Our Favorite Words Inspired by Peter H. Reynolds’ “The Word Collector”

February 7, 2018

“Hover,” “treasure,” and “whisper” are just a few of the many words that expert word-collector Jerome has gathered and stored away in award-winning author/illustrator and FableVision co-founder Peter H. Reynolds’ latest story, The Word Collector.

It’s not until his words get lost and scattered that he begins to recognize that the hundreds of syllables he has collected are only pieces of a much larger puzzle. He realizes that words can be strung together to create meaning much greater than they have on their own. He uses this revelation to create poetry and songs that delight all who listen, encourage, and motivate people all around him, and even show affection for his furry friends. He begins to fill in the lines of his own story with healing words, loving words, and uplifting words.

Words are the greatest bridge-builders—they transcend race, religion, age, gender, sexuality, ability, and distance. Whether it’s braille on the page of a novel, a good morning text message, or a story harmonized to music, the power and versatility that words hold is the common thread. Through words we are able to connect with each other, with icons of the past, with characters on a screen, and even with our own feelings. They are the tools through which we build the story of our life.

On Scholastic’s site you can flex your creative muscles by tinkering with words and phrases through interactive activities that get you mixing and meddling with words just like Jerome. You can become your own master wordsmith by making a collage out of Jerome’s many words over the backdrop of the whimsical illustrations from the book.

When you get a group of storytellers together in one room, there is going to be all kinds of words flying back and forth. The image that just popped into your head is what the FableVision office looks like. Following in the footsteps of Jerome, we decided to collect some of our own favorite words together!

Watch the FableVision-produced trailer for The Word Collector here and get a copy for yourself and all the other word collectors in your life!

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February FableFriday: Laura Evans, Director of Education, Georgia Public Broadcasting

February 2, 2018

Laura Evans is no stranger to the world of education. With a well-rounded background in journalism and classroom teaching experience, she brings unique perspective to her work as Director of Education at Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB), Georgia’s digital media content provider for the classroom. GPB offers locally produced, Georgia-specific content and digital streaming services across all subject areas to teachers and students. GPB recently teamed up with FableVision Studios to develop Georgia Race Through Time and GASHA GO!, two interactive games that strike the right balance between educational content and entertainment, embodying Laura’s belief in the power and potential of game-based learning.

“I think game-based learning is effective because it makes learning fun. We cannot underestimate the power of fun, especially with young learners,” Laura shares. “Students today are digital natives and are extremely comfortable in this environment; it’s the ‘language’ they speak. We are seeing that the more traditional approaches to learning are no longer working and game-based learning allows for a more individualized, student-centered approach that meets all students where they are.”

Join us in learning more about Laura’s educational philosophies, her creative collaborations with FableVision Studios, and her vision for the future of GPB Education – as well as her recommendations for your next movie night!

As a former educator of 11 years, your passion for education enables you to bring a teacher’s perspective to the development and implementation of GPB’s educational resources. How does your time in front of the classroom enrich and inform your work?
The time I spent in the classroom gives me better insight into what works and what does not work from an implementation standpoint. Sometimes, education resources are created without seeing them through the lens of a teacher and that can be counterproductive. When we approach new projects, I always try to put my teacher hat on and think about practicality and usefulness.

To bring history to life, GPB and FableVision created Georgia Race Through Time, a new history adventure game for 8th grade students. What inspired the making of this game featuring the time-travelling, antique-collecting Savannah and her trusty sidekick, Peaches?
Since this game is aligned to Georgia standards, we knew it would be heavy on content. However, we also wanted to make sure it was fun and engaging for students. We collaborated with FableVision to come up with a great storyline and characters that would help students connect to the game. We also wanted to capture elements of Georgia, which influenced the names of the characters, Savannah and Peaches. Savannah is, of course, a city in Georgia, and the peach is Georgia’s official state fruit.

Math just got a new musical makeover! GPB recently released a new suite of games and activities to teach number sense, numeracy, and literacy to children in grades K-3. Tell us about GASHA GO! and what this game aims to accomplish.
We continue to hear from Georgia teachers that foundational math skills are critical for kids’ success in school later on. If young learners do not start off with a good understanding of numbers and their relationships to one another, they have difficulty when they get to more abstract mathematical concepts. GASHA GO! is designed for kids in kindergarten through third grade and was developed with input from Georgia elementary math teachers. It helps children build those foundational numeracy skills through fun math challenges and engaging characters.

What has your experience been like working with the FableVision team?
Working with the FableVision team has been such a positive, creative experience for us. We knew they had a reputation as a leader in game-based learning, but we didn’t quite know what to expect when we started our first project (Georgia Race Through Time). After our first “FabLab”—FableVision’s creative brainstorming / kickoff meeting—we knew we had picked the right partner based on the level of professionalism and energy with which they approached our project. They have helped us develop two great educational games, Georgia Race Through Time and GASHA GO!, from the beginning to the final touches. We look forward to working with them again soon.

Word on the street is that GPB and FableVision are taking a special trip to Austin, Texas this March. What's the occasion?
Yes, our trip to SXSW EDU is coming up soon. We were selected from thousands of applicants to host a panel along with the team from FableVision. Our session is called Immersive Learning: Teaching History through GBL and we will share our process for creating a story-rich, standards-based game that positively impacts middle school students’ learning. As a public broadcasting station, we are constantly looking for ways to engage the adolescent audience, which sometimes dwindles when they grow out of kids’ programming. By specifically targeting this age group with our digital resources, we keep them interacting with our GPB brand.

Your team is always cooking up new tools! What's next for GPB Education?
We are always looking for ways to innovate in the digital learning space. In addition to working on several new virtual field trips to different locations in Georgia, we are also working on our next Live Exploration. Live Explorations bring exciting locations to life via live streaming, stunning footage, field experts, live interactions, and supplemental resources. We had great success with our first trip to Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary—we had over 45,000 students and teachers watch and interact live. This time we are working to bring the Okefenokee Swamp live to classrooms across Georgia (and the nation). We also continue to have great success with our new digital series, Things Explained. Our next episode will examine the mathematics of the Winter Olympics.

As a self-professed film, television, and literature geek, please share:

Three films you're most likely to recommend: There are so many I would recommend but three of my more recent favorites are
Three binge-worthy shows to watch:
- The Crown
- Victoria (must plug PBS!)
- Stranger Things
Three books that were powerful influencers for you:

Catch GPB and FableVision at SXSW EDU!

Immersive Learning: Teaching History through GBL
When: March 5 at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Room 17B, Austin Convention Center
Public broadcasting stations are positioned to connect and engage educators, students, and families. However, there's a significant decline in viewership among adolescents. Media developers and educators pioneered a game-based learning tool that tackles subject matter difficulty with Georgia Race Through Time, a supplemental history game. See how education experts addressed the challenges of producing a story-enriched, standards-based game to positively impact middle school students' learning. Register to attend!

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FableVision Opens D.C. Office to Expand Development of Creative Ed Tech and Grow Public and Private Partnerships

January 30, 2018

(Boston, MA – January 18, 2018) – FableVision Studios is pleased to announce the opening of its Washington, D.C.-based office to be led by James Collins who, as Director of Strategic Partnerships and Government Relations, will support and accelerate FableVision’s growing roster of public and private collaborations around new technologies, digital storytelling, and pedagogically-progressive learning models.

"I’m thrilled to have James join the FableVision team and look forward to working with them to support best-in-class partners who are innovating media-rich ed tech," said FableVision President and Co-Founder Gary Goldberger, who made the announcement this week. "James is already playing a key role in forging alliances that will benefit the education technology and game-based education community."

James joins FableVision after their tenure at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology and the Smithsonian Institution’s Center for Learning and Digital Access where they focused on learning games, as well as education technology policy and research. They have aggressive plans to grow FableVision’s reach in the federal sector.

"When I first got to know FableVision at the Smithsonian, I knew that I had found a special group of people," Collins said. "It is an organization that has discovered how to mix pedagogy, storytelling, technology, and wonder fueled by a sense of mission. It is an honor to take these transformative experiences to scale."

James has a history of bringing together stakeholders to create change including co- founding the first federal Climate Change Game Jam, leading the Equity team for former President Obama’s National Maker Faire, and supporting the Department of Education’s #GoOpen campaign. James has also taught Computer Science in university and afterschool settings and is currently a member of the Montgomery College Game Degree Program’s Advisory Board. They hold a dual Bachelor’s of Science from DePaul University and a Juris Doctor from Washington & Lee Law School.

"So many of our creative collaborators committed to innovative ed tech and positive change are already based in D.C. – PBS Kids, Smithsonian, National Archives, Reading Is Fundamental, National Academy of Science," CEO and Co-Founder Paul Reynolds said. “I’m excited that James will help us build out our operations and shape the direction of how ed tech can truly serve all learners in more effective ways."

About FableVision

FableVision Studios has earned national and global recognition for its award-winning websites, games, animated films, museum kiosks, and apps. Its roster of clients includes educational publishers, broadcasters, nonprofits, museums, researchers, and institutions such as PBS KIDS, Smithsonian Institution, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Nick Jr., and National Geographic Society. FableVision is dedicated to helping all learners reach their full potential and telling “stories that matter, stories that move.”

For more information about FableVision Studios visit: www.fablevisionstudios.com.

Media Contact

Sarah Ditkoff
FableVision Studios
sarah@fablevision.com
617.956.5700

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New Year, New You

January 12, 2018

I love the start of the New Year—fresh start, clean slate, the promise of a new you. As a big fan of lists, making my New Year’s Resolutions is my favorite tradition that began when I was in the third grade.

A week before the start of winter vacation, Ms. Ferrugio—the teacher who fostered my love of reading—stood up and announced that she had presents for everyone. She got everyone a book (mine was The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids: Vampires Don’t Wear Polka Dots), a pack of red pencils, and stationery with illustrated birds. She said that in addition to doing lots of reading over the break, she hoped that we were also going to make a few resolutions ourselves. To get us started, she shared a few things from her personal list: to create a new unit lesson plan about Egypt, read 50 new books, and do 10 intentional acts of kindness. From her career as an educator to stoking her love of literature to being a nicer human being, these resolutions touched upon different parts of Ms. Ferrugio’s personality.

I’m reminded of this as I make my own list. It’s important to not just be a better person for myself but also to those around me, doing my part to keep FableVision’s mission of moving the word to a better place alive.

This year, I’m sharing a few things from my New Year’s resolution list with a little help from some of my favorite FableVision stalwarts. I hope that this toolkit of games, animation, interactives, and more enables you to meditate on the goals you want to achieve this year. Here’s to making Ms. Ferrugio proud!

Get in Touch with the Natural World with the New England Aquarium
As winter makes the weather frightful, the lull of home’s warmth and comfort can be powerful. Combat this habit and stay cozy by taking a trip to Boston’s New England Aquarium. With the installation of the interactive and educational Fish Identification iPad app designed by FableVision, the Boston attraction offers something that other aquariums don’t. The aquarium mounted six iPads around their signature Giant Ocean Tank so that aquarium goers like me can identify the fish and other animals in this central exhibit. Much better than Netflix! Learn more here.

Improve Financial Literacy with Commonwealth
In the US, there are few young people who know how to manage their personal finances. I don’t want to be one of them. That’s why I’m upping my financial literacy by playing Con ’Em If You Can. In the game, the player assumes the role of a con artist learning key techniques—phantom riches, reciprocity, scarcity, social consensus, and source credibility—to scam the residents of Shady Acres. The intention is that by playing as the con artist, the user learns how not to fall for the schemes in the real world. Play for free on the game’s site.

Practice Self-Care with Marc Colagiovanni
By being kind to ourselves, we’re able to be kind to those around us. As we get older, the way we talk to ourselves can be less than compassionate. That’s why I’m reminding myself that I’m perfectly perfect just the way I am with Marc Colagiovanni’s The Reflection in Me. With FableVision founder and renowned children’s book author/illustrator Peter H. Reynolds at the helm as illustrator and executive producer, The Reflection in Me follows the impactful experience of a child going through the practice of self-love and acceptance. The film seeks to promote the message of having a positive self-image and unconditional love. Watch for free here.

Get Movin’ and Groovin’ with Sesame Street in Communities
Wellness is possible this year thanks to Grover’s Playground Workout! Developed by FableVision, the interactive is crafted to encourage families to get up on their feet and have fun exercising together. Players either spin the wheel to land on a random monster or pick a monster of their own choosing that then models up to three different moves that kids and parents (and Mitul!) can mimic. An excellent way to break a sweat with my favorite furry monster. Play Grover’s Playground Workout on Sesame Street in Communities’ website.

Exercise Kindness with Committee for Children
The world can always do with more kindness and playing ParkPals: Kindness Rules is a good way to remind yourself of the little ways we can make a big impact. ParkPals provides a safe space for children ages 7–9 to practice kind social behaviors in a safe, structured, online space. The game features an avatar creator, mini-games, and a virtual playground where the child has the opportunity to implement learned strategies in a simulated real-world experience. Play ParkPals for free in iTunes and the Google Play store.

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January FableFriday: Sarah Ditkoff, Communications Director

January 5, 2018

Sarah Ditkoff is fearless in her willingness to drive change. She’s naturally iterative, experimenting with new ideas, platforms, and technologies, and understands how to “fail fast” and move on. As the head of marketing and key member of the proposals team, Sarah knows FableVision’s portfolio and in-house talent inside out and back again, and her deep knowledge of the company is matched only by her passion for the studio’s mission. Her eloquence and flair for language shines in every communication, written and spoken, and her voice has become synonymous with FableVision’s.

Ascending the studio leadership ladder to her current role as Communications Director, Sarah has built a seamless bridge between the marketing and sales departments—the engines of FableVision Studios. In addition to managing the direction of the marketing department and the highly competitive marketing internship program that she has carefully grown and cultivated over the years, Sarah is part of two different teams that help shape the culture and strategy of the company, and strives to present and consider a diversity of viewpoints to ensure that everyone—from staff to clients—is heard.

“I’m an open ear and an objective point of view—both for our production team, and for the client. Part of my job is to help ensure a project’s success at every stage: from proposal, to production, to launch—and beyond,” shares Sarah. “I hold my own work and the work of my team to a high standard. FableVision is a special place and each encounter a person has with our studio should have that ‘special’ quality that’s in our brand’s backbone.”

This month, we’re kicking off the New Year with a feature on one of FableVision’s leaders. Step into Sarah’s shoes to learn more about her leadership style, her tenacity to think strategically and on her feet, and the array of talent she brings to every project her hand touches. From creative insight to a strong head for business to superb interpersonal skills, see how Sarah does it all.

With over five years at FableVision Studios working alongside the various departments, how has the marketing department evolved during your time at FableVision?
We have a small team that handles the strategy and implementation of the studio’s marketing and communications efforts. With a group that nimble, it’s to be expected that our marketing efforts mature and evolve based on whose hand is touching which campaign and platform.

Sarah and Mitul at FableVision's 20th Anniversary Party

FableVision’s Communications Strategist, Mitul Daiyan, has brought a great sense of order to our marketing efforts by creating a more formal way of tracking long-term and short-term campaigns. Under her eye, we monitor, interpret, and report back on what’s working and what could be better next time. This helps us shape our efforts in thinking about how each campaign funnels into FableVision’s larger story and mission.

We’ve also been lucky to have creative, passionate, ambitious marketing interns during my time here. Their talents diversify our team’s skillset and we love to have voices come in with new ideas that are both innovative and actionable.

In what ways does your position as Communications Director expand on your previous role? How does a more external approach to communications influence your relationship with clients?
We use the word “communications” broadly at FableVision. On the marketing side of my role, I direct the studio’s communications efforts for the services side of our business. That covers everything from social media and campaign strategy to submitting conference session proposals for thought leadership opportunities. I’m also the primary marketing contact for our clients, and consult with them to identify opportunities to amplify their marketing and outreach efforts through studio channels.

On the business development side of my role, I work to streamline the proposal to production process. If you’re a client and you communicated with me during the proposal phase, I’ll be with you at the project kickoff to ensure that all the knowledge I have about your project’s goals are transferred to the team that will actually be doing the development work. You’ll also hear my voice on big deliverable calls. In addition to having the project’s producer as your day-to-day contact, I’m always available to the client for praise or concerns.

How do you juggle being part of both the marketing and business development / proposal team at FableVision? Is there any insight to be found in having a hand in both departments?
As with many small companies, there’s a lot of crossover between departments. To do my job, I need to be especially fluent in our portfolio, which gives me a unique vault of knowledge to pull from when I’m communicating with potential clients and in thinking about content, scope, or audience overlaps when I’m putting together proposals.

Every client gets personalized attention and everything we make is custom-created to match their vision—but it helps to have some touchstones in mind, especially in those early discovery phases and conversations.

Sarah with Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Vega at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC

If you had the opportunity to work with any client on any project what would it be?
I recently vacationed in DC and was reminded by how much I love that city as a place of learning, history, and knowledge. I’d love to continue to do work with the Smithsonian, and maybe one day with the Newseum.

I’ve always had a soft spot for museums. Informal learning spaces are so valuable—no matter who you are or which walk of life you come from, those doors are open to you.

You mentioned that you’re always thinking about what’s next. What would you like to see over the next few years from FableVision?
We could always use more kindness in the world. I’d like our portfolio to continue to contain projects that have themes of inclusivity, empathy, and diversity. Additionally, it will be important to do work that promotes growth mindset and teaches all learners critical thinking skills so that people understand not just what to think, but how to think. We strive to fuel others to do their part in moving the world to a better place.

Sarah with FableVision's former Executive Producer, Karen Bresnahan

You’ve impressively risen through the ranks in a matter of a few years. What advice would you give to other hardworking women like yourself?
One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was, “no one is going to take you seriously if you don’t take yourself seriously.” Believe in the validity of your own unique voice. You are valuable. You are talented. There is room for you at the table. Stay focused. Pick your battles. Be kind to yourself. Do the work.

Sarah’s Favorites:

Favorite personality to follow on social media: Simone Giertz

Favorite cooks: Ladies know what’s up. I will forever love:

Also if you’re not watching A Chef’s Life on PBS featuring Vivian Howard, you are seriously missing out.

Favorite calligraphy resource: Calligrafile, founded by my favorite calligrapher, Molly Suber Thorpe. I was able to take a class with her last year at GrayMist Studio in Cambridge, which was so incredibly cool.

Favorite books: This is a terribly unfair question. How about a current favorite author? Roxane Gay killed it in 2017 (and earlier than that, but she had such a good year last year). My favorite “coffee table book” from last year is In The Company of Women by Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge, which I read cover to cover.

Favorite podcast: Current listens include More Perfect, How I Built This, Death, Sex & Money, and Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!

Favorite pun: I ate too much Middle Eastern food. Now I falafel.