NSF LogoNSF Award Abstract - #0229219

The Writing Project


NSF Org ESI
Latest Amendment Date January 30, 2004
Award Number 0229219
Award Instrument Continuing grant
Program Manager Valentine H. Kass
ESI Division of Elementary, Secondary & Informal Education
EHR Directorate for Education & Human Resources
Start Date December 1, 2002
Expires November 30, 2004 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date $505545
Investigator(s) Gene Searchinger Equinoxfilms@mindspring.com (Principal Investigator)
Sponsor Ways of Knowing, Inc.
200 West 72nd Street, Suite 46
New York, NY 10023 / -
NSF Program(s) INFORMAL SCIENCE EDUCATION
Field Application(s) 0000099 Other Applications NEC
Program Reference Code(s) SMET,9177
Program Element Code(s) 7259

Abstract

Ways of Knowing, Inc. is producing two one-hour film documentarties for public television on the origin, nature and history of writing. "The Writing Project" (working title) is about the study of writing as a technology. The goal of the films is to explain how writing systems work and to make people aware of the importance of writing in societies. The programs will address what reading and writing is, how writing was invented and how it is used in dozens of different systems around the world. The focus is on the diversity, yet sameness, of writing systems and on the grand variety of its uses. The target audience is the PBS television audience, with follow-up educational viedocassette distribution to schools and colleges to be used as an introduction to linguistics "basic text." The program's outreach will be enhanced by a companion website and book.

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