Inspiration

Visual storytelling

/ Susan Hendrich / 5 Comments

Connect Using Visual Storytelling

It’s time for another golden e-Learning design tip! Today we’ll focus on visual storytelling. 

We’ve heard over and again that the power of visual imagery is unbeatable in instructional design. Yet, we struggle to find and use images that accurately capture and evoke the kind of emotion that connects audiences with the story we are trying to tell.  Perhaps you’ve seen the famed YouTube video series, “In Plain English,” where the CommonCraft geniuses show us (rather than tell us) the essence of Web 2.0 technologies. It is this kind of visual storytelling that captures our attention and ignites our imagination.

So, how can you show, rather than tell, your story?

Now, here’s your homework:

Take a look at Veronica Rusnak‘s Article on “Visual Storytelling and Moments in the Human Condition.”

“Remember: story, not data. Rather than talk about your topic, find a way to show it.”

Looking forward to your ideas!

Susan Hendrich

Vitality affects

/ Susan Hendrich / 1 Comment

Get in sync with “Vitality Affects”

The concept of “vitality affects” is all about joining the rhythm of another, whether that “another” is a person, a song, a place, or a moment. Vitality affects are at the core of my therapeutic style.  My style is a natural and literal entrainment with a person’s cognition and emotion, which helps “mirror” the client’s internal experience.  This mirroring, or reflecting, allows the client to “see” herself outside of herself, and thus make tweaks and adjustments to her personal “music.” It’s no accident that the term is synonymous with affective attunement (get it? a-TUNE-ment, as in “tuning in” to the music of another). 

A great poster on vitality affects: http://www.phil.gu.se/posters/musicmove.pdf.

Tuning in to America’s Got Talent

I have been watching “America’s Got Talent,” a stupid yet mesmerizing talent show with Jerry Springer as host. The two front-running acts include a 400-pound young opera singer and two african american violinists from inner-city NY. The reason these two acts have risen to the top is that we in the audience become entranced by the symphony that is their music, movements, facial expressions, and tangible passion (not to mention their inspiring personal stories).  Their vitality affects become hypnotic pendula that mysteriously draw us in and help us to make our own symphonies. 

What types of vitality affects are you tuning in to these days?

Susan Hendrich

Words matter

/ Susan Hendrich / 2 Comments

Here is a shining example of the difference words can make:

1. Tina writes the following on her Think Simple Now blog:

Do you find yourself saying the words I’m sorry or I don’t know often? Did you know that this over-sighted language pattern is actually limiting our potential to happiness and ultimately getting what we want?…

The language we use is incredibly powerful. It is a direct command into our unconscious mind. Whether we realize it or not, or it was spoken casually or not, our unconscious mind is listening. Your unconscious mind takes notes even when you’re not paying attention.  Read Tina’s post

2. Then, people make comments on Tina’s post, like this one from Kannan:

Hi Tina,

Great Article.
I think you did lot of work to write this one.
One may wonder how even these simple words can influence our life.
Just like a garden, if we eliminate all the weeds and feed only the plants, our life will be a beautiful garden with wonderful results. Thanks for sharing.

Best Wishes,
Kannan Viswagandhi
http://www.growing-self.blogspot.com

3. Other people read Tina’s blog post and Kannan’s response, and start to think…

Hey maybe I need to consider my words more carefully. Yeah, in fact, I will make a change today in some small way.  Wait…by thinking that, I just did made a change! Let me write about that change.

4. And the beautiful cycle continues…

Think well!

Susan (Hertzenberg) Hendrich

Mighty Molly

/ Susan Hendrich / 3 Comments

Team Molly

Five year-old Molly Anderson has been battling leukemia since May, 2008.  She is a brave young superhero, and thousands of people are cheering her on.  Since Molly has superhero status, we thought it fitting that she have her own fancy superimage.  Check out some ideas for Mighty Molly! 

Vote for your favorite(s).

Mighty Molly

 

 

 

Mighty Molly

Molly’s own words:

Hi, my name is Molly. I am 5 years old and quite a character. I love super heroes and making people laugh. I am super tough and super strong. I was diagnosed on May 28th with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia Tcell (ALL). My treatment is long but I plan to be a super fighter the whole way.

Thanks for supporting Molly Anderson!

Susan