Jenni Clark

This web carol says it all...

I wonder as I wander all over the net,
If people who write ed tech blogs still forget
That teachers may blog in a workshop and then
Be hampered by tugs between time and the pen.

If we really want to see students who write
On wikis and blogs both in class and at night,
We need to find tools and resources just right
To save teachers time and not force them to fight…

For access to places both simple and safe
So parents and principals never will chafe.
For computers in classrooms that do operate
And home Internet access all over the state.

I wonder as I wander the ed tech blog’sphere
If we preach to the choir– the wise few who come here.
If perhaps it’s the people who show the most fear
Whom we should address with our efforts sincere.

The greatest of gifts we could wrap just might be
Bringing visitors into our midst so they see
The passion of teachers and hopes yet to be
With classes that thrive aboard blogs and wikis.

So to each other we should blog no more,
Instead bring in parents and VIPs galore
To see what the tools of web 2 have in store
For learners not limited to our own shores.

I wonder as I wander if I could invite
Just one parent or maybe a blog neophyte
To comment right here and see the bright light
Of learning not just so that each answer is "right."

Of asking more questions than knowing it all
Of seeking for answers outside the school walls
With peers side by side or in a world virtual
Where loving to learn is the beckoning call.

So speak up and ask what these wiki things are
And how children write blogs from both near and afar
And how you can help make this vision a star
For us all to follow and wander no more

Blog project has legs and a rant...

Last week, I had my fourth and fifth grade gifted kids post to the Team Clark weblog for the first time.  Here are a few observations from that experience.  First of all, it was amazingly simple to teach the kids how to access, post and check over their writing.  Secondly, they were instantly engaged.  Within 15 minutes in each class, kids were writing.  That is very exciting to me.  Finally, I think this project has legs, meaning, I am looking forward to where the kids and I are going to end up using blogging as the hook. 

Time for a Monday Morning Rant....

I can totally relate to people who get overwhelmed by this kind of stuff.  Candace Shively at Shively Blogmire wonders the same thing.  How can we as teachers possibly get a grip on all there is to know about the ever evolving web?  A few of us are willing to spend our personal time on it because it is fun or we have access to better equipment that makes it SOOO easy.  But other teachers have small children, or another job, or other personal responsibilities that keep them from being able to grow technologically.  I have to offer up that there are plenty of people that are willing to let someone else  be "in charge" of "that".  I have noticed that some people think of new web tools or gadgets as something else they have to add to what they are doing.  I have changed my thinking on this.  I think that we should be using the really new and fun stuff to replace what we have done in the past.  Let's blog instead of journaling in a folder.  Let's use graphic organizers on a SMART board instead of chart paper.  Let's authentically teach research skills on the computer using a child's interest as the hook instead of assigning a topic.  Let's at least try,people.