Conscious Blue Communications

Furiously Fast

Ian Downie — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:27:59 +0000

So I’ve been doing a LOT of downloading lately… And using Gigabit web servers to do the heavy lifting for me. It’s been an incredible learning experience sorting through SSH protocols, Unix commands, SFTP users, 100′s of gigabytes of data, raid arrays, SATA connections, and a really FAT internet pipe. I’ve made it out the other end intact, and with a wonderful array of tools in my tool bag. I’m writing this post to share those tools with you, so that you may have an easier time than I did learning what works and what doesn’t.

Fast File Transfers

After trying many tools, I’ve found that the ONLY mac application that completely maximized my bandwidth while never crashing, was also the BEST and most fully featured app on the market: Speed Downloader! From it’s incredibly fast hyper-threading protocol to it’s highly configurable options, this tool does it all, effortlessly, and reliably. Don’t waste your time with other downloaders, as Speed Downloader will run circles around them all.

EE Conference

Ian Downie — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:41:39 +0000

The Environmental Education Association of South Carolina is a non-profit association with a leadership role in environmental and natural resource conservation education in South Carolina. As a board member and chair of the communication committee, I took it upon myself to build a website to promote the annual conference. Visit EEConference.org to learn about this exciting event!

Botanica Charleston

Ian Downie — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:47:28 +0000

Botanica Floral Design Studio creates custom and distinctive florals exclusively for weddings, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, corporate floral needs, and special events. I built them a beautiful website on the WordPress platform as well as an interactive gallery using Slideshowpro. If you’re looking for easy to use and flexible tools for blogging and image galleries, I highly recommend them. If you’re looking for floral design in South Carolina, I highly recommend Botanica!

Bryan’s Music

Ian Downie — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 21:45:41 +0000

I’ve recently been working with Bryan Gibson to migrate his online presence to a robust multi-store e-commerce mall. Bryan’s Music consists of a base website with all of his products available as well as over a dozen niche websites offering specialty products to customers.

Magento E-Commerce Platform

Bryan needed a robust engine to handle products between many different stores, but wanted to keep it affordable and easy to manage over time. I chose to develop the open source e-commerce solution called Magento. With enterprise support, a global community, incredible extensibility and development flexibility it was a win-win-win for this project.

Improving Sales

Bryansmusic has been generating profit via the scale of page hits coming in, but with very high bounce rates and abandoned carts. This website redesign will drastically improve his sales figures and provide a more satisfying customer experience.

Graphic Design

I want to give a warm thank you to JeTu Media for providing all the graphic design as well as content pages, logo design and much of the product entry. It was wonderful to work with someone with such a complimentary skill set. Great Job JeTu!

Search Engine Optimization

Bryan’s SEO strategy is keyword focused per niche website, funneling traffic searching for specific products such as “Gitane Guitars” to www.gitaneguitar.net. It’s been working incredibly well, but conversion rates have been historically low. This move will serve to expand the keyword driven pages available and actualize sales from this great SEO.

Mail in the woods

Ian Downie — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 15:50:13 +0000

I came across this mailbox today while running through the woods. Odd at first, I soon learned that it was a message receptacle for nature viewings. Not only is it simply effective, but I think this is a wonderful concept that can be reapplied in many communication applications.

Rising Seas

Ian Downie — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 06:08:21 +0000

Environmental Education Resources

Ian Downie — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 04:58:01 +0000

It makes little difference if your elementary school is in the heart of Manhattan or the prairies of South Dakota, or if you have major funding or a shoestring budget. You can deviate from the usual classroom curriculum by offering innovative and inexpensive off-site alternatives that spark student interest and yours, too. Such informal activities can be structured as isolated projects — a one-day excursion to a nearby attraction — or integrated into a broader class plan that includes pre- and post-trip assignments. With a host of resources on the Internet to help you along, any field trip can be a learning experience and not just play time.

Parks, Zoos, Aquaria, and More

Kids love exploring nature, so you can’t go wrong with excursions that highlight colorful plants and scary animals and rock-dwelling creepy crawly things. Take advantage of what is locally available — any generic park or pond or wildlife area will do — and adapt existing off-site class plans to the unique attractions in your own community.

Begin your planning at the National Park Service website, a comprehensive resource that offers teachers hundreds of detailed activities and tools through the “Parks as Classrooms” program. Follow the links from “Park Smart” to “The Learning Place” to “Curriculum-Based Education Programs” to find pre- and post-field trip ideas, as well tips for making the visit itself a meaningful experience.

There are three excellent supplements to the NPS site. Project Learning Tree, the National Wildlife Federation, and the Environmental Protection Agency all provide environmental education links to curricula, activities, kits, audio-visual aids, and print materials. In addition, the EPA site lists community service projects and opportunities for teacher grants and awards.

When you’ve returned from exploring a park, perhaps your students would benefit from a hands-on experience. How about creating a schoolyard habitat? You’ll find grade-level gardening projects and information on everything from worms to herbs to greenhouses to hydroponics atwww.kidsgardening.com, the National Gardening Association’s website. Search the Teachers’ Resource Room for a list of gardening grants, as well as recommendations by education specialists on age-appropriate gardening reading material. To get your habitat started, register in the “Garden in Every School” program and receive free seeds from the America the Beautiful Fund. From there, go to www.letsgetgrowing.com to register for a free catalog full of hands-on educational products.

Everything you want to know about zoos can be found at Zoonet, an impressive site with education resources on the official zoo pages as well as on pages devoted to botanical and zoological gardens. There is also a large image archive with animal pictures and galleries-perfect for those pre- and post-field trip reports-and a link to the WWW Virtual Library of Zoos.

“Using Zoos in Schools: A How-to Guide” and freebies for teachers may be accessed at theTeacher Tidbits link at the Zooary website. Find zoo class plans, including “Zoo Trips”, “Zoo Tips”, and “Zoo Snooze”, in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, at www.thewildones.org, home of the Children’s Education Project of Wildlife Preservation Trust International. While there, take advantage of the excellent teachers’ message board to compare notes and share curricula.

Friends of the National Zoo has several relevant curriculum links: ”Using the Zoo to Teach Life Science and other Subjects”, “Zoo-Based Teacher Training”, “Planning Your Visit”, and “Resources to Use at the Zoo”, which can all be found at the Teachers Resource Guide.

For integrative curriculum resources, go to zooish.com, an interactive site that lets nature come alive with animation, sound, and movement. Check out the headlines here, too, for breaking science news that is up-dated every 15 minutes.

Visit the Acorn Naturalists website for the scoop on everything aquatic. You’ll find teaching how-to’s on a wide array of topics — rivers, ponds, creeks, wetlands, watersheds, fossils, stones, and swamps — perfect for fashioning your individualized field trip to the geography of your community. Go from there to the ExplorA-Pond ecology website for the “Pond Action” link to hundreds of science and math pond activities for K-6. While there, don’t forget to register your class for the Adopt-A-Pond educational project.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s website has a “Specially for Teachers”link with background reference material for field trips on marine mammals, fish, oceans and coasts, and climate. Be sure to apply for the NOAA’s Teacher at Sea Program which gives K-5 teachers an opportunity to serve in a research capacity aboard NOAA ships.

Sea World and Busch Gardens offers online grade-level teachers’ guides at www.seaworld.org. Integrating science, math, geography, and language the class plans suggest goals and provide vocabularies, experiments, and bibliographies. From there, head to the Sea and Sky website for links, resources, news, and games about the sea. Learn how to start a classroom aquarium — a great post-field trip activity — at Aquarium Resources. Enjoy the electronic field trip that explores the sea.

There is a teachers’ guide at Under the Sea which provides pre-field trip background material and facts on oceanography, fish, and marine mammals. Also check out the “Teachers’ Resources” link for a list of books, videos, and movies on marine topics.

Dozens of links to class plans on ocean-based activities can be found at The Bridge website, especially at the Elementary Resources. Similar educational materials can be found at Ocean Planet.

The Oceans Thematic Unit for Primary Grades, a collaborative effort by College of Library and Information Science students at the University of South Carolina, provides a wide variety of classroom activities and resources. You’ll also find project ideas about Whales and links to whale-watching field trips all over the world.

More Ideas

When you’ve exhausted nature activities, turn to the following general web sites for hundreds of other out-of-the-classroom ideas:

1. Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education

2. National Association of Year-Round Education

3. Organization for Community Networks

4. Saskatchewan Education’s On Line Bibliographies

5. National Science Teachers Association

6. Resources for Environmental Education

7. Education Resources Information Center

8. Teachers First

9. The Gateway to Education Materials

10. Education World

Fox Music House

Ian Downie — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 14:05:50 +0000

I have recently been warmly welcomed to the sales team at Fox Music House. It’s a great honor to be working with the veteran professionals at Fox, especially Charles and Victor. Charles Fox has had the business in his family his entire life and Victor has been providing installation sales for almost 35 years!

I will be applying my skills developing innovative sales approaches and new clients throughout the Carolinas. Working primarily in the education and worship markets, I will be traveling quite a bit, drafting A/V installation and upgrade proposals, working with the technical team and maintaining quality relationships with clients.

If your church, school or organization would like to know how a state-of-the-art sound and video system can impact your bottom line, please give me a call!

No Child Left Inside

Ian Downie — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 12:32:22 +0000

The No Child Left Inside movement is now a national coalition of over 1800 business, health, youth, faith, recreational, environmental, and educational groups representing over 50 million Americans.

They have released this very inspiring video. Watch and enjoy!

Leadership Clinics

Ian Downie — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 02:22:01 +0000

Leadership Clinics

What is a leadership clinic and why have them?

The Leadership Clinic model is fundamentally different than any other state or national conference because it provides an intensive focus on organizational and leadership skill development for environmental education (EE) professionals. The Leadership Clinic is also unique in that it provides state-level EE leaders with the opportunity to exchange ideas and strategies with their peers in a variety of innovative group process settings. The Leadership Clinic is a participant-driven, professional development event at which "Everyone has something to give; everyone has something to gain."

The purpose of the leadership clinic is four-fold:
1) to provide a growing network of EE leaders with opportunities to exchange information and ideas;
2) to provide state/provincial EE leaders with training in organizational development, grassroots organization, and strategic planning;
3) to help state/provincial teams develop or refine EE action plans; and
4) to provide a forum for discussion about strategies to increase capacity for EE at the local, state, regional and national levels.

Much of the clinic is spent in individual team planning sessions, during which local, state and national teams invite floating facilitators, resource people, and other teams to work with them as-needed. Through the use of large group processes such as Open Space technology and Heads Together, multiple-state groups work together periodically to address topics of shared interest or concern. Finally, skill building and professional development sessions are active sessions where every team leaves with a product such as a plan strategy draft, a grant proposal draft, a conceptual map, a set of draft EE guidelines, a media plan, or a written exercise for organizational development.

Read about past Leadership Clinics

How Do We Measure Success?…Evaluation and the 2003 EETAP Leadership Clinic (Summer 2003)
Leadership Clinic Design Workshop: Modeling the Process (Fall 2002)
Community Ou…[read more]

Web of Water

Ian Downie — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 16:55:13 +0000

I have been working with the Lowcountry Environmental Education Programs for several years and was proud to play a key role in LEEP’s 2008 Web Of Water expedition. WOW is a kayak expedition to promote an appreciation of our natural and cultural heritage as well as an understanding of the challenges we face with growth and change. I provided all ground logistics, transportation and much of the nature videography in the film.

Rising Seas: Challenges and Opportunities for the Lowcountry

Ian Downie — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:41:25 +0000

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy commissioned me to create an awareness video about sea level rise and it’s impact on residents of Charleston, South Carolina. Screened for the mayors of every regional area, and seen by thousands online and in theaters, here it is.

Music With A Message

Ian Downie — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 14:38:10 +0000

Open Dome Productions recently produced an awareness video for the Coastal Conservation League. It features their director making the call to action for musicians to raise their activist voice online! Watch the video here.

INDIGO

Ian Downie — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:13:08 +0000

INDIGO stands for Integrating Nature through Discovery, Inquiry and Going Outdoors.

MyIndigo.net is the community hub for INDIGO instructors to watch new teacher training videos, share their success stories, and get assistance and advice.

Click Here To Visit MyIndigo.net NOW!

Spearheaded by the SC Department of Education and supported by the EPA and the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina, INDIGO is the most innovative, forward thinking outdoor education teacher training project today!

In 2009, the South Carolina’s Department of Education partnered with Conscious Blue Communications and Open Dome Productions to create a first class teacher training documentary to be distributed to schools statewide, broadcast on ETV, and circulated by the EPA. It not only showcases the state’s most innovative experiential education pilot programs, but shows teachers how to implement cutting edge cross curriculum pedagogies in their classrooms.

Open Dome Productions

Ian Downie — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 11:16:49 +0000

Open Dome Productions is a full-service immersive video production company that brings high quality experiences to events around the country. Our creative tem utilizes cutting edge production tools and techniques to develop creative new methods of engaging audiences. We specialize in 360 degree video environments, large scale projection, custom content production, and interactive installations.

Visit www.OpenDome.net for more information

EEASC

Ian Downie — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 11:11:21 +0000

The Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC) is a non-profit association with a leadership role in environmental and natural resource conservation education in South Carolina. EEASC was formed in 1977 from the Environmental Education Advisory council which guided efforts in environmental education for the South Carolina Department of Education.

I am currently serving on the board of directors to bring a unique business development perspective to the organization, as well as my skills in communications, multimedia, web design and strategic planning. I have been elected as chair of the communications committee, where I’m developing an organizational communications handbook, website infrastructure, a sectional and regional development plan and many internal tools to support a stronger board.

I’ve got my troubles

Ian Downie — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:06:05 +0000

I’ve Got My Troubles

Open Dome Open House

Ian Downie — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:00:53 +0000

Sunday, October 3rd Open Dome Productions will host their official launch party at the The Pour House, Charleston, SC. The event will be a celebration of video, light and sound, showcasing their signature 360 degree immersive dome environments.

The day will start with VIPs joining the Open Dome team as they showcase their educational programming inside the 15 ft. dome theater, as well as feature applications for corporate conferences, presentations, presentations and non-profit fund raising events in the 30 ft. dome theater.

Late in the afternoon Open Dome will feature the premiere of Planet Charleston, a film featuring iconic locations in Charleston from a unique perspective, the Lowcountry’s first immersive film and dome theater. The media is invited to attend a sneak preview from 5:30-6:00pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to be first in Charleston to see this amazing show!

As evening approaches, Open Dome will transform the inside of the Pour House into a artful celebration of video, light and sound, while the 30 ft. immersive dome will rise in the back, and the Key of Q will take the main stage for two sets of “Nu-Jazz Funk.” Live projections throughout the evening will be provided by Open Dome’s very own VJ Soup and DJ sets by Bhakti and Curfew.

Schedule of Events

2:00-6:00 pm, VIP Open House, light food and beverages will be provided
5:30-6:00 pm, Media Sneak Preview, Premiere Planet Charleston
6:00-9:00 pm, Public Premiere of Planet Charleston ($10 cover charge for entry after 6 pm)
9:00-10:00 pm, VJ and DJ Shows
10:00-12:00, Live Music by The Key of Q

Pre-register Here For Planet Charleston Premiere!

Press

Charleston City Paper

“Open Dome Productions brings the planetarium to you”

“The Key of Q work with pockets of improv”

Event Calendar

Charleston Scene

Look under This Week’s Issue – page 6

McKay Communications

McKay Buzz

Charleston Regional Business Journal

Press Release: South Carolina’s First Immersive Dome Educational Field Trips

Ian Downie — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:03:06 +0000

For Immediate Release

Contact: Diana Bristow
Educational Booking
Open Dome Productions
t: 888.DOME-360 x-1
education@opendome.net

Open Dome Productions Launches South Carolina’s First Immersive Dome Theater Educational Field Trips

Charleston, South Carolina, August 24, 2010

Open Dome Productions, based in Charleston, SC, is a full service video production company that delivers the next generation of immersive dome theater field trips directly to schools throughout the Southeast.

The immersive experience takes students on a journey no bus can. Classes can travel to the rain forest, walk on the moon, swim underwater or journey inside the human body without leaving the safety of the school. Open Dome takes that one step further and curates their show selection to offer the industry’s top educational immersive films. They work with teachers across the southeast to ensure that the experience directly targets the curriculum standards that students need to succeed.

“All of our content partners develop shows to directly support K-12 curriculum standards.” Ian Downie, co-founder. “Many of them come complete with educator guides, standards breakdowns and handouts.”

Open Dome’s ultra-portable full-dome theatre, sound and video projection system comes right to the classroom for less than the average field trip. Everything is included, from delivery and setup to content and presentation so you don’t have to worry about a thing. The lightweight production and technology that power the portable immersive dome provide an opportunity for millions of children to virtually visit otherwise impossible to reach places.

Teachers and parents: Call us today at 888-Dome-360 to learn how we can bring the dome to your school.

About Open Dome Productions:

Open Dome Productions is a full service immersive video production company bringing 3D, high definition dome theaters to corporations, non-profit organizations, events, trade shows, festivals, and schools. Our creative team uses cutting edge production techniques to turn your ideas into a powerful and captivating reality. We bring our domes to your location to provide a 360 degree HD immersive video environment that will captivate your audiences, enhance your brand, drive more business, create a memorable event and have fun!

Surround sound and the latest projection technologies are combined with creative content to reinforce your customized message, to make an unforgettable and compelling experience for your target customers, and to meet your marketing objectives.

We encourage local business leaders to contact us about sponsorships, scholarships, and how you can help bring the dome to a school or event near you. Call 888-366-3360 ext#8 for more information

The opportunities are endless-open your mind and experience the dome!

Open Dome Productions
1094 Morrison Drive
Charleston, South Carolina 29401
Captivate-Educate-Motivate
www.opendome.net

New Year at Kiawah

Ian Downie — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 15:55:40 +0000

Open Dome Productions has collaborated with Kiawah Island’s Night Heron Center on their annual New Year’s Party! This family friendly event will take place at the beautiful Night Heron Center on the back lawn over looking the water. Of course in true Open Dome fashion, we have come up with an amazing schedule of immersive videos that will be playing in the large dome throughout the night! It should make for a wonderful party and a perfect way to ring in the new year…in the dome!