Ryan Fukunaga

Blog

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    So, if you found this by searching “Ryan Fukunaga” then simple SEO plug-in I’m using has worked! Now let’s see if I can do anything with this traffic…

  • Starting the digital storytelling process

    Mic & HeadphonesDigital storytelling starts with finding a story. Without a story, it becomes a news piece. So, as a facilitator, you have to find ways to get people thinking of their stories. Sometimes that’s simply having them talk to each other with a particular topic or theme in mind; other times it starts with an interview.

    I’ve had many discussions with people about how digital storytelling differs from the traditional oral storytelling. The process of creating a digital story can be solitary process, with the participants spending hours in front of a screen editing. Even the act of script writing changes the process. But starting with a story circle really can make all the difference. So the story circle and getting the collaborative process going at the beginning is very important because participants need to feel confident in their story and the process if they’re also going to share it later. Participants to know that others are interested in their story; that they’re listening and their stories are relevant and important.

    This short video about how to be a good listener can be helpful if the group your working needs support in this area. Workshops run best when you’ve created an environment where active listening can occur.

  • Teaching Social Media

    social-media-signs

    Okay, so what do I teach?

    I read articles predicting trends that discuss what skills are necessary for the 21st Century work force. In a standard class, with learners who have basic computer skills, I focus on the basic employment skills (using basic Office features, writing good email, using search engines effectively, understanding what “the cloud” is, etc.) and some creative stuff as well (taking good pictures, poetry, etc.).

    I always have difficult explaining the importance of being able to use social media in the modern workplace. Even in looking for jobs, having a semi-private Facebook profile is a good thing and an updated LinkedIn profile is a plus even if you’re industry doesn’t hire directly from there.

    What I have found is many entry-level position still require some sort of traditional resume either through an online portal OR via email. Instruction becomes a balance between the immediate skills need to look for work and the long term skill-building that will help growth.

    So social media instruction becomes more about digital citizenship rather than effective marketing or development techniques. I’m going to continue thinking about this topic but this is where I stand at the moment.

  • Realistic Goals

    One of the most difficult things I find doing is balancing between everything I want to do and what I can realistically do. It’s easy to become overwhelmed. I know because it’s happened to me recently. So I’ve set out some guidelines for myself to keep the balance. Here’s the first

    Lists, lists, lists

    I’ve never had much of a memory for sequences. Spelling and telephone numbers always gave me trouble. Thankfully technology has been able to help me greatly both in recent years. Scheduling, however, is still struggle with daily. I use my calendar to give me all the details regarding every meeting, class, and workshop I’ve got to attend or run. Notifications pop up on my phone reminding me of important due dates (and birthdays).

    With more experience, I know this balancing act will become slightly easier.

     

  • Spring Break – tracking progress

    With a week break from my usual routine, I’m taking this week to write a series of posts. There’s no theme, just thoughts I’ve been considering for a while.

    I’m an instructor in a couple of adult literacy program. Currently, my focus has been on numeracy (math). In my classes, there are usually 10-16 adults working a wide variety of basic math skills (decimals, fractions, percent, ratio, geometry, etc.). Over the years I’ve moved to a “package” system where I give the learners a small package of work on a specific skills for them to work on at their own pace. I found that this practice in several other classes I have an supply instructor it. I usually mark their work as they go, and double check everything when they complete the package. I have a series of assessments (tests, assignments, etc.) to prepare them for the ministry-mandate assessment. This system works because it’s a low stress environment and learners have sense of progress without feeling overwhelmed.

    It’s not a perfect system but seems to work well enough. It does, however, require that I have packages ready, sorted, and organized before. Also means I need to have specific plan in place for what skills are necessary. I also can’t plan too far ahead because sometimes there are gaps in a learner’s knowledge that aren’t obvious.

    I avoided creating a system until recently because I wanted to able to adapt the order I gave out the packages based upon learner’s needs but now there are just too many different files to keep track. So I’m going to create a simple checklist template. This would also let me give something out to the

  • Publishing Content

    So here’s the current challenge I have with my work: I don’t have any examples of what I’m doing. In a digital storytelling workshop, I get people to tell their stories and show them the tools necessary to do. Oftentimes, participants only want to share these stories with family and neighbours. The idea of putting it on the Internet usually doesn’t cross their minds, or does, and they don’t want to do that. These stories can be very personal, and it makes sense that they don’t want to share them with everyone. I don’t push the online publishing option because my goal is to get the story done, teach the skills, and build confidence.

    The last thing I want to do is use other people’s stories for my own gain. So I’m working on a strategy where, during the normal course of the digital storytelling workshop, I can suggest putting the content online organically, without being pushy and while respecting all points of view. These stories aren’t about it.

    Another option is to create my own story about facilitating a digital storytelling workshop, which is probably what I’ll do.

  • Developing Workshops

    I just finished a four-day digital storytelling working. These workshops take a lot out of me because it’s short days (six hours) but it seems like i’m consistently being pulled in every direction. I’ve been slowly coming up with a couple of guidelines to help me keep things under control.

    Set a maximum number of participants.

    This is very important. After several workshops, I think the maximum number of participants I can handle is 7-8. Anymore than that and I can’t help everyone create a quality product / experience. With any additional volunteers/facilitators, I can easily add more people, even if the other facilitators only work one or two people.

    Prepare, Prepare, Prepare (then be ready to scrap it all)

    So even after doing this several times, I’m always finding myself taking time before I start to revise the schedule, re-write presentations and handouts, and visualize the best possible program. Some times these changes work well, other times I return to the old ways. Several times this week I changed my plans midstream. I hadn’t counted on starting the week being sick or that additional time would be necessary during the script writing process. Both of these things put us a half day behind schedule, but the participants were eager so we were able to finish the stories on time.

    Reflection

    I’m trying to get better at accepting outside advice, but it’s difficult mid-session. After I’m done, however, I spend some time writing up a reflection of the workshop; what worked and what didn’t. It lets me refine my style and schedule. It also lets me see what skills/knowledge I need to upgrade.

  • Next Steps

    So, a week into owning this space, I’ve done a little housekeeping, but not much else. So while I’m writing a “real” bio, I thought I’d take a moment to write a bit about myself.

    • For the last four years, I’ve been working at a non-profit community organization focused on literacy and community development. My primary job is as an instructor, but I also do a bunch of other things.
    • I worked at a social justice bookstore where I travelled all over the province (Ontario).
    • I’ve volunteered at a variety of organizations, including:
      • special education high school
      • outdoor sports/recreation club
      • youth recreation programs
    • For one year, I had two part-time jobs – at a record store and at a video rental store. I had no life, but I got to listen to a ton of music and watch A LOT of movies.
    • During university, I worked at an amusement park every summer. One day, I convinced my co-workers (off the clock, of course) to re-create the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds album cover.

  • Why a website now?

    I’ve had an email account since the mid-90s, a blog since 2000, and so many social media accounts that I can barely keep track of them all.

    But I’ve never had a website.

    Now I do.

    I’ve developed a lot of material and content for my job as an digital technology instructor. Rather than hoard all of this I wanted to have the chance to share it with others. So I’m going to start doing that. This site will have a variety of handouts, lesson plans, and presentations gear towards adult learners.

    More to come!