EDUC 5333

What story would you like to explore?  My Journey of Recovery: A Cautionary Tale on the Dangers of Texting and Driving Riding my motorcycle on a familiar road about a few miles from my home is when my life took an immediate drastic turn on a spring break sunny beautiful afternoon.  I thought everything felt like a normal routine, until it wasn't. Out of nowhere, a minivan coming the other way made a sudden left turn, ran a red light, and collided with me. The impact was absolutely devastating. Next thing I know, I'm waking up in the hospital, broken bones, internal injuries, and a super long, painful recovery staring me in the face. Honestly, when I look back, the hardest part is knowing it didn’t have to happen. That one careless moment, disregard of a human life because one text, one second distraction that changed everything. I found the courage to share my story not just about my long recovery to normalcy, but highlighting the devastating impact of texting while driving. N...

How do the choices made by the author engage audience members?  If music is used, what effect does it have on you? If graphics or animation is included, how do they enhance the story?  If the story is interactive, what are you able to explore?  "Pine Point" isn't just a digital story; it's a heartfelt journey back to a mining town that time has forgotten. It feels incredibly personal, almost like a friend is sharing a cherished memory with you, recounting the life and eventual disappearance of this place. The creators do a great job of mixing both real photographs, and what looks like scrapbook-style cut outs, that make it easy for you to give your own feedback. The background music also is mixed in making it even better to set the mood behind everything perfectly. The music varies from brighter tunes to more mellow sounds to give a more engaging and interactive touch to the storyboard.  Being able to click through chapters and uncover hidden stories gives you the se...

  Provide a brief biography. What do you teach or what role do you play in your organization? My name is Bradley Barker, and this marks my 17th year teaching K-5 elementary art. I started my teaching journey with Lincoln Public Schools, spending 12 years there before relocating to Camp Humphreys in South Korea to join the DoDEA Pacific West district. It is a role I continue to find deeply rewarding. My work goes beyond teaching art. I deeply value collaboration with colleagues, which helps empower all learners and supports ongoing growth across our school community. I strive to be an asset to my school by bringing a wealth of experience, creativity, and passion to my classroom and beyond. I come from a family of educators, including two who currently serve in DoDEA’s Pacific West District. I first learned about the DoDEA organization when I moved to South Korea in the 1980s, where I was a DoDEA student myself. Having experienced it firsthand, I consider it an honor to now serve mil...