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Coming in 2012
New videos for the new year
The writers and producers at Twisted Scholar were busy in 2011 developing and updating programs for release in 2012. Now that the new year is upon us, we’re excited to unveil the new lineup.
These programs, like our past works, are always well researched, entertaining to watch, affordable, and timely.
The Digital Blackout
Available February 2012
The Digital Blackout – Disengaging from Social Media (for awhile)
Like a time traveler visiting 1995, what would it be like to go back to an era of no email, no texting, no Facebook or Twitter?
Could you do it, and for how long? Would it make you anxious, or would it call on social skills rendered useless by the digital age?
The Digital Blackout tells the story of a Seattle-area high school that conducted just such a “Social Experiment.” They challenged their student body (and the faculty) to put away the Facebook and Twitter, the text and instant messaging, and document their experience.
Some couldn’t take it and dropped out of the experiment within a day. Others struggled, made it, but vowed never again. And yet, for a significant group the experience with the Digital Blackout was eye opening. It highlighted, among other things:
- The astounding amount of time that we devote to social networks.
- The face-to-face experiences the internet has maybe devalued.
- The stress brought on by our over-connectedness.
- And yes! The many benefits of our digitally inter-connected world that one rightly misses during the blackout.
The Digital Blackout comes as a complete kit including the DVD documentary, comprehensive facilitator’s guide, and various templates and example items (e.g. buttons, posters, certificate of completion) helpful in organizing a similar challenge in your classroom, school or youth group.
With The Digital Blackout you can plan and execute a 1-, 3- or 7-day blackout, recruit participants through Facebook and Twitter (irony duly noted), notify the local media of your experiment, and document the results using journals, videos, surveys and blogs.
Or, simply watch the DVD in class and discuss the impacts of social media.
The Digital Blackout is equal parts intriguing documentary, motivation for a fun challenge, and a fascinating social experiment for the 21st century.
The Digital Tattoo
Available March 2012
The Digital Tattoo – The perils, pitfalls and benefits of social networking
A full-faceted video that addresses the issues, challenges, dangers, and the benefits, for young people in joining Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and other social networks yet to be invented.
The Digital Tattoo takes a fun and fast-paced look at all aspects – good and bad – of the social media experience. From Facebook to Twitter, and all sites in-between, this 20-minute DVD produced by students highlights issues that are not immediately apparent to users. The Digital Tattoo examines:
- The perpetual (or tattoo-esque) nature of careless online posting that can haunt a person for many years
- How Facebook has changed the meaning of “friendship” and has made many relationships more superficial
- The viral spread of social networks and how it can unknowingly impact a person’s privacy
- The benefits of bridging the knowledge gap between parents and students and their understanding of online networking
- The addictive potential of social media
- And even the appropriate approach for sending out funny tweets, presented by a professional standup comic
The Digital Tattoo is not a program meant to scare students or their parents away from Facebook or Twitter, but to help everyone make smart choices and become savvy participants in this increasingly interconnected world.
Gum in my Hair
New Update Available March 2012
Gum in my Hair – How to Cope with Bullying 2012
One of the first and most popular anti-bullying videos Gum in my Hair: How to Cope with Bullying has been updated and revised for 2012.
Used successfully for the past ten years by thousands of schools across the country, Gum in my Hair has been updated with:
- More emphasis on the “bystander’s” role in bullying;
- New research that focuses on bullying behavior rather than bullies;
- All new interviews with acclaimed sociologists and pediatricians specializing in anti-bullying strategies;
- And an updated list of techniques for preventing bullying incidents.
Despite the new content, Gum in my Hair still maintains the fast-paced, positive energy that made the original video such a hit with kids ages 10-14.