want students engaged? Ask them to help create an engagement process (why not?) Give them a sense of ownership.

We hear this all the time in marketing. Engage the customer. Give them a sense of ownership. Why not in schools? If the answer is, "The students aren’t ready to help in that sort of planning," they should’ve seen my friend at work last night.

I’m honored to have Ryan as a friend and a peer. He is one of the smartest guys I know.

Rinse. Repeat. Rememorable.

By Mike Sansone on August 20, 2008 in Blog Coach, Education, Marketing, Video with 1 Comment

Don’t be afraid to say what you’ve said over and again…and in different ways.

RSS Readers watch the video

Twitter-ized Belief Statement ala Starbucker

By Mike Sansone on August 17, 2008 in Conversations with 0 Comments

My friend, Terry Starbucker has done it again. A couple of years ago, he started a Crash Davis Belief Statement meme. This week, he revisited his (and Crash’s), editing it down to 140 characters.

I followed suit on his first foray (here’s My Belief Statement) and it still goes strong. But, in the spirit of a challenge, I attempted to truncate mine to Twitter-friendly.

Fun stuff — and important. I always recommend that a belief statement be among the first posts on a blog. They act as a great compass.

Laura4Literacy just posted her belief/purpose statement, even Wordle-izing it. Contagious thinking!