You Tube
So I finally created an account on You Tube and who better to start with than my family. Here’s my first video, taken at the Politi house in Bethlehem featuring my crazy family!
The New Science of Change
“Nothing is more frustrating than trying to get people to alter the way they do things. New research reveals why it’s so hard and suggests strategies to make it easier.”
Based on suggestions from the CIO article “The New Science of Change,” I attempted to change the behavior of the anime club teens during our weekly meetings. Their behavior of late caused alarm to my supervisors and myself. Pushing, stomping, shrieking, and running were disruptive and getting dangerous. Yet the were deaf to my chastisements. So this article provided an alternative: include them! Clearly, things needed to change. They lost their “extra” privileges (the use of two plasma screen TVs and the PS2/DDR) and were in danger of more restrictions (icky word).
So I plopped them in front of a white board and asked, “Why do you think we lost our extras and what can we do to bring them back.” And the shocker: they knew their behavior was inappropriate and they knew what they had to do to fix it. They ever came up with a better way to run the meetings.
Now, a few weeks later, some of the behavior has improved but the influx of new members and the sheer number of the group has proven too difficult to change. So the extras are still out of play. My new approach, make it a system of reward. I plan to make a card for every member. It will act like an all access pass and a raffle ticket! Those who can have fun without misbehaving can use their pass to play DDR and will be included in weekly giveways. When a pass is taken away, privileges go too. My fingers are crossed!
Asbury Park Press Whatever
The OCL Teen Anime Clubs were featured in Tuesday’s Asbury Park Press. I’m so proud of the Toms River Club especially. They showed up in droves and the costumes were fantastic. It was tough picking a Cosplay winner. The article was written by a teen at the event but part of the Stafford branch’s club. Check it out!
Reflections on Bookfest
OCL had its annual Bookfest celebration last Saturday and, of course, the TR Anime Club was involved. They organized a cosplay contest while I provided games and giveaways. So, what worked and what didn’t?
First, it helped to set the atmosphere by covering the walls with anime posters and filling anime display cases. I provided the posters and display material this time but plan to have the teens bring in their favorite scrolls, posters (blue painters tape is well-safe!), and plushies next time.
I also created a Manga Title Guessing Game. Using manga from the collection and scans on the internet (for lesser known, more challenging titles), I provided a page or image scan from a manga and gave that scan a number. Teens then tried to get the correct title for each number. If done properly, only a handfull of kids should guess all correctly (we had one boy get all 20 titles). Then a prize is given to the winner! The kids really enjoyed hearing the titles announced after guessing so hard.
I also had successful raffle style giveaways. The kids received small things like anime patches, neiko cats, buttons (“nobody knows I’m a ninja”), and anime notebooks (all from Hot Topic).
We could’ve done some things better. A more organized cosplay with a list of questions for contestants (don’t forget to ask about the costume: who made it, what was bought, how was it made, of what material, etc.) and a mic would’ve been good, too.
DDR was a huge hit. Great for all anime events. As well as games for boys like Dragonball or Naruto, Clash of the Ninja.
I also had drawing materials out but added a new twist. I scanned a few pages of funny sceens from some favorite manga (Chobits, Fullmetal Alchemist), removed the dialog, and mass produced the copies. Those less adept at drawing could still color and create their own dialog in the bubbles! Some were hilarous!
All in all, we had around 100 kids, about 30 cosplayers and all had a good time! Next up, Anime Homecoming at the Brick Branch.
Reflections on Gaming Events
October 9, 2006 at 8:13 pm (Commentary, Gaming)
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