I was a pre Xbox, facebook, ipod generation student, and can only imagine having those toys at home then having to sit in front of a mono toned teacher for what would seem like an eternity. I also feel for teachers, how can they possibly compete with all the interactive, high definition, multimedia, graphics and acoustics available today…seeesh! So how does a parent or teacher motivate a kid to think about their life and future in more creative ways?

Well one company, Kidzania seems to be on to something, by inspiring kids through old age “role pay”. But not just any old role play though, this kind of play provides kids with interactive “real life” jobs, money and everyday life scenarios. The project was originally started in Mexico city, by a group of young Mexican entrepreneurs, with a vision for a new kind of family entertainment. Kids receive their own currency the “KidZo” which they can spend, save in their “account”, or of course, work to earn more. The work environments stretch the gamut from hospitals to flipping burgers, and it all comes together and mode possible by brand promotion.

One argument that could be made is that this is advertising to kids, but in reality aren’t they already advertised to without any benefit except the bottom line of the product companies? So, here at least they get to play and see a slice of “real” life.

Although Kidzania started in Mexico, its now in a number of countries with one franchise soon to arrive in Portugal at the the Dolc Vita Tejo – Amadora shopping center, opening dates have not been released, but its expected in 2009.

Kidzania might be one of the first to reach kids in a new interactive format but the good news is its not the last. Similar projects are under way in other part of the world, like Taking ITGlobal working with Microsoft to develop a set a of tools that will enable students from around the globe to collaborate on projects together. Here’s an excerpt from Wikinomics “how mass collaboration changes everything”:

“A teacher in Canada and a teacher in Nigeria sign up, create a virtual classroom, and assign students to group research projects, while the students can blog, post artwork, and collaborate on a class wiki.” With the assistance of Microsoft, the project will be in classrooms across North America by 2008”.

Now that’s a stretch from playing telephone through two cans and some string! Maybe with this type of collaboration, I dare say, we might actually start to hear school is fun again.

We’re always curious to hear about new learning programs, so if anyone knows of interesting projects to teach kids, or adults for that matter, please share.

However, in May 2007, the Portuguese parliament approved a law banning smoking in all public places smaller than 100m2, by January 1st, 2008. So in a few days, Portugal will join other European countries in an attempt to cut down on tobacco-related deaths.

Speaking to some of our favorite restaurateurs here in Algarve, there seems to be a mixed feeling about the smoking ban.

There’s the group that fears the ban will crush their businesses. Then there’s those who show optimism “we might lose some guests who smoke, but we could gain non-smoking clients”. Voila!

It always fascinated me how a quarter of the Portuguese population who smoke seem to have a louder voice than 75% of the population who don’t. So there could actually be a new opportunity to capitalize on the non-smokers who are about to come out of hiding.

What remains to be seen is the after math of the restaurants and establishments, who didn’t heed the warning to make their establishments non-smoking friendly. Either way, an interesting strategy to differentiate could be on the horizon.

Then the other morning while listening to the radio, the subject of going to the movies came up again, this time, it was a radio personality out on the street asking passers by “what would make your movie going experience better?” Hummm…..coincidence?

Some of the responses were as expected – “healthier food options”, “less people chatting”, “personal headsets, to block out those people chatting” and so on…

Personally, food is my big thing…but I’ve now adapted myself to the mix of sweet/salty popcorn and those tangy long strips of candy…guilty. However, if there were healthy and delicious options like a mini portable sushi, fruit cup or salad I would choose those just as easily, especially on movie nights that start at dinnertime.

But the question remains…what is the problem with the movies these days? Are more people downloading movies, buying DVD’s, watching them on home systems, or are there too many competing entertainment options? A friend of mine and new mom in Canada, tells me movie cinemas introduced Mom & Me programs a few years ago, promoting mom and kid times during slower times of the day. This allows moms and fussy little ones a break, plus entertainment that would normally be difficult to come by. Would this help here in Portugal?

Could it be movies aren’t the problem, but rather lifestyle changes are impacting our ability or need to go to the movies…?

See if you can spot what’s missing from the ad.