Fall Update from TEL.A.VISION
Posted on 16. Dec, 2010 by Ringmaster in All Posts, Story of TEL.A.VISION, TEL.A.VISION News
Up With People
In October I visited Washington DC to watch the Up With People show, then followed the cast to Harrisonburg, Virginia to teach a select group of cast members and the management team about TEL.A.VISION. Up With People is a group of International students that travel the world bringing a message of peace, hope and possibility. They have been doing this since 1965.
In January I will be training their whole cast in TEL.A.VISION and beginning our vision of bringing vision videos to 6th grade students in communities they travel to. In addition to the 80 cast members we hope to work with the 20,000 alumni and have them bring TEL.A.VISION to their communities.
Spark.A.Vision
In November I participated in the Big Tent Conference in Houston. We created a new product called Spark.A.Vision. It is a combination of Dr. Peter Benson’s work on Sparks and TEL.A.VISION. Dr. Benson’s research has shown that what every young person needs for a successful upbringing is to find his/her spark in life and have three adults support them. TEL.A.VISION is a way to help a young person identify their spark and share it with the world. We had a fabulous response in Houston and look forward to collaborating to bring this to the world. W believe this work could be enhanced by proposed regulations to begin Career and College Preparedness with students in sixth grade.
Here is a video where students talk about their experience creating Spark.A.Vision videos.
TIES Conference
In December Bob Dockendorf, Gwen Toppe and I presented at the TIES Conference. Bob is the Principal of Big Lake High School. This fall Big Lake held “Transition Day” for all ninth graders on the first day of school. Every ninth grader began a TEL.A.VISION video on that day. Teachers created videos that they shared with the students. They talked to the students about the importance of having a vision for their lives. At the conference Bob shared stories of the difference the program has made with individual students and initial results from the vision videos. These results included a 2.6% increase in attendance and a 30% drop in the number of write ups for disciplinary problems.
Foundation Grants
This fall we received a Community Grant from the Best Buy Foundation to fund expansion of TEL.A.VISION in Twin Cities Schools. In 2011 we will be funding research on TEL.A.VISION’s effectiveness and a number of pilot programs for At Risk youth. With a grant from the Rothmann Family Foundation we have funded programs including the use of TEL.A.VISION by youth at the Mercy Center in Bangkok, http://www.mercycentre.org. Mercy Center is a hospital for children with AIDS. They will be creating vision videos to send to their sponsors.
If you know of any foundations or organizations you think would be interested in helping fund TEL.A.VISION please let us know.
Quotes from Nebraska High School Students
This fall we received testimonials from High School Students in Nebraska who had completed vision videos. In this blog post we share some of the quotes. Here is one of our favorites: “Thank you soooo much I was really having a tough time in my life and wasnt really paying attention to anything. I drank and I was even considering joining a gang but now this has really just set me back an my path and I can actually see wer im going so thank you.”
Viktor Frankl and the Importance of Vision
Posted on 15. May, 2010 by Ringmaster in Power of Vision
In this rare clip from 1972, legendary psychiatrist and Holocaust-survivor Viktor Frankl delivers a powerful message about the human search for meaning — and the most important gift we can give others.
TEL.A.VISION White Paper Validates Neuroplasticity is Key to Drop Out Prevention
Posted on 15. Feb, 2010 by Ringmaster in All Posts
MINNEAPOLIS (February 15, 2010) –TEL.A.VISION, the proven Web 2.0 online curriculum that inspires youth to create and share visions of hope and possibility through personal “vision videos” released a white paper that documents the — importance of “neuroplasticity,” that thoughts can rewire the brain. This demonstrates the need to promote positive thoughts and eliminate negative thinking. When students envision hope and possibilities it attributes to them staying in school and graduating
TEL.A.VISION’s white paper was researched and written by Dr. Christy Chamber, Past President of the Council of Administrators for Special Education, Special Education Superintendent and renowned special education expert.
“ Our Special Ed students often see themselves as their disability,” said Dr. Christy Chambers. “TEL.A.VISION helps them see their “distinguished abilities” and by sharing their videos with teachers, friends and family gives them a support system to help them achieve their goals.”
TEL.A.VISION has proven to be successful with all students, but especially those at risk and those receiving special educations services. The program engages students in a meaningful way, allows their voices to be heard, has improved AYP and helps to decrease the dropout rate.
“The average TEL.A.VISION video is watched 73 times in a one year period. This “neuroplastic training” strengthens the brain through repetition, just like a weak muscle, and helps the brain to pay attention to daily occurrences that can help students achieve their goals,” stated George Johnson of TEL.A.VISION.
Our nation’s youth are dropping out of school at an alarming rate because they have no hope and do not see the relevance of the curriculum to their futures. It is important that we realize the impact on society of our youth with no hope who are dropping out of school.
About TEL.A.VISION
TEL.A.VISION was created by former Special Education teacher turned entrepreneur, George Johnson. TEL.A.VISION is a Web 2.0 online curriculum that inspires youth to create and share visions of hope and possibility through personal “vision videos”. The TEL.A.VISION technology platform was designed for all youth, but the focus is the Special Education and At Risk student. To download the white paper go to http://telavision.tv/white-paper/
Use in a High School Classroom
Posted on 02. Jan, 2010 by Ringmaster in All Posts
We caught up with Lanise Block, a teacher at Henry High School in Minneapolis, at the recent TIES Conference. Here is what she had to say about about using TEL.A.VISION in her classroom.
7th Graders realize ” I Can Make A Difference in the World”
Posted on 28. Dec, 2009 by Ringmaster in All Posts, Power of Vision
Mr Amaral, a Global Concepts teacher, is beginning his third year of bringing TEL.A.VISION to every 7th grader at Oakland Junior High. Here is what he had to say about TEL.A.VISION. “TEL.A.VISION makes my students think about themselves in the world. It helps them think about what they could be. It is an opportunity for them to take control of their lives and realize they can make a difference in the world.”
“I see past students in the hallways almost every day who tell me how cool the vision video assignment was and how they still watch it. One 9th grader told me she watched her video the other day and has decided not to be a lawyer but instead wants to become a teacher.”
Here are what some of Mr. Amaral’s students said in their blog posts:
“I learned I have the capability to do whatever I hope and dream for my life.”
“I was so proud of my telavision!! I encourage others to do this to, it is a great experience.”
“My mom and dad were very proud of me when I did my tel.a.vison project. My Mom’s eyes got a little teary.”
“This was our best homework assignment we did all year.”
“Now that I put it out there for everyone to see my goals and dreams there are more people who are believing me and cheering me on.”
And finally there was the girl who had not completed an assignment all year who completed her TEL.A.VISION. She wrote in her blog,”It’s about time that someone asked us what we think.“
Research points to the importance of instilling hope and optimism in youth
Posted on 15. Jun, 2009 by Ringmaster in All Posts, Power of Vision
University of Minnesota Medical School researcher Iris Borowsky, M.D., Ph.D., and colleagues found that one in seven adolescents believe that it is highly likely that they will die before age 35, and this belief predicted that the adolescents’ would engage in risky behaviors.
“While conventional wisdom says that teens engage in risky behaviors because they feel invulnerable to harm, this study suggests that in some cases, teens may take risks because they overestimate their vulnerability, specifically their risk of dying,” Borowsky said. “These youth may take risks because they feel hopeless and figure that not much is at stake.”
This fatalistic view varied notably across social groups with significant differences by sex, race/ethnicity, family structure, and receipt of public assistance. More than 29 percent of American-Indian, 26 percent of African-American, 21 percent of Hispanic, and 15 percent of Asian youth reported believing they would die young—compared with 10 percent of their Caucasian peers. Nearly 25 percent of youth living in households that received public assistance also shared this belief.
“Our findings reinforce the importance of instilling a sense of hope and optimism in youth,” Borowsky said. “Strong connections with parents, families, and schools, as well as positive media messages, are likely important factors in developing an optimistic outlook for young people.”
Native Americans, blacks and low-income teens – kids who are disproportionately exposed to violence and hardship – were much more likely than whites to believe they’d die young.
“We know some things about how to promote optimism and hope in youth,” Borowsky explained. “Parents matter — involved, caring, connected parents,” she said. “Schools matter — school connectedness, creating a climate where students feel a part of their school and safe at school, and media matters — given the power of media to convey both positive and negative messages to a large audience of young people.”
TEL.A.VISION on Television: Our Founder on KARE-TV
Posted on 17. Mar, 2009 by Ringmaster in All Posts, Media, Story of TEL.A.VISION, TEL.A.VISION News
Since its inception, TEL.A.VISION has been well received by educators, youth leaders and students. Most recently, we’ve seen the media embrace TEL.A.VISION as well. From the Christian Science Monitor to FOX-TV, reporters nationwide are noticing TEL.A.VISION and its potential. More importantly, these reporters “get it.” They get that now more than ever we need more hope and positivity in the world, and that hope for a better future is best instilled in tomorrow’s leaders – our youth.
Yesterday, TEL.A.VISION founder George Johnson joined KARE-TV’s Diana Pierce for a live segment discussing TEL.A.VISION and the upcoming TEL.A.VISION Day on March 20th. In three minutes, George took Diana and KARE’s audience on a tour of TEL.A.VISION, including his motivation for founding it and the simple process for creating a vision video. Additionally, our “Vision for America” contest also was highlighted, and people nationwide were encouraged to enter their vision for America video by midnight this Thursday.
The next media outlet to catch on to our movement? Minnesota’s own Cities 97. Tune in this Friday morning, TEL.A.VISION Day, as George joins morning show host B.T. from the NYLC conference in Nashville. If you miss the live segment, don’t worry. Check back here for full audio.
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