I was really excited and proud to work on the website for this joint project by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Viacom. While I only wrote for the website and a few PSA scripts, the overall scope of the project is just huge. The site was launched via a half hour TV show that aired simultaneously on every Viacom channel. Obama, Lebron and a host of other celebs were involved. The whole project is being backed by PC pioneer turned education reformer Bill Gates. If anyone has the money and resources to change our entire country's education system, it's him.
getschooled.com was built as a resource for anyone and everyone looking to start fresh. From inner city highs school dropouts to upper class college grads who are unhappy with their career. But the key was not just presenting the information, but presenting it in an engaging, intuitive way that simplified not just the process of getting more education, but the process of learning where to start. The site is populated with a constant influx of new videos featuring celebs and athletes talking about the importance of staying in school and getting an education. There are two unique ways to research different careers, by Things I Like and People I Admire.
Things I Like
People I Admire
My mom has been on the school committee for years, giving me an insider's view of the average town's school system. I'd been against the whole No Child left behind thing since Day 1. It didn't help that it was Bush's idea. But the whole system seemed flawed in the first place. Our country has forgotten what school is all about. It's not about testing and grades. It's about finding a path. Today there's too much emphasis on testing and not enough effort put into developing a career path for students. Teachers are forced to change curriculum and teach test answers instead of life answers. Hopefully Get Schooled makes a difference in not just how many people seek to further their education, but how the education system works in our country.
Comments