So I’m looking for examples of schools that have begun using Read/Write Web tools to engage in conversations (not simply communicate) with members of the local community. I have a couple of examples where some first steps have been taken, but I’m wondering if some districts are really connecting and networking with audiences outside of school that really inform what’s happening inside. You know, allowing comments on blogs, or collaborating with local mentors, etc. Any pointers?
Technorati Tags: read_write_web, schools, education
In the eduBuzz project I am helping to coordinate we have some really good conversations between parents and the Head of Education in the Local Authority:
http://exc-el.org.uk/blogs/donsblog/
as well as our own dedicated parent blogger who represents the views of hundreds, I’m sure:
http://exc-el.org.uk/blogs/guineapigmum
There are also loads of members in the community (business and parents) who read the blogs but who don’t comment on them online. They do, however, start off in F2F conversations where the online one left.
And a really recent entry on a music teacher reaching into the community without realising it:
http://exc-el.org.uk/blogs/alancoady/2007/01/23/parents-evening/
Here is a blog from our district that has parents and community members commenting what’s going on in the schools.
http://msad48.blogspot.com/
One barrier I see in my own district is that our ESD has installed a really poor blogging service, one that attracts spammers like nothing I’ve ever seen. What’s more, it doesn’t have the tools to fight that spam. No wonder people aren’t using it!
Will, you know that at Iroquois Central School we have more and more teachers that have been enlightened by the read/write web. Pat Aroune was certainly the spark that lit the fire in our high school but we now have at least one teacher in each subject area using blogs, wikis and pod casts. I have several blogs that I use to share information, update the community and communicate thoughts about reforming our high schools. What is most interesting is that I see my blogs tagged and referenced to, parents and teachers talk about them but they share the information either in person or via e-mail. Not sure if posting to a blog with their school superintendent is too ‘out there’. So grateful I had the experience to learn from you. I have to say that the amount of new information I have learned and read has quadrupled since I began exploring the read/write web. Thank you!
I am in the beginning stages of blogging with my school. I have created a blog for my class and am in the process of implementing wider use across the school and thinking about how we can progress in particular reference to the ‘personalising learning’ agenda. Feel free to take a look, and please do leave comments.