Finally online! References to this site aside, I really think this is a pretty good article in terms of setting up the need that we all see Web logs filling.
Publishing student writing, however, has yet to gain widespread adoption in middle and high school English classes, a fact that seems particularly striking when you consider the advantages of inviting readers to respond to student-authored work…The challenge, as it so often is with new uses of technology, is integration. How do educators take advantage of the Web’s publishing tools with limited time and resources and in keeping with the standards? Enter a promising new use of technology called Web logs-or blogs, for short. Part Web site, part journal, part free-form writing space, blogs have the potential to enhance writing and literacy skills while offering a uniquely stylized form of expression.
Obviously, the rest is worth the read as well.
Will,
If you are looking for a tipping point go no further than this.
http://weblog.siliconvalley.com/column/dangillmor/archives/000802.shtml#000802
Google has just offed any plans MS might have had to blog. Whether this is for good or ill we won’t know until… it happens.
I’m thinking this will bring a whole bunch more people to the table at least from a conceptual standpoint. I think that’s good. We’ll see.