HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai`i: Literacy in the Digital Age
Date: Friday, April 28, 2023
Time: 4:30-6:00PM
Location: Hanahau‘oli School Professional Development Center, 1922 Makiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96822
Cost: Free!
If traditional literacy means the ability to read and write effectively, then digital literacy means the ability to communicate and create digitally. In our emerging digital world, a new medium of exchange has developed: online engagement. Effectively engaging online requires a myriad of skills that we strive to foster in school – effective written communication or storytelling. Just as we anticipate that the traditional communication skills we teach children as part of our established curriculum will translate to a broader skill set, so will their ability to engage with people effectively online. Likewise, just as we do not need to establish a separate curriculum or class for “digital literacy,” we can incorporate updated 21st century communication skills such as visual storytelling across our established curricular models.
The revised Bloom’s Taxonomy suggests that creation is at the highest order of learning. With new technologies, students have the ability to create dynamic, multimedia content. By combining these tools with sophisticated topics, we engage students in new and creative ways.
Join us at this public talk to hear from a panel of our HIKI NŌ teachers, educational experts, student journalists, and visual storytellers. They will share examples of the integration of new and old literacies to perpetuate our island tradition of storytelling, deepen learning, increase student engagement, enable authentic assessment, and better prepare our haumana for college, career, and life – regardless of what profession they choose to explore. Also, learn how you can use HIKI NŌ resources and partner with HIKI NŌ to enhance learning opportunities for your students and school community.
About HIKI NŌ & the Panelists:
HIKI NŌ is the first and only weekly student news show with a statewide network of schools. Under their teachers' guidance, students from over 100 public, private and charter schools from across the islands share stories from their communities to Hawaiʻi and the world.
To learn more and view episodes of HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i, visit www.pbshawaii.org/programs/hiki-no
Robert Pennybacker is a 4th generation Korean American, grew up in Honolulu, and is an honors graduate from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. In his forty-year career in Hawaii's broadcast industry, Robert has written approximately 25 television documentaries, and has held leadership positions at KGMB, KHON, and PBS Hawaii, where he is currently V.P. of Learning Initiatives. Robert has been the executive producer of the station's HIKI NO student digital storytelling network since its inception in 2011.
Brent Keane grew up on the windward side of Oahu. His passion for media and design began at Kalāheo High School where he was introduced to various aspects of media production in the Communication Arts program. From there he went on to earn a degree in Visual Communications from Collins College in Tempe, AZ. After college, he started a company specializing in database driven websites as the Art Director, and synthesized his passion for photography, design, and technical skills by developing a boutique Photo Booth Service. More recently he moved into the world of video production and television, doing everything from master control and video production to being general manager at a small, local station. All this has led him to be a part of the PBS Hawaii HIKI NŌ team where he looks forward to inspiring and preparing the next generation to succeed in a field he has zealously pursued.
Matt Lorin is currently HIKI NŌ Education Coordinator. He is a distinguished servant leader with extensive local, state, national and international service. He is recognized for expertise in educational equity, family and community engagement, youth development, and animal-human bond. He has extensive experience engaging and mobilizing families, employees & communities, leading organizations, building alliances and ‘earning’ movements. He has served with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, Emerson Collective, The Learning Coalition (TLC), and Hawai’i FIDO Service Dogs. He currently advises HIKI NŌ, teaches the art of entrepreneurship at Punahou School and Island Pacific Academy (IPA).
Amy Wada grew up in Honolulu and graduated from the Master of Education in Teaching (MEdT) program at UH. This is her fifth year teaching 4th grade at Waikiki Elementary. HIKI NO was brought to Waikiki through the innovation and guidance of Principal Bonnie Tabor and Dr. Toby Yos, a specialist in Philosophy for Children (p4c) at UH. This is the school's 3rd year partnering with HIKI NO to amplify student voices beyond the four walls of the classroom.
Jason Marvel is in his 3rd year as a 5th grade teacher at Waikiki Elementary, after attending UH’s MEdT program. He previously worked as a documentary cameraman in the film and television industry. Before that, he completed the documentary program at the International Center of Photography in New York City. And before that, he received his undergraduate degree in East Asian Studies from USC. He has enjoyed applying his background in storytelling and cinematography to his language arts and social studies curriculum to support the students in bringing their stories and understanding to life.
Isaiah Matsunaga is an 8th grader currently attending Iolani School. He is actively involved with Iolan's Track and Field team and also participates in the intermediate band, where he's already had the chance to participate in several performances. This past summer, he was selected to represent Kaimuki Middle School at the National Youth Leadership Forum in Berkeley where he had the opportunity to participate and gain experience with what college life on campus and in the dorms would be like. He is also currently active in Boy Scout's and during his free time he loves to game and continues to learn how to code on his own. He has interest in Videography however his ultimate goal is to become a software engineer. While attending Waikiki Elementary, Isaiah participated in the Hiki Nō Experience. He was recognized and awarded a Student Voice Award from Mental Health America Hawaii for his Hiki Nō student reflection.