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FableVision’s Digital Backpack!

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New clothes, crisp notebook pages waiting to be written in, the smell of freshly sharpened pencils. There’s nothing quite like the excitement of going back to school. The start of school promises a fresh set of opportunities to either keep on track or think about ways to do things differently.

Here at FableVision, we’re gearing up for the back-to-school season with our own list of must-have tools for new-year success. From the top techie to the new old schoolers, this list has something for everyone! What’s on your must-have list this fall?

For the Task Keepers

Unabashedly into organizing information, you need just the right digital tools
and management systems to keep you on-track from deadline to deliverable.

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Trello
Mitul Daiyan, Marketing Coordinator
Trello is a project management tool that helps me track the various projects on my plate. This is just the right app for people like me who prefer to have a digital checklist of their tasks that they can access from anywhere. I use it at FableVision for events I’m managing and for my personal life with boards for meals I’m prepping for the week! I can add due dates and team members to different cards for collaborative work. I can't cheer about Trello enough, I use it in tandem with Gmail Tasks and I’m ready to tackle every week.

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Wunderlist
Brian Grossman, Technical Director
Everything I have in my life, I owe to my task list. Without it, I wouldn’t get anything done. I have a surprisingly bad memory and as a result, I have trained myself to write everything down in a task list — everything. I am currently using an app called Wunderlist as my task list. It allows me to keep multiple lists, assign due dates, and synchronize them between my computer and phone. I find it to be just the right amount of functionality for my needs. What about spontaneity? How about doing something fun that’s not on the list? I couldn’t agree more… I guess that why I never finish everything on my list.

For the Nifty DIY-ers

There’s nothing more satisfying than using something you made with your own hands.

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DIY Pencil Case
Jordan Bach, Senior Developer
Making your own pencil case is the perfect way to counter the end-of-summer blues. Hand make a little pouch using your favorite fabrics and add a matching or non-matching zipper. Use it to carry around your pencils, colored pencils, markers, and maybe even a little notepad or an iPad Pencil. When life gets hectic, you can write or sketch it out. And you'll have a pleasing reminder of your creative side. Here are some ideas to help you get started!

For the Pro-gamers and Programmers

Gaming is serious business and you can’t wait to help others gamify their projects to get their noggins ticking!

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Game Design Toolkit
Peter Stidwill, Senior Producer
FableVision Studios and Learning Games Network (LGN) partnered to create the Game Design Tool Kit (GDTK), a free online resource designed to help teachers incorporate game design strategies in their curriculum. This comprehensive handbook is offered at no cost for educators and includes a lesson plan guide, research and design prompts, step-by-step instructions, and discussion guides.

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Scratch
Margarita Dekoli, Senior Developer
Scratch is a free programming language and online community where kids can create their own interactive stories, games, and animations. Learners are able to explore, tinker, or play with different parameters and permutations. By allowing kids to write their own code, you allow them to explore what they are building and to refine their thinking over time through experimentation and tweaks. Plus it’s really accessible and fun!

For the Top Techie

You get misty eyed thinking about your old Trapper Keeper
and you’re big on new gadgets with that old-school cool.

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iPad Pro, Apple Pencil, and Moleskine App
Leigh Hallisey, Creative Director
There are few thing in life that make me happier than new school supplies. I loved them as a child, and I’m so happy that having a kid gives me an excuse to enjoy the start of the year at least nine more times. My favorite BTS bundle this year is an iPad Pro, Apple Pencil, and Moleskine App. The Moleskine App allows me to choose from multiple styles of paper notes, sketches, and storyboarding. I use my Apple Pencil for digital notetaking and sketches. I love having all of my stuff in one place. (Not Lisa Frank folders and smencils love, but close.)

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Wacom Cintiq/Companion Portable Tablet
Keith Zulawnik, Lead Artist
One thing that has been super beneficial to my work has been using a Wacom Cintiq Companion. I've been using an Intuos for years and wanted to switch over to a Cintiq but always felt they were a bit unwieldy on the desk. Wacom released the mobile version a few years ago (the Companion) and I've been hooked ever since! You can't beat being able to work anywhere; it makes drawing digitally feel more natural, like a sketchbook. I get to work on the train, and most importantly, not be locked down to my desk all the time. The past month I actually switched over to their newest model, which has been rebranded from the Companion to the Mobile Studio Pro. It's really an amazing machine. If you’re looking for an alternative then the Apple iPad Pro with the Apple Pencil or the Microsoft Surface Pro are great options. Keep in mind that the iPad does not offer full versions of some software including Photoshop, but you can download an app called Procreate which is an excellent alternative.

For the New Old Schoolers

You favor the analog way of documenting and make no apologies for
your love of physical lists, notebooks, and shiny office supplies!

Bullet Journaling
Sarah Ditkoff, Marketing and Client Services Manager
I've always used a combination of my digital work calendar and written lists to stay organized. Bullet journaling is a customizable analog system that's gotten pretty trendy over the last couple years. I recently started using a simplified version of the logging system in a grid-style Moleskine. On the left page, I map out my week to help prioritize tasks: meetings, important deadlines, and larger announcements or deliverables. On the right, I "bucket" my tasks into categories that change depending on what I'm working on. Right now, I'm organizing on-ramping tasks for our new marketing interns and planning workflows for upcoming events this fall. Brightly colored sticky-notes let me add informal reminders for myself.

David Welsh, Marketing Intern
I like to keep organized in a notebook, so I’ve adopted some ideas from bullet journaling. I like the Moleskine Professional notebooks because each page is segmented into three areas. I keep the current day’s tasks at top, future tasks along the side, and use the body for lengthier notes and thoughts. With the start of the new semester, I need notebooks for writing, schoolwork, and my internship here at FableVision. I found a budget spiral bound notebook at Target (a medium Miquelrius Hemisphere) that is separated into four color-coded sections. I use blue for my calendar, red for FableVision, gray for school, and green for everything else. There is no substitute for dependable pen and paper.

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MUJI, Tea, and Totes
Samantha Bissonnette, Producer
Although most of my work is digital, my physical tools are just as important in keeping me organized! Like Sarah and David, I love my trusty Moleskine notebook. I also love the notebooks and stationery at MUJI — they have tons of classic lightweight notebooks and fun stamps too! In addition to my notebooks, I like to have one trusty bag that’s large enough for me to carry everything I need, but small enough that it won’t weigh me down when I ride my bike or take the T. This leather bag is the perfect fit! And although my little tea infuser shown here broke, I love loose leaf tea, so a fun tea infuser will be the best addition to my work space.

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September FableFriday: Sam Bissonnette, Producer

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Samantha “Sam” Bissonnette is holding educational media to a high standard – and it’s an interactive one. The newest producer at the studio, Sam is no stranger to FableVision, having spent time honing her skills as a 2013 intern in our marketing department. Since then, Sam has ventured deeper into media production, managing streaming content on the digital team at PBS KIDS, working as a production assistant on shows like WordGirl and Astroblast!, and consulting with Sesame Workshop on innovating in the early education field. After graduating from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education (HGSE), Sam returns to FableVision armed with a renewed passion for producing educational media. Among other things, she’s constantly thinking about how our favorite properties positively impact our lives – no matter your age.

“I’m really excited about interactive experiences through streaming media. Specifically, there’s a lot of conversation that says TV is a passive experience, and I disagree – the best shows and stories start conversation and action,” Sam shares. “People feel moved to make fan art, express their thoughts about characters online, or host viewing parties. I’m really excited to be able to think about harnessing this excitement at FableVision Studios and make it easier for people to interact with media, especially in an educational space.”

Pull up a chair and get to know Sam’s thoughts on personalized learning, rich production past, and her enthusiastic love for food, Pokémon, and a certain BIG puppy in this month’s FableFriday.

Sam, tell us about your journey to FableVision story!
My journey (back!) to FableVision started after my internship with the marketing team here in 2013. Inspired to continue working in the edtech industry, I worked several different jobs in the children’s media space and finished graduate school. I heard there was a job opening at FableVision Studios so I interviewed with Executive Producer Karen Bresnahan and Senior Producer Peter Stidwill. Before I knew it, I was welcomed back into the FableVision team!

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The role of producer is often mysterious as they’re creatively working behind the scenes to pull everything together. Can you give us a crash course on your role at FableVision?
Producers at FableVision have the exciting task of managing projects that come in all shapes and sizes. We think about the project as a whole and work to keep the client’s vision at the forefront of the team’s mind every step of the way. Producers have a hand in shaping and guiding each project towards delivery. I get to constantly learn more about art, tech, and design – all things I love! At FableVision, we’re fortunate to work on a broad range of media, so every day and every project feels different.

As a producer you have to stay organized, what’s your trick?
I like to record everything as much as possible – I have three notebooks, one schedule book, and lots of calendars! I can type pretty quickly too, so I tend to transcribe meetings and conversations whenever possible.

What’s a favorite project that you’re working on now?
It’s so hard to choose! FableVision’s work with The Good Project is especially important to me. Through research-based concepts, frameworks, and resources, The Good Project seeks to help students reflect upon the ethical dilemmas that arise in everyday life and give them the tools to make thoughtful decisions. It was my first kickoff as a part of the FableVision team, and it ties perfectly with my experience at Harvard Graduate School of Education. Plus it involves a lot of content I feel passionate about, like social/emotional development.

Hats off to the new graduate! You recently matriculated from HGSE, tell us about what you studied in the Technology, Innovation, and Education (TIE) program?
As a member of the 2017 TIE cohort, I explored courses in design, entrepreneurship, animation, inclusive education, race and culture in education, and of course, children’s media! The program is really hands-on, so it involved a lot of awesome group projects and collaboration with students from a variety of professional backgrounds. I feel really fortunate to have spent a year growing professionally in such a supportive and creative environment.

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Before heading off to grad school, you managed the streaming content on the digital team at PBS KIDS. What are some of the insights you gleaned from curating digital content for kids?
The PBS KIDS Video app is so successful in part because it has such great design, and it’s really made with the target audience in mind. It was important for our team to constantly be thinking about how our young audience was seeing our videos. One interesting thing we realized was that marking a video as “new” didn’t necessarily alert kids to brand new content – partly because we have a lot of early readers as viewers. This meant that we could regularly repurpose content along with current pieces to maintain a level of variety.

You spent some time teaching in the classroom. Do you have any takeaways from your time as a teacher?
My time as a preschool teacher was so valuable and it shapes the way I understand, think about, and appreciate children and early educators. As a child development major in undergrad I had a firm understanding of why early education is so important, but being a part of that growth really brought it home for me. Children zero to five can do so much more than I had imagined. Plus, they’re imaginative, creative, honest, and fun. Early educators are smart, dedicated, and passionate people that deserve all our support. 

Who are some industry folks that you’re following these days and how do they inspire you to follow your North Star?Women in media like Rebecca Sugar, Issa Rae, and the ladies of Broad City and 2DopeQueens who are leading the way in their genres are all really inspiring to me. They let their own unique perspectives be their creative guide rather than trying to make more of what is already out there.

Last year's Extra Life team at FableVision Studios

Last year's Extra Life team at FableVision Studios

This is your first year gaming for good and raising funds for Boston Children’s Hospital with us for Extra Life! Why are you excited to join our team?
I’m super excited for Extra Life! Boston is my home and I’m proud that Boston Children’s Hospital is one of the best hospitals in the country. I’m excited to support an organization that brings so much necessity and good into the lives of kids and their families. I’m also looking forward to working with Team FableVision to beat our goal of $6,000!


 

Who is Kovu?
Kovu the dog! My fiancé Andy and I adopted Kovu as a rescue puppy a few years ago while we were living outside D.C. He’s nostalgically named after Kovu from Lion King 2, because we both happened to love the movie as kids and it’s such a great name! Kovu is about 90 lbs, and we think a Boxer, Great Pyrenees, Staffordshire mix. Maybe. He’s very lovable, strange, lazy, sleepy, and friendly. He loves belly rubs, playing with little kids, and swimming in lakes. He’s always making us laugh and we love him a lot!

As a traveling foodie, tell us about the top three international places to visit and eat our way through.

More about Sam!

Hogwarts house: I want to say Gryffindor, but I think I’m a Hufflepuff.
Your current jam: Bright Whites by Kishi Bashi
Current read: My professor’s book – The Diversity Bargain by Natasha Warikoo
Best Cartoon Ever: Ohhhhh, don’t make me choose! If I have to, my favorite anime is School Live! (Gakkō Gurashi!)
Food that makes you look like a cooking connoisseur: My Cincinnati Chili! (Thanks, America’s Test Kitchen!)
Greatest holiday: Halloween!!!!
Favorite Pokemon: Vulpix (fire types forever!) 
Tell us a joke: This is my favorite thing on the internet.
Hands-down the best sports team:  The Tufts Women’s Track and Field team!

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Closer by the Mile: A FableVisionary’s Pan-Mass Challenge Adventure

FableVision's Mikaela Johnson (right) and her friend and PMC riding teammate Rebecca Epstein (left).

FableVision's Mikaela Johnson (right) and her friend and PMC riding teammate Rebecca Epstein (left).

Two weekends ago, I participated in my first-ever Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC). Alongside the incredibly inspiring, resilient group of riders on Team Freeman-Clayton, I rode from Wellesley, MA to Bourne, MA. After hearing amazing stories about the PMC experience from many folks—including FableVision’s Adam Landry (a Pan-Mass veteran of nine years!)—and watching my dad ride with this team for nine years, I decided to join Team Freeman-Clayton in its charge to find a cure.

For 38 years now, the Pan-Mass Challenge has drawn in thousands of cyclists from all over the U.S. and beyond to raise money for The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. It is a massive fundraising event that, according to its site, “raises more money for charity than any other athletic fundraising event in the country.”

The Pan-Mass Organization prides itself on being more than a cause—it’s a catalyst. I found these words to be true, even before the race had started. At the starting line, all of the cancer survivors riding were asked to raise their hands. An astonishing amount of riders raised their hands high and proud. They were amongst the hundreds of riders who were all working together to make “cancer-free” a reality for everyone, and help survivors maintain their good health. For me, those individuals were my catalyst; this was the humbling moment of realization that this was the reason why I was riding. This was the story that I would hold on to every mile of the way.

Every rider, volunteer, and sideline supporter brings a different story, a different reason for making the trek. Every mile of the ride was fueled by these stories and by kind words of encouragement by the spectators and volunteers. While each story is unique, they’re all based around one common goal—finding a cure. People told their stories through posters, drawings, signs, costumes, and displays of photographs of victims and survivors. Parents and friends of parents of cancer survivors or victims told their child’s story through their helmet decorations. Characters that offered comfort during those difficult times whizzed past me all weekend—Kermit the Frog, toy trucks, origami animals, Thomas the Tank Engine.

My experience reaffirmed the power that storytelling has to connect us and bring us down to earth, to teach and to inspire. I’m fortunate to be a part of a mission-driven community at FableVision, where the work I do revolves around a commitment to making the world a better place through media and storytelling. We’re constantly looking for ways to inspire creativity, foster learning, and most importantly, to motivate positive change in our world.

Though we pride ourselves on the contributions we make in the world of educational media, we also seek out ways to help our community more generally, whether that be running the Cambridge 5K Yulefest for Cambridge Family and Children's Services, partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, busting out the board games for Extra Life, the 24-hour gaming fundraiser for Boston Children’s Hospital (more broadly for the Children’s Miracle Network), or collecting toys and presents as part of the Adopt-A-Family program with The Home For Little Wanderers.

I am so proud to have been able to participate in an event that helps get us so much closer to a cure. It was inspiring how much support and encouragement there was each step of the way, from volunteers passing out food at each stop to the little kids holding up signs and cheering on their front lawns as hundreds of riders zoomed past their houses.

The ride was full of inspiring stories, laughter, gratitude, and memories. Most importantly, the ride was full of life and full of hope. Hope took form in posters, fliers, decorated t-shirts, photographs, the faces of cancer warriors.

I learned about the power of optimism, support, community, and resilience. I learned that every ounce of support makes a difference.

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More about Mikaela Johnson, Production Assistant
Born and raised in Needham, MA, Mikaela earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Colby College. At Colby, Mikaela was a member of the women’s squash team and worked as a research assistant in the Child Development Lab. While at the Lab, she spent hours in preschool classrooms collecting data for studies pertaining to children’s cognition. Prior to FableVision, Mikaela developed her passion for educational media during her two summers interning at WGBH, first as a radio intern for On Campus and then as a production assistant for High School Quiz Show. Read more about Mikaela. 

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Postcards from Georgia

When my best friend Emily moved to Georgia to pursue a PhD in school psychology, I was excited for her and a little apprehensive—she was moving to a new state that I had never visited and didn’t know much about. So when FableVision Studios forged a partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) to create Georgia Race Through Time, a phenomenal new game-based learning tool that teaches 8th graders about Georgia history, I was beyond thrilled. Through Savannah, the talented antiques dealer and Georgia Race Through Time’s protagonist, and her trusty dog Peaches, I was able to learn more about my best friend’s new home and feel connected to a state I had never been to.

When GPB and FableVision launched Georgia Race Through Time, I immediately shared the game with Emily. Being both an educator and student, she instantly fell in love with it. Inspired by the game and whisked away by the charming postcards FableVision designed to show specific historic locations, Emily and I devised a plan to explore a portion of the Peach State with a road trip from Atlanta to Savannah. On June 23, Emily and I hit the road as we set off for the very same cities explored by Savannah and Peaches. With postcards from the game, allow me to give you a glimpse of our own Race-Through-Time-inspired trip!

Atlanta is Emily’s new home and the first stop on our trip. With Emily as tour guide, I was able to see the bustling city that emerged from the ashes of the Civil War. I visited Georgia State University where Emily works and goes to school, the massive Georgia Aquarium, and ate delicious southern BBQ. In the evening, I got a rooftop view of the State Capitol Building’s golden dome glistening against the night sky.

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Nestled in the heart of Georgia, not too far from the mountains or ocean, is the second stop on our trip. Macon is a city rich with history, landmarks, and incredible music. We spent an hour soaking up the place “where soul lives.” In Macon, there’s always an event or festival. To blend in with the locals, we explored a farmer’s market where we picked up Cajun boiled peanuts (an absolute road trip must!) and, of course, Georgia peaches! 

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You can’t visit the Georgia coast without visiting one of the Barrier Islands! With our sunglasses and picnic basket in tow, we set off for the beach on Tybee Island. From being a hot spot for pirates looking to hide their loot, to playing an important military role during the American Civil War, to being a popular beach town getaway for nearby residents, Tybee is the place to be if you want to escape the Georgia heat and humidity with cooling saltwater breezes.

The namesake of Georgia Race Through Time’s main character and the final destination of our trip, this coastal city is bursting with southern charm! A strategic port city during the American Revolution and American Civil War, Savannah is Georgia’s oldest city. We lunched at the famous Gryphon Tea Room, a converted apothecary across the street from the prestigious Savannah School of Art and Design (SCAD). Part of what gives Savannah its charm is the oak trees branches draped in Spanish moss that line the streets and public squares. We came across a series of these on Jones Street, voted one of the most beautiful streets in all of North America!

Emily and Mitul in Macon, Georgia

Emily and Mitul in Macon, Georgia

Georgia is a picturesque state dotted with vibrant cities that have rich stories to tell. There’s still much of the Peach State I have yet to explore and so much history I have yet to learn. With my pals Emily, Savannah, and Peaches continuing to foster my love for the state and all that it has to offer, I’m looking forward to having Georgia on my mind again soon.

Play the free game here and discover for yourself the history behind the glorious state of Georgia!

The adventure isn’t over! GPB and FableVision are hoping to bring our team of playful experts to SXSWedu 2018 to share how media developers, public broadcasters, and educators came together to pioneer Georgia Race Through Time and increase student engagement. We're hoping to bring our team of playful experts to SXSWedu 2018 in our session “Immersive Learning: Teaching History Through GBL.” But we need your help to get there—yes, you!

Session attendees will learn how to:

  • Reach the notoriously hard-to-engage adolescent audience and extend that engagement from the classroom to home and back again;
  • Receive tips or insights on how to successfully merge primary documents with modern technology for a unique game experience;
  • Leverage collaboration across disciplines to produce a game-based learning approach to improving students' learning performance.

Get the insider info to rock the power of your PanelPicker vote and help us get to Austin. Click here to read more about our session and vote! 

 

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August FableFriday: Lori Cooney, Project Coordinator and Universal Instructional Design Specialist at UMass Boston's Institute for Community Inclusion

Lori Cooney is no stranger to the phrase “follow your dreams.” As project coordinator and universal instructional design specialist at University of Massachusetts Boston’s Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI), she understands that in order to plan for a career trajectory that you can be proud of, it’s helpful to take some time to learn more about yourself as a person by determining what your goals and interests are. That’s why, together with FableVision Studios, she heads up the development of Future Quest Island, an online adventure game that prepares students for college and career readiness. For over four years, ICI and FableVision have worked together to create a game that stays true to the mission of supporting students of all ages and abilities to follow their dreams.

“I want all students to discover and learn about the many career options available to them in this world, and would like to see them apply their individual skills and interests to planning for high school and life after high school to develop an Individualized Learning Plan that they can monitor throughout their educational career,” shares Lori. “I want students (with and without disabilities) to dream big about their future careers, become self-determined and recognize their postsecondary options so they can start planning early and do the best they can to reach their goals.”

Dive in for a deeper look at the core values that drive all of ICI’s efforts, the game that’s getting kids excited about planning for their future, and learn about Lori’s professional background in teaching and communications—as well as her stint with stardom on the big screen!                                                                           

How did you decide on your career trajectory when you were younger?
When I was a child I wanted to be two things: a famous actress and a teacher. I started babysitting and working with kids in middle school, throughout high school and in college. As a high school student, I volunteered in an afterschool program with students with special needs and was a Respite care provider in college for my cousin with Down syndrome and autism. Ironically, I went to college to be a teacher, but transferred and received my degree in marketing and communications from Emerson College. I spent some time working in advertising and sales, while pursuing my acting career. Right after college, I was signed by an agency in New York and was in some commercials, on MTV, and was an extra in a movie. After that, I jumped into sales so I could travel Europe.

Eventually, I settled down, got married, and went back to school to be a teacher. I had my daughter and received my Masters in Technology Education from Lesley University all at the same time in 2002. I have been working in education ever since. Acting and teaching are very much alike. I never in my wildest dreams would have guessed I’d be here today designing and implementing a research-based college and career-readiness game for all students, funded by the Federal Office of Special Education Programs. I am very proud and extremely grateful for this opportunity and am looking forward to seeing where the wind takes me as I continue with my adventurous career.

How have you noticed the education technology industry changing since you first entered it?
It’s interesting to me how quickly things change in technology education and how inexpensive it is today to get a device in the hands of a student with mobile devices and Chromebooks. The most valuable change in technology education is the ease of using mobile devices for assistive technology. The built-in features on iOS and Android devices provide individuals with access that is cost-effective, readily available and extremely powerful. This levels the playing field for all individuals with all kinds of disabilities.

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ICI strives to create a world where all people with disabilities are welcome and fully included in valued roles wherever they go. Tell us more about how ICI seeks to accomplish this goal.
All of our efforts stem from one core value: that people with disabilities are more of an expert than anyone else. For over 40 years, Institute for Community Inclusion has worked on both a national and international capacity to create a more inclusive world for people with disabilities. Our core mission is to ensure that people with disabilities are given the same opportunities to dream big and make their dreams a fully included, integrated, and welcomed reality whether it’s at a school, workplace, volunteer group, home, or any other part of the community.

You wear many hats at ICI! What is a universal instructional design specialist?
A universal instructional design specialist is a unique position that combines Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and instructional design strategies (i.e. online learning, blended learning, varied assessments) to ensure that a tailored curriculum is delivered and accessed through multiple formats and methods so that all students can demonstrate knowledge.

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How did you come to cross paths with FableVision?
Prior to joining the ICI, I worked as a technology coordinator for Bishop Stang High School where I served on a MassCUE special interest group. One of my technology colleagues, Gaby, arranged for my chronically ill daughter to receive a copy of Animation-ish back in 2008 from Paul Reynolds at FableVision. Ever since then, I have been a big fan of the company and their philosophy of helping all children be the best they can be. When Future Quest Island was being considered for a large technology grant in 2011, I was attending an open house at FableVision and discussed a potential collaboration in moving forward. The rest, as they say, is history.

Together, we’re preparing students for 21st century skills and college and career readiness with Future Quest Island. As the lead person on the project, can you tell us more about the game?
Future Quest Island is an online adventure designed around national and state college and career readiness standards to assist all middle school students in preparing for high school and life beyond with online activities that promote student self-discovery, advocacy, exploration, organization, and technology literacy skills.

In this game, students create college and career, self-determination, social and online safety goals and perform a series of activities that are automatically saved in the online portfolio, also known as an Individualized Learning Plan (ILP). The ILP contains each student’s personalized learning goals, writing activities, and thought collages and organizes them by theme and a “Transition Passport.” A Transition Passport contains all transition-related activities to be used in Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings and/or in other meaningful ways. Every activity has a coin reward that students earn from the teacher to purchase new items for customizing their hut, which is a huge motivation on the island.

There is also a Future Quest Island Teaching Toolkit (TT), designed to provide teachers with information on how to successfully implement Future Quest Island. In the toolkit, teachers can access the recommended scope and sequence of teaching units, including lesson plans and supplemental lesson plans that promote college and career readiness among middle school students.

How do you tailor the content of Future Quest Island to be inclusive and accessible to all students?
The entire island is built with accessibility in mind and we tailored the content to be universally designed and inclusive in multiple ways. All of the avatars are designed to be inclusive of the student population with a variety of abilities, colors, genders, shapes, and sizes. The game is accessible with built-in voice over animation, text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and closed captioning. Every activity on the island has an image response system built in, which is a graphic representation that helps students generate words and sentence starters so that all students regardless of disability can complete the activity.

Students with print disabilities can use a screen reader or utilize the built-in voice over animation, while students with hearing impairments can turn on closed-captioning on videos. Future Quest Island was designed to work on all computers and mobile devices with internet access, eliminating the need for apps and software installation which can be a huge barrier for students.

Future Quest Island is among one of FableVision’s long-term projects. What has your experience been like working with us for four years?
Working with FableVision has been a fabulous experience. The team of individuals we worked with since the beginning of this project in 2012 all the way to 2017 has been essential to the success of the program. From concept to design to installation (and sometimes revision), the entire team—Brian, Loren, Keith, Michael, Polly, Karen, Paul, Chris, Adam, and Sarah—has been nothing short of amazing. I wholeheartedly believe the FableVision team wants this program to succeed as much as we do.

Setting personal, professional, and academic goals is a big component of Future Quest Island. What are some of your long-term and short-term goals for Future Quest Island?
For a short-term goal, we would like to continue the work and get it in the hands of students in grades 3-8. My long-term goal for Future Quest Island is to continue building the program so it can be a career planning tool from elementary to middle to high school and the portfolio will be their Individualized Learning Plan that transitions with students as they advance their education so that their teachers, guidance counselors, IEP team, future schools, families, and potential employers can see their career goals.

If you could pass on a piece of wisdom to adolescents thinking about their own career path, what would it be?  
I would say keep an open mind, listen, observe, ask questions and most importantly, never say never. There are so many careers that haven’t even been created yet and it’s amazing to learn about ourselves as the world around us continues to evolve.

Work is no fun without music to keep you grooving. What’s your favorite album to listen to while working? What’s your favorite album to listen to when you have friends over?
My favorite album of all time is Tigerlily by Natalie Merchant. It has the most inspiring song on it, Wonder, which is about a child who has a disability but is gifted in her way.  The song has a special meaning for me with my own daughter and son who have both had a lot of health challenges. When friends come over, my favorite album to listen to is anything by Train or Rob Thomas. I just love them both. Sometimes, depending on the level of friendship, I’m known to take out my guitar and play some music for my friends.

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