Comments for Learning Gems http://bookjewel.edublogs.org Just another Edublogs.org weblog Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:16:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Blogs are learning gems… (Sue, I hope you’re reading this!) by Kate Tabor http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/2008/08/17/blogs-are-learning-gems-sue-i-hope-you%e2%80%99re-reading-this/#comment-57 Kate Tabor Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:36:42 +0000 http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/?p=54#comment-57 Thanks for this great post! I have just recently begin writing about my teaching (I write about food and family and travel) and over the last year I have been reading lots of edubloggers but not responding to any of them. I have begun to see the power of comments as a writer (I want to know what people think!) so the dialog is important. Thanks - I'm hoping to use blogs this year in my all my classes and develop that engagement that you write about with my own students. Thanks for this great post! I have just recently begin writing about my teaching (I write about food and family and travel) and over the last year I have been reading lots of edubloggers but not responding to any of them. I have begun to see the power of comments as a writer (I want to know what people think!) so the dialog is important.

Thanks - I’m hoping to use blogs this year in my all my classes and develop that engagement that you write about with my own students.

]]> Comment on Blogs are learning gems… (Sue, I hope you’re reading this!) by Cathy Nelson http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/2008/08/17/blogs-are-learning-gems-sue-i-hope-you%e2%80%99re-reading-this/#comment-56 Cathy Nelson Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:11:40 +0000 http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/?p=54#comment-56 I don't think blogging is for everyone. I commend you for teaching the class, but I would not pressure the one who is questioning having a blogging presence. I did not create my own presence until I had immersed myself in reading others. I was not motivated until I wanted to reflect publicly in my own space. Before that it was enough to read and learn from others who blogged, and commenting fed my desire to publicly reflect. I wouldn't put pressure on those who feel they don't have anything to say right now. If it is meant to be, it will come in time. There are many out there who blog, but blog only every once in a while. One of the ones I like to read is David Jakes, who writes http://thestregthofweakties. David doesn't overdo it at all, but rather posts when something really churns his thoughts. You might get a couple a posts one month and then not read anythng new for two months. Don't blog just to be an echo chamber, and don't blog because its the popular thing to do. Blog to initiate conversations and expand your own learning. Blogging does not make you a better learner, rather the tool allows you to practice activities that do. Those activities are conversing around a topic, seeing what others think, and reflecting on those thoughts and conversations. And that is the beauty of commenting on blogs, links to other blogs, and using a reader. In my own instruction about blogs, I've never encouraged anyone to blog. My initial instruction dealt more with getting a reader, subscribing and reading blogs, and subscribing to and blog comments. Many use readers, and subscribe to posts, but fail to subscribe the rss for comments. These two feeds are the ones I look for. I rarely subscribe to a blog that does not offer both feeds. Why? Because it's not what the blogger has to say that makes me like a blog, but rather the interaction that takes place between the blogger's post and the commenters, and yes, even the blogger commenting back and forth with commenters in his or her own comments. Great examples that come to mind are Will Richardson's Weblogged, Dean Shareski's Ideas and Thoughts, and Doug Johnson's Blue Skunk Blog. These embody exactly what I like in blogs:posts-->comments-->responses to comments (in the comments field.) Go check them out. And don't feel like you have failed if a person you are leading in staff development just does not dive right in. I don’t think blogging is for everyone. I commend you for teaching the class, but I would not pressure the one who is questioning having a blogging presence. I did not create my own presence until I had immersed myself in reading others. I was not motivated until I wanted to reflect publicly in my own space. Before that it was enough to read and learn from others who blogged, and commenting fed my desire to publicly reflect. I wouldn’t put pressure on those who feel they don’t have anything to say right now. If it is meant to be, it will come in time. There are many out there who blog, but blog only every once in a while. One of the ones I like to read is David Jakes, who writes http://thestregthofweakties. David doesn’t overdo it at all, but rather posts when something really churns his thoughts. You might get a couple a posts one month and then not read anythng new for two months. Don’t blog just to be an echo chamber, and don’t blog because its the popular thing to do. Blog to initiate conversations and expand your own learning. Blogging does not make you a better learner, rather the tool allows you to practice activities that do. Those activities are conversing around a topic, seeing what others think, and reflecting on those thoughts and conversations. And that is the beauty of commenting on blogs, links to other blogs, and using a reader. In my own instruction about blogs, I’ve never encouraged anyone to blog. My initial instruction dealt more with getting a reader, subscribing and reading blogs, and subscribing to and blog comments. Many use readers, and subscribe to posts, but fail to subscribe the rss for comments. These two feeds are the ones I look for. I rarely subscribe to a blog that does not offer both feeds. Why? Because it’s not what the blogger has to say that makes me like a blog, but rather the interaction that takes place between the blogger’s post and the commenters, and yes, even the blogger commenting back and forth with commenters in his or her own comments. Great examples that come to mind are Will Richardson’s Weblogged, Dean Shareski’s Ideas and Thoughts, and Doug Johnson’s Blue Skunk Blog. These embody exactly what I like in blogs:posts–>comments–>responses to comments (in the comments field.) Go check them out. And don’t feel like you have failed if a person you are leading in staff development just does not dive right in.

]]> Comment on Blogs are learning gems… (Sue, I hope you’re reading this!) by amymcordova http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/2008/08/17/blogs-are-learning-gems-sue-i-hope-you%e2%80%99re-reading-this/#comment-55 amymcordova Sun, 17 Aug 2008 13:13:04 +0000 http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/?p=54#comment-55 @bookjewel. Good post. I have to admit that I tend to Blurk. I like to read and digest what others have to say. I also like to post to my own blogs. However, since being a part of my PLN, I have started to comment more often. I love the idea of taking class time to read, comment, and post. Time is always an issue so giving dedicated class time is wonderful. You have inspired me to do a class on blogging. @bookjewel. Good post. I have to admit that I tend to Blurk. I like to read and digest what others have to say. I also like to post to my own blogs. However, since being a part of my PLN, I have started to comment more often.

I love the idea of taking class time to read, comment, and post. Time is always an issue so giving dedicated class time is wonderful. You have inspired me to do a class on blogging.

]]> Comment on Blogs are learning gems… (Sue, I hope you’re reading this!) by Nedra Isenberg http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/2008/08/17/blogs-are-learning-gems-sue-i-hope-you%e2%80%99re-reading-this/#comment-54 Nedra Isenberg Sun, 17 Aug 2008 13:11:49 +0000 http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/?p=54#comment-54 This sounds like a great way to get the teachers involved. I've been very lax this summer about not reading many other blogs and have done even worse when it comes to commenting. As a consequence I have not blogged much either. It all fits together. Now that I've had a break from it I'm ready to get back at it. If at the end of three months some of your students decide they aren't "bloggers at heart" don't take it personally. You've done a great job of introducing them to the blogsophere. Even if they become blurkers that's better than not reading at all. Good luck with your project. This sounds like a great way to get the teachers involved. I’ve been very lax this summer about not reading many other blogs and have done even worse when it comes to commenting. As a consequence I have not blogged much either. It all fits together. Now that I’ve had a break from it I’m ready to get back at it.
If at the end of three months some of your students decide they aren’t “bloggers at heart” don’t take it personally. You’ve done a great job of introducing them to the blogsophere. Even if they become blurkers that’s better than not reading at all.
Good luck with your project.

]]> Comment on Blogs are learning gems… (Sue, I hope you’re reading this!) by gkat http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/2008/08/17/blogs-are-learning-gems-sue-i-hope-you%e2%80%99re-reading-this/#comment-53 gkat Sun, 17 Aug 2008 09:13:22 +0000 http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/?p=54#comment-53 That's a great idea @bookjewel. Reading blogs and commenting on them can be a great introduction to writing one's own. My class has actually learned a lot from other teachers' comments on their blog and used the ideas in their learning. They have visited other students' blogs and looked at new work - it can be lots of fun! I can understand some people not blogging. Maybe some people (I'm including myself here) need more time than others to get used to being published. If I do start a blog I'm pretty sure it will be inspired by those blogs on which I already read and comment. I wish you and your teachers luck. That’s a great idea @bookjewel. Reading blogs and commenting on them can be a great introduction to writing one’s own. My class has actually learned a lot from other teachers’ comments on their blog and used the ideas in their learning. They have visited other students’ blogs and looked at new work - it can be lots of fun!

I can understand some people not blogging. Maybe some people (I’m including myself here) need more time than others to get used to being published. If I do start a blog I’m pretty sure it will be inspired by those blogs on which I already read and comment. I wish you and your teachers luck.

]]> Comment on Blogs are learning gems… (Sue, I hope you’re reading this!) by Skip Zalneraitis http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/2008/08/17/blogs-are-learning-gems-sue-i-hope-you%e2%80%99re-reading-this/#comment-52 Skip Zalneraitis Sun, 17 Aug 2008 08:43:31 +0000 http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/?p=54#comment-52 BookJewel- I think this is a marvelous strategy, if I may call it that. This is a wonderful solution for educators who are asking their students and colleagues to adopt and adapt Web 2.0 tools. I'm sorry for your angst, but I think you will be rewarded for it. -Skip BookJewel-
I think this is a marvelous strategy, if I may call it that. This is a wonderful solution for educators who are asking their students and colleagues to adopt and adapt Web 2.0 tools. I’m sorry for your angst, but I think you will be rewarded for it.
-Skip

]]> Comment on Wordle is the Word by Rhondda http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/2008/07/26/wordle-is-the-word/#comment-51 Rhondda Sat, 09 Aug 2008 08:26:05 +0000 http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/?p=50#comment-51 This is a great blog. The sharing of ideas is wonderful and can only make the experience of our students all the richer. We are using Wordle in one of our book week activities this year as well as a few other web2.0 tools. We think thet the kids will have great fun constucting their own wordles for books that they like. This is a great blog. The sharing of ideas is wonderful and can only make the experience of our students all the richer. We are using Wordle in one of our book week activities this year as well as a few other web2.0 tools. We think thet the kids will have great fun constucting their own wordles for books that they like.

]]> Comment on Teachers sharing = lots of Learning Gems! by thinkingtom http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/2008/08/02/teachers-sharing-lots-of-learning-gems/#comment-50 thinkingtom Sat, 02 Aug 2008 16:21:07 +0000 http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/?p=53#comment-50 I love expanding the festival. I started experimenting with additional medias last year and thinking about having a 'literacy festival' - movies, art, multimedia, spoken word, music. I'm finding boys 8 - 12 much more excited about writing a moviescript than an essay. Have you seen the book review done as a movie trailer? Wonderful stuff. There is a huge connection to the content when they are doing more than "schoolwork"! Tom I love expanding the festival. I started experimenting with additional medias last year and thinking about having a ‘literacy festival’ - movies, art, multimedia, spoken word, music.

I’m finding boys 8 - 12 much more excited about writing a moviescript than an essay. Have you seen the book review done as a movie trailer? Wonderful stuff.

There is a huge connection to the content when they are doing more than “schoolwork”!

Tom

]]> Comment on Teachers sharing = lots of Learning Gems! by Heidi Pence http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/2008/08/02/teachers-sharing-lots-of-learning-gems/#comment-49 Heidi Pence Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:56:32 +0000 http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/?p=53#comment-49 I had thought that teachers that would not share were most often just wanting to hold onto their original ideas. You opened my eyes to another reason-one that is not selfish at all. I wanted to share an idea that I saw at a public school that I was visiting. I am not a librarian but I love to read, have my own kids hooked on reading and think that the library is one of the most important places that a person can learn about the joy of reading. In this school worked an incredible elementary librarian (now probably a library media specialist). She made every week a special reading week. In the main entry hall of the school there was a special display case that she changed weekly. It was made to look like a prize or present. In it was a featured authors books, information about them, real items that gave clues about the book and a challenge question that when the students came to her for library class they could get answered. The teachers in the school made it a point every week to walk their classes to the case, gather round and talk about the books and the author. Most often the "challenge question" got answered earlier than library class because the teacher asked the students to research it. All teachers said that their students looked forward to the surprise reading case each week. You would not think that 6th or 7th grades could get excited about this but they did. I have seen some really nice bulletin board displays of featured authors in many schools that I have visited. I think the reason that the surprise case worked its magic was 1.the students were led to the case with a sense of mystery 2. they could gather around and see interesting things 3. the classroom teachers enthusiasm, excitement and follow through. Thank you for letting ME share something with your readers on your blog. *Heidi http://hpence.blogspot.com I had thought that teachers that would not share were most often just wanting to hold onto their original ideas. You opened my eyes to another reason-one that is not selfish at all.

I wanted to share an idea that I saw at a public school that I was visiting. I am not a librarian but I love to read, have my own kids hooked on reading and think that the library is one of the most important places that a person can learn about the joy of reading.
In this school worked an incredible elementary librarian (now probably a library media specialist). She made every week a special reading week. In the main entry hall of the school there was a special display case that she changed weekly. It was made to look like a prize or present. In it was a featured authors books, information about them, real items that gave clues about the book and a challenge question that when the students came to her for library class they could get answered. The teachers in the school made it a point every week to walk their classes to the case, gather round and talk about the books and the author. Most often the “challenge question” got answered earlier than library class because the teacher asked the students to research it. All teachers said that their students looked forward to the surprise reading case each week. You would not think that 6th or 7th grades could get excited about this but they did.
I have seen some really nice bulletin board displays of featured authors in many schools that I have visited. I think the reason that the surprise case worked its magic was 1.the students were led to the case with a sense of mystery 2. they could gather around and see interesting things 3. the classroom teachers enthusiasm, excitement and follow through.
Thank you for letting ME share something with your readers on your blog.

*Heidi

http://hpence.blogspot.com

]]> Comment on Teachers sharing = lots of Learning Gems! by Sharon Elin http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/2008/08/02/teachers-sharing-lots-of-learning-gems/#comment-48 Sharon Elin Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:43:01 +0000 http://bookjewel.edublogs.org/?p=53#comment-48 Great resources! Thank you for the creative fifty-word story idea, which should inspire some entertaining submissions. The student samples especially help! I'll share these with teachers in my district, and I know they'll appreciate it! Great resources! Thank you for the creative fifty-word story idea, which should inspire some entertaining submissions. The student samples especially help! I’ll share these with teachers in my district, and I know they’ll appreciate it!

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