Chapter 2: Weblogs
A Sales Pitch on Based on Strength
We know that students (children through teens) can be impulsive by nature, and this fact can lead to misconceptions about Web tools in school. Students themselves may have false impressions of how sites such as Blogs should be used and therefore, mistakenly use them as journals or other social avenues that could even draw negative attention or perhaps predators of different sorts.
TEACHABLE MOMENT, educators!
We teach our children to tie their shoes. We teach them to look both ways before crossing the street. We teach them not to trust strangers. We teach them manners. We teach children daily rules in life to prepare and protect them. And so should education be in Web 2.0, specifically “blogging.”
Even as a supporter and promoter of various Web 2.0 applications, I had no idea of all that blogging has to offer. The learning possibilities are infinite and more importantly profound in value. As Richardson states, “Students are learning to read more critically, think about that reading more analytically, and write more clearly...[while] building relationships with peers, teachers, mentors, and professionals within the weblog environment.”
The learning possibilities extend beyond our students. Germane to my situation, I want to first get my colleagues on board. How can I do this? I’ve already started. 1) I need to become more familiar with blogging, especially to the point where I feel comfortable and able to share my own learning curve; 2) this may include opening my own blog that will by then have developed into a resourceful and inviting weblog where curiosity is sparked from just browsing; 3) I need to enlist a small group of colleagues who will run with this and together, we will start sharing ideas (perhaps in the form of a best practice sharing) and I will enlist another small group of a different nature (a few of my education association members who will collaborate and share to brainstorm ideas for increasing membership); 4) I need to design a simple, nonthreatening in-service that will inspire my colleagues to “join the fun” (not your typical “Oh great, what now!?!” in-service); 5) I need to create a small assignment for my colleagues to practice (similar to what we are doing in class but applicable to an initiative the principal is working toward to help administration).
This post is before reading this book for more ideas and direction (before finishing the Chapter 2 itself... I may need to adapt my ideas as I learn).
