Programming

The Global Issues Network Institute will challenge teacher and student participants to think critically and act collaboratively in a problem-solving environment. Students and teachers will attend workshop sessions led by global organizations based in Washington, DC for the first week. The second week will focus on a digital storytelling workshop and a series of hands-on activities that will complement what they have learned in the classroom.

A three-day digital storytelling sequence, led by a widely respected team of talented filmmakers and educators (check out their website!), will teach students and teachers the skills necessary to produce high-quality digital media for use both in and out of the classroom.

Digital Storytelling

Lights, Camera, Learning: Movie-Making Made Simple--And Fun!
Explore the magic of digital video to tell a powerful story. Learn the essential nature of digital video, as a teaching/learning tool. In this workshop, media magician Marco Torres and his team from Alas Media will cover some of the basic rules and essential elements as well as tips/tricks for ensuring very high-quality (even professional grade) end products.

Participants will spend three days storyboarding, shooting, and editing movies related to the Global Issues Action Institute's themes. To ensure a quality experience, we must limit this workshop to 30 participants.

Marco Antonio Torres is a 10-year high school teacher, media coach, and education technology director for San Fernando High School, one of the nation's largest urban schools in Los Angeles. He is also a professional filmmaker and photographer who uses these digital storytelling skills to add value to his curriculum.

Marco has been recognized locally and internationally for his accomplishments in the classroom, creative program building, administering complex budgets, and for the use of technology to empower minority students. He has received honors and awards from the government, educational leadership organizations, the creative arts community, business groups, and also from his students.

As a teacher and media professional artist, Marco Torres is involved with many professional organizations where he is an advocate for more collaboration between the media arts world and education. For example, Marco was recruited to serve as a board member for the George Lucas Educational Foundation--a foundation created by filmmaker George Lucas to promote digital technology, change, community, and learning everywhere. Marco also is an Apple Distinguished Educator-- a program, sponsored by Apple that recognizes innovators in today's classrooms.

Once referred to as "Jaime Escalante.com" by Mr. Escalante himself, Torres is empowering students, teaches them how to celebrate their culture, build communities, and how (and why) to use multimedia tools to share their very special stories and ideas with the world.

Consequently, Marco's students are regularly recruited by some of the nation's finest universities and businesses. He has keynoted and presented at numerous conferences nationally and internationally. His practical workshops help teachers push their teaching and learning to new exciting levels.

Marco's media rich program has been highlighted in numerous TV, radio, online, magazines, books, and news periodicals. Very recently, Marco was recognized by the California legislature as a California Teacher of the Year.