Spot Valley High gets IT boost

MORE than 1,000 students of Spot Valley High School are beneficiaries of a now fully functional e-learning facility, complete with 23 computers and Internet connectivity, courtesy of Flow.

The firm collaborated with the school's administration to help implement an integrated approach to learning, which has seen eight of the computers donated to two control groups of students facing challenges in mathematics and English language.

In these groups, teachers will introduce new strategies, including the use of technology, in their day-to-day curriculum. The entire process, including students' performance, will be monitored and compared to other groups to measure effectiveness.

The presentation of computers, which took place last on December 1, is a new initiative spearheaded by Flow in partnership with the Rotary Club of Montego Bay Sunrise and Jamaica Labour Party candidate for East Central St James Edmund Bartlett. It is intended to provide an opportunity for students to hone their research skills and expand their educational capacity.

Doreth Chambers, principal of Spot Valley High, who received the computers, said the donation was timely.
"The existence of Internet and computers in our schools will open a whole range of bright and dynamic opportunities for both our students and our teachers," she said in a release to the media.

"I expect that the students will independently seek knowledge and understand it in new ways and that the teachers will experiment with learning and (as such), garner better results," Chambers added.
Bartlett agreed.

"This initiative by Flow to provide Internet connection and the appropriate hardware to facilitate e-learning is a most commendable and far-reaching input in our education process. The Spot Valley High School community, which is both fledging and impressionable, will be indelibly impacted by this technological input in their development," said the man who, up to recently, was Jamaica's minister of tourism.

"... I am acutely aware of the invaluable support that this gesture means to the students and faculty, as not only will their learning methods be enhanced, but the tools available to the teachers will be sharpened to achieve the quality education the community so richly needs," Bartlett added.

Although in existence for only five years, Spot Valley High boasts several achievements which include current enrolment of the first group of sixth-form students at the institution -- the only one of its kind in the area with a sixth-form programme. In recent months, the school has also made significant strides in its performance, excelling in the areas of culture and music.

However, Spot Valley High was considered for the donation after experiencing some significant challenges with resources for their new e-learning room.

The school is a beneficiary of Flow's flagship corporate social responsibility programme Building Leaders Through Technology, which facilitates the installation of complimentary high-speed Internet and educational cable TV throughout schools islandwide. The services are donated to schools free of cost in an effort to aid the teaching and learning process with technology.

"We live in a time where technology plays a key role in every area of our lives. Flow is committed to providing students and teachers with the best learning experience available, with access to advanced technologies. We are doing our part to ensure that each student has a fair opportunity to achieve their goals and dreams by providing these services," said Nicole Campbell, Flow's public relations executive.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/career/Spot-Valley-High-gets-IT-boost_10425615#ixzz1iNYSZ7NF

Spreading Christmas Cheer

Flow, in partnership with The Gleaner and the Acts of the Holy Spirit Ministries International, fed over 40 homeless persons in Montego Bay on Sunday. This forms apart of Flow's mandate this festive season to help persons who are in need.- Photo by Sheena Gayle

In spreading the gift of benevolence in this festive season, telecommunications provider Flow partnered with Acts of the Holy Spirit Ministries International to feed some 40 homeless people in Montego Bay on Sunday.

Public relations manager at Flow, Jeanette Lewis, said the initiative was part of a greater effort to spread the Christmas cheer to those who are less fortunate and to ensure the indigents are cared for.

"It is not very often that our homeless persons are provided with the spiritual nutrition and receive the actual nutrition for the body," she outlined.

"We wanted it to be done right and we were told that Sam Sharpe Square is the place they worship on a Sunday, and we set up something nice in their natural environment and treated them with the care they deserve."

Pastor Doreth Blake of Acts of the Holy Spirit Ministries International, which does an outreach church service with the homeless persons in Montego Bay, welcomed the effort.

"Every Sunday, we have a church service with the street persons and then we give them a nice Sunday meal after service, and we are always looking for persons to partner with us," the pastor said.

"Drummond Catering is one of our consistent partners, and so we are happy that Flow came and did something like this for the homeless. Many of them are not insane, they are just homeless, and it is our duty to care for those in need."

Grateful for charity

Norris Beckford, who has seen worse days, is grateful for his life and the work of charities in helping him to get his life back on track.

"I was living on the street on drugs and being kicked around. I even lost one of my eyes," he shared. "It was Mr (Paul) and Mrs Blake who showed us that there is a better way to live. There is a better way through Christ. It's not only about feeding us, they have done so much more for us."

He further added that the pastors did not only seek to spread the gospel but actively played a role in ensuring that they were properly fed each Sunday.

Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20111217/news/news5.html

Spot Valley High School and Flow Introduces Integrated Learning Pilot to Boost Performance

In these groups, teachers will introduce new strategies including the use of technology in their day to day curriculum.   The entire process, including students' performance will be monitored and compared to other groups to measure effectiveness.

The presentation of computers, which took place last Thursday, December 1, is a new initiative spearheaded by Flow in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Montego Bay Sunrise and Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Member of Parliament for East Central St. James, provides an opportunity for students to hone their research skills and expand their educational capacity.

Ms. Doreth Chambers, Principal at Spot Valley High School who received the computers, expressed excitement and gratitude for the timely donation.

“The existence of internet and computers in our schools will open a whole range of bright and dynamic opportunities for both our students and our teachers,” she said. “I expect that the students will independently seek knowledge and understand it in new ways and that the teachers will experiment with learning and [as such,] garner better results,” she continued.

Minister Edmund Bartlett who was an integral part of the efforts to complete the e-learning facilities at Spot Valley High School was also on hand to show his support.  “This initiative by Flow to provide internet connection and the appropriate hardware to facilitate e-learning, is a most commendable and far reaching input in our education process.  The Spot Valley High school community which is both fledging and impressionable will be indelibly impacted by this technological input in their development.”

Though just in existence for five-years Spot Valley High boasts several achievements, which include current enrollment of the first group of sixth form students at the institution, the only one of its kind in the area with a sixth, form programme. In recent months, the school has also made significant strides in its performance, excelling in the areas of culture and music.

However, the school was considered for the donation after experiencing some significant challenges with resources for their new e-learning room.

Minister Bartlett also emphasized the use of the new technology as a teaching tool, saying “As Member of Parliament, I am acutely aware of the invaluable support that this gesture means to the students and faculty, as not only will their learning methods be enhanced, but the tools available to the teachers will be sharpened to achieve the quality education the community so richly needs.”

The school is a beneficiary of Flow’s flagship corporate social responsibility programme, Building Leaders Through Technology, which facilitates the installation of complimentary high-speed Internet and educational cable TV throughout schools island-wide. The services are donated to schools free of cost in an effort to aid the teaching and learning process with technology.

Additionally, through a partnership with the Rotary Club of Montego Bay Sunrise earlier, the company was able to ship approximately 500 refurbished computers, in a bid to further enhance the education process for many children and young adults in the area.

Nicole Campbell, Flow’s Public Relations Executive, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to education during the handing over ceremony, commenting that, “We live in a time where technology plays a key role in every area of our lives. Flow is committed to providing students and teachers with the best learning experience available, with access to advanced technologies.  We are doing our part to ensure that each student has a fair opportunity to achieve their goals and dreams by providing these services, " she said.

About Flow


With just about five years since its entry into Jamaica, Flow has already made an indelible impact on the local telecommunications industry placing Jamaica as a regional industry leader for data connectivity and innovative digital products. With its dynamic triple play of services – digital cable TV, landline phone service and blazing speed Internet, Flow is helping to build a tech savvy, digital, knowledge-based society as Jamaicans forges ahead in keeping apace with the latest global technological trends.

Flow has made a significant commitment to Jamaica, investing over US$250 million to date; in developing human resources, building an island wide all digital infrastructure and enhancing digital education in schools as part of the company’s social development programme.  Jamaica is now the only country in the region with a direct undersea fibre-optic connection to the United States and South America as Flow via its express, direct, network system to Boca in Florida and Cartenhaga in Colombia.  The record investment in the undersea system also provides Jamaica with unprecedented capacity, resiliency, redundancy and reliability for broadband data communications.

Flow is also demonstrating excellence in corporate social responsibility by supporting enhanced learning in schools via free internet and educational cable programmes, mentoring and youth development activities with the Service clubs in communities across Jamaica and investments to athletic developments in Jamaica via a partnership with the JAAA.  Flow is also a major supporter of sports in Jamaica via its title sponsorship of the Flow Champions Cup, the national basketball team and basketball league.  The company also supports the development of local cultural by partnering with various groups including CALABASH and the Jamaica Jazz and Blues festivals.


For further information please contact:
Jeanette Lewis (Ms.)
Public Relations Manager-Flow
876-620-3633(SL)
jlewis@flowjamaica.com

FLOW and HBO repeat partnership to Boost exposure for Jazz and Blues Festival

Honorable Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism talks with Michele English, COO at Flow after the Flow/HBO On Demand Launch at the 2011 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival

Jamaica and the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival will once again receive another boost as Flow leverages its broadband technology and partnership with international content provider HBO to help create multiple avenues for exposure.  With the partnership with HBO, viewers across the Caribbean and Latin America will be treated to another Special feature showcasing Jamaica and the 2012 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, a repeat of the highly successful initiative that was such a key element of the previous year's festival.  Flow's technology will also facilitate live streaming to various countries across the globe, OnDemand programmes on its Flow OnDemand platform, and a local feature on Flow TV.

Michele English, President and Chief Operating Officer for Flow, speaking at the launch for the 2012 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, announced the repeat of the partnership with HBO and highlighted the significance of the Festival as being the first major event of the year in which Jamaica celebrates the 50th anniversary of independence. "This was an extremely important motivator for us at Flow as we welcome the opportunity to support and celebrate such a significant milestone in Jamaica's history." English also announced that in addition to the HBO Special, FLOW TV would produce a feature to showcase the festival and also work with the Festival team to develop programmes for Flow's OnDemand platform, enabling viewers to see what they want to see, when they want to see it. "We are delighted that the festival is placing such a strong focus on highlighting the best of Jamaican music and talent over the years. As part of our commitment to support local culture, we continue to seek out avenues to help develop and showcase the rich talent, both on and off the stage, in Jamaica."

"HBO is delighted to be back on board to support the Jamaica Jazz Festival at this very significant time in the island's history during the 50th anniversary celebrations.  We continue to show our commitment by investing and partnering with Flow and the Ministry of Tourism to produce an HBO Special that will be featured throughout the Caribbean and the rest of Latin America." said Miguel Angel Oliva, Vice president of Public Relations and Corporate Affairs for HBO Latin America.  "Our viewers will enjoy this relevant program showcasing the rich culture and beauty of Jamaica."

The Honourable Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism reiterated the importance of the Flow/HBO partnership to Jamaica's tourism. "HBO's presentation on the last Jazz Festival was an absolute success. HBO brought real images and the power of the product to the world which greatly benefitted Jamaica," he said. "I believe that it is HBO that has assisted us in getting the major acts that are headlining the Festival this year. When major acts see that large networks are interested, it invites them to participate." Minister Barlett confirmed that the HBO/FLOW initiative would have a positive impact on efforts to increase tourism arrivals from new markets in the region when he said "Latin and South America are the next frontier for visitors to Jamaica and we are greatly excited that the HBO feature will help us in conveying some of Jamaica's key values which will assist us in our strategic efforts."

The festival this year will also focus on technology for greater avenues for exposure.  English revealed that Flow will leverage its state-of-the art broadband network to provide 100 MBps high speed internet service for the event, enabling live streams and updates from the event. "With this kind of power, the team will be able to stream live all the action to anywhere in the world at the best quality. Local and international media, business partners and patrons will be able to file reports, blog, tweet and post commentary and photos of everything that is happening as part of their Jazz and Blues Festival experience sharing instantly in real time with those who are not able to be there to enjoy it in person," she said.

The 2012 Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival will open on January 26th with first night dedicated to highlighting the best of Jamaican music and talent over the years. Headliner for the festival will be multi-platinum, 5-time Grammy award winning songstress, Celine Dion.  

Teach our children to innovate, urges SRC boss

PROFESSOR Ronald Young, chairman of the Scientific Research Council (SRC) and pro-vice chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI), has called for changes in the education system that promote innovation among students, as a path to securing Jamaica's future development.

Speaking recently at the SRC's public forum "Innovate or Die", Young suggested that a significant factor in a nation's competitiveness is the development of a mindset of innovation among the population, and that this must occur as part of the education process in the schools.


"We start our lives with enormous curiosity, enormous resourcefulness, and with a drive toward innovation. Then, we teach our children answers to questions they have never asked," he said, making the point that Jamaican schools seem to be educating the natural innovative streak out of Jamaican children rather than encouraging that characteristic.

"We do not teach them how to ask questions, how to identify problems and how to find workable, logical solutions to problems. We must teach them to take risks; not be afraid of failure, but to learn from it and do what seems logical even if no one has done it before," he added.

The educator argued that changes in teaching methods and the integration of technology at all academic levels could promote the creativity needed to develop a cadre of business leaders who think outside the box.
Young agreed that initiatives such as Flow's Building Leaders Through Technology programme lays the groundwork for changing teaching methods and challenging students. At the same time, he noted that the earlier students are exposed to technology, the more they will embrace innovation.

Flow, Jamaica's triple-play service provider, introduced the Building Leaders Through Technology initiative in 2006 to enable teachers and their students to embrace technology in education. Through the Building Leaders programme, Flow has provided more than 100 primary and secondary schools with free Internet and cable service, thereby enabling students, teachers as well as parents and community groups to enjoy the real benefits and value of technology as part of the learning process.

Dr Chadwick Anderson, executive director of the SRC, agreed that access to technology is an important part of the education process. He, too, hailed Flow's Building Leaders programme as an important step in bridging the digital divide.

In addition to its support of activities such as the "Innovate or Die" public forum, Flow is involved in several other initiatives aimed at promoting the use of technology as a part of the education process. The broadband service provider also participated in the Ministry of Education's EduVision 2012 at the Jamaica Conference Centre.


Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/career/Teach-our-children-to-innovate--urges-SRC-boss_10331237#ixzz1hpL6ydg1

Professor Calls for Education Reforms to Improve Innovation Skills among Jamaican Students

(SRC)  and  Pro-vice  Chancellor  of  the  University  of  the  West  Indies  (UWI)  has  called  for
fundamental  changes  in  the  education  system  in  order  to  increase  the  innovation  ability of  Jamaican  students  as  a  path  to  securing  the  country’s  future  growth  and  economic development.

Speaking  at  the  Scientific  Research  Council’s  public  forum  “Innovate  or  Die”  recently, Young of a mind-set of innovation among the population, and that this must occur as part of the education  process  in  the  schools.  “We  start  our  lives  with  enormous  curiosity,  enormous resourcefulness, and with a drive toward innovation. Then, we teach our children answers to  questions  they  have  never  asked,”  he  said  making  the  point  that  Jamaican  schools
seem  to  be  educating  the  natural  innovative  streak  out  of  Jamaican  children  rather  than encouraging  that  characteristic.  “We  do  not  teach  them  how  to  ask  questions,  how  to identify problems and how to find workable, logical solutions to problems. We must teach them even if no one has done it before.”

The  educator  argued  that  changes  in  teaching  methods  and  the  integration  of  technology at all academic levels could promote the creativity needed to develop a cadre of business leaders  who  think  outside  the  box.  He  agreed  that  initiatives  such  as  Flow’s  Building Leaders  Through  Technology  programme  lays  the  groundwork  for  changing  teaching methods  and  challenging  students.  He  said  that  the  earlier  students  are  exposed  to
technology, the more they will embrace innovation.

Flow,  Jamaica’s  triple-play  service  provider,  introduced  the  Building  Leaders  Through Technology in  education.  Through  the  Building  Leaders  programme,  Flow  has  provided  over  100 primary  and  secondary  schools  with  free  internet  and  cable  service,  thereby  enabling students, teachers as well as parents and community groups to enjoy the real benefits and value of technology as part of the learning process.

Dr.  Chadwick  Anderson,  Executive  Director  of  the  Scientific  Research  Council  agreed  that access  to  technology  is  an  important  part of  the education  process.  Anderson also hailed Flow’s Building Leaders programme as an important step in bridging the digital divide.

In addition to its support of activities such as the “Innovate or Die” public forum, Flow is involved in several other initiatives aimed at promoting the use of technology as a part of the education process. The broadband service provider also participated in the Ministry of Education’s  EduVision 2012 at the Jamaica Conference Centre


Jeanette Lewis (Ms.)
Public Relations Manager-Flow
876-620-3633(SL)
jlewis@flowjamaica.com

Local Animators Urged to Hone Skills for the Trillion Dollar International Industry

James Parris (left) Visual Effects Artist on the Oscar Award Winning  The Curious Case of Benjamin Button speaks with Jeanette Lewis  PR Manager of Flow about the progress of Jamaican animation.  The animator was  a specially invited guest at the Flow sponsored Anime Caribe Festival held at JAMPRO on Saturday November 19.

Jamaican animators have been encouraged to take steps to increase the capacity and capabilities of the local industry and to explore opportunities in international film markets. This suggestion came from James Parris and Kirstin Solid, two award winning animators, as part of discussions on Jamaica’s potential as a major animation outsourcing locale.  Parris and Solid were special guest presenters at the Flow sponsored Animae Caribe Film Festival which took place recently at JAMPRO in Kingston.

James Parris, a member of the Academy Award winning visual effects team for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button believes that building a body of skilled professionals is very important for the development of the local industry. “Small studios can build their repertoire by bidding on small segments of major films and other smaller projects,” he said, highlighting the opportunity for Jamaican animators in international markets.

Kristin Solid, Animation Supervisor at the Academy Award winning Rhythm and Hues has worked as a Senior Animator on popular and award winning feature films such as King Kong, Transformers, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and the upcoming Snow White and the Huntsman. She confirms that there are possibilities for the local industry to benefit from the trillion dollar animation market in North America. Citing the example of the Summer 2012 release, she said that animations for Snow White and the Huntsman, were created equally between Kuala Lumpur, Vancouver and Los Angeles. “While there may still be the same number of jobs available, they’re not all in L.A., which might be a good thing for Jamaica,” Ms. Solid said, remarking that the island’s proximity to the U.S. is an advantage. Though Hollywood remains the epicenter of the film industry, much work is being outsourced to other countries such as Korea, India, and Vancouver.                                                             

Having amassed extensive experience in the animation industry, Parris and Solid urged Jamaican animators to use their individual development as the driving force for the overall growth of the local industry. Parris explained that to be successful, the learning processes must be continual, “I am still an aspiring animator. I am still a student of life. To me, animation is nothing but regurgitating the stuff that you see all the time,” he said. “You have to absorb life, see how everything around you moves and demonstrate the meaning of a movement.” The visual expert explained that understanding the meaning behind movement separates professionals from amateurs.

Solid complemented this advice encouraging those seeking employment from major studios to create a show-reel featuring their best work “All we care about is that one minute that you show us on your demo-reel,” she said, explaining that performance is valued even over academic references in the elite sector.

Both presenters underscored that entry into a major studio would more than likely mean starting from the bottom with internships being a main entry route. The suggested that aspiring animators must learn even from rejection, and seek to improve skills and maximize opportunities to work with other professionals.

Michael Look Tong, Media Services Director at Flow reiterated his company’s commitment to helping to enhance the performance of the industry. “This partnership with Anime Caribe is very important to us at Flow as it provides another opportunity for us to assist the development of the local production sector,” he said.

Look Tong said that Flow had heeded the call from local producers for additional platforms to showcase local content. The result has been two-fold with the development of FlowTV, which is almost solely dedicated to local content, and Flow OnDemand, which currently airs Jamaica’s first animated series, Cabbie Chronicles, one of its most successful local programmes.

Jamaicans have already made their mark on the international animation scene. At other Animae Caribe festivals in Trinidad, Adrian Lopez of Liquid Light won the BWIA Award for most Outstanding Animation while Allison Latchman was the winner of the DEW Best Caribbean Animation Award for Cabbie Chronicles in 2010. The work of Ian Gooding as Art Director on the Walt Disney feature The Princess and the Frog was nominated for an Annie (the Oscars of Animation). Craig Lyn is an Emmy award winning visual effects specialist whose work has been seen in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

The Animae Caribe Jamaica event was a satellite festival to the 10th anniversary Animae Caribe held in Trinidad in October. Anime Caribe Jamaica was sponsored by Flow and JAMPRO.


For further information please contact:
Jeanette Lewis (Ms.)
FLOW
876-620-3633(SL)
jlewis@flowjamaica.com

Jamaica's Film Industry to Benefit from Local Production Fund

Alison Latchman (center)  organiser of the Animae Caribe Festival, Kim Marie Spence (second left)  Film Commissioner at JAMPRO , and Michael Look Tong (second right) Director of Media Services at Flow, are flanked by  Kristin Solid (left) Senior Animator on Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and James Parris (right) Oscar Award Winning     animator on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.  The animators were specially invited guests at the Animae Caribe Festival held at JAMPRO on Saturday November 19.

Jamaica’s film production industry stands to benefit from increased funding for local productions if the recommendation of the Broadcasting Commission for the establishment of a local Content Production Fund is accepted and the new regulations are implemented.  This facility, complemented by government support, could play an important role in the further development of the industry by generating additional employment and creating other opportunities to increase the capacity and capabilities of the sector.

These points were reiterated by presenters at the recent Anime Caribe Film Festival which was held in Kingston. James Parris, a member of the Academy Award winning visual effects team for feature film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button believes that Government support can play an important role in the development of the industry. Pointing to Vancouver in Canada he said  “Vancouver currently rivals Los Angeles in film production.  That city’s film industry was built largely through extensive government grant support.”  Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, is part of what is referred to as Hollywood North. The Government of British Columbia started providing direct assistance to the industry in 1985. Today total direct and indirect full time equivalent jobs generated by film and TV production in B.C. are estimated at over 36,000.

Michael Look Tong, Director of Media Services at Flow, highlighted the importance of a local production fund for the film industry.  “Flow recognizes the immense challenge that local film and television producers face in bringing their creative ideas for productions to the screen due to the lack of financing,” he said. “This challenge could be overcome with the implementation of the new broadcasting regulations which calls for the establishment of a well needed local production fund that would be financed by the new revenue streams that would be generated once local cable companies are able to sell advertising to local businesses on the international cable channels that we carry.”

Since the announcement by Chairman of the Broadcasting Commission Dr. Hopeton Dunn of the recommendation to set up the local production fund, filmmakers are yet to enjoy the advantages of this facility. The delay in the introduction of the new Jamaica Broadcast Media Policy is a major factor in this regard. The recommendations call for the introduction of new revenue streams for the Broadcasting Commission, a percentage of which would be used to finance the local production fund.  Without the implementation of the recommendations, the revenues and the resulting fund continue to elude the key stakeholders.

The revenues intended to support the local production fund include earnings from substituted advertising by cable operators, the annual license fees collected by the Broadcasting Commission from all broadcasters and fines collected from proposed new financial sanctions. Currently substituted advertising by cable operators is not permitted and free-to-air broadcasters are not required to pay the same license fees for broadcasting as are required from the cable operators. This is a presents an imbalance since cable operators are unable to accept paid advertising yet are required to pay license fees, while free-to-air broadcasters can accept advertising revenue and do not pay the same  license fees.

Despite the difficulties faced by local producers, Flow, Jamaica’s triple-play service provider since 2005, continues to provide another option for local content producers to broadcast their creative materials in a manner that is cost effective and profitable to them.

In August, Flow changed their information Channel 100 to Flow TV which is now a content driven channel featuring a variety of  local programming such as the Lauren O Lauren Show, Pree Dis, Glamour Zone, Vibes Cuisine and Business Suite. In 2010, Flow also launched Jamaica’s first video onDemand service which provides not only a broadcast channel for local programming but significantly,  opportunity for local producers to earn revenue from their productions.  Cabbie Chronicles Jamaica’s biggest success story in the animated film production sector,  is currently one of the most popular local features on Flow onDemand.  The producers of that programme earn a share of the revenue generated from onDemand viewership.