Tim Wilson from the Hopkins School District in Minnesota is leading what looks to be a group of teachers into the Web log universe. I like how he starts his first post:
Imagine having a Web-based writing system that any person could use without knowing any HTML. Imagine having your students getting instant feedback from their peers as they develop a writing assignment. Imagine communicating with your students’ parents or the larger community by sending an email and having it displayed on your Web page. Imagine your students developing a group project and gathering information and feedback from others around the world and having their final product published on the Internet.
The great thing is that even after doing this for almost two years now (I can’t believe it), that whole description still just sounds so cool to me. I think I might also add something along the lines of “Imagine being able to do it without spending any money!” I know that implies ownership of computers and access. But I still think for most schools, this is a no brainer. I’m getting more and more convinced as I see my own teachers start to “get it,” and I’ve been amazed at how many of them have. Here’s a sampling: Bill F., Jon D., John S., Darrell D., and Dan V. They’re all slowly but surely getting cranked up. And more are on the way.
Imagine that…
It’s amazing that my post on a brand-new blog was found so fast! As you surmised, I’m working on promoting blogs to the teachers in the district where I work. My official title is “Technology Integration Specialist” and the bulk of my work with working with teachers and others on way to use technology to improve teaching and learning. That’s where my blog tagline comes from: “Great teaching and learning with technology.”
I’ve subscribed to your feed and will definitely keep track of what’s going on here.
I haven’t quite figured out the trackback stuff yet. Any hints?
-Tim
You seem to be describing my system, the A.U.L.A. Writing System. Developed from the Wiki philosophy (as I think WebLogs are), it is ubiquitous, collaborative, accessible anywhere anytime. I use ( and developed it for that purpose) for practising the English writing skill online. I think it deserves a look. With it I’ve come to the conclusion that, contrary to what Nielsen thinks [http://www.useit.com/alertbox/980920.html], the Web is so versitale that we can develop services not just for reading information, text & images (browsing) but also for writing (to really communicate with the whole Web audience on the fly — something email can’t do!). So, I tell my pupils “Write on the Web!”. [See the AULA System at http://chico.inf-cr.uclm.es/ppsv/aula.html]
Pedro P
P.S.: By the way, I was not so fast in finding this blog (written a year ago), but where can I find the referred blog by Tim Wilson. The url is dead.