For the first time ever in the history of the internet, we have created a global edublog that is administered, designed, edited, and written by students, and only students. In an otherwise teacher-dominated blogging community, we have decided to speak up and let ourselves be heard. Hailing from Hawaii and Washington, from St. Louis and Chicago, from Vermont, New York, Scotland, Korea, and other points on the globe, we have one goal in mind: expressing our opinions and perspectives about education with clarity and confidence. We plan on contributing our unique and insightful perspectives with the objective to better the world of education.
Connected and mentored by English teacher Clay Burell, each student has an equal influence. Clay has given so much of his time to help us through the many unexpected problems that arose. An experienced blogger and thinker, we’ve been able to bounce our ideas off of him, and get unbiased feedback, constantly keeping in mind that his role is not as a supervisor or teacher.
Each of our main contributors will be publishing a post today. One new post will appear every six hours. We’ve worked hard to get where we are, and we want you to see what we’re capable of.
We understand the importance of audience. We understand that you don’t know our world, and many of you are curious. So if there are any topics you want us to address, there’s a comment box waiting for you below this post. We’re listening.
Now trust in your readers and time. Both are good things.
High Hopes for you ALL!!
Jen
In your conversations re. Students 2.0, have you found many common threads, issues and problems that transcend geography and time zones?
Are your educational systems similar or vastly different? And how do you all feel about teachers and parents?
I’d really like to know if students perceive teachers as part of the problem, part of the solution, or just plain powerless/clueless.
diane
Looking forward to a fresh perspective.
Your voice and persective are not only interesting, special and some would say unique, but it I would venture vital in countering the balance in the edublogosphere. It’s true that it is dominated my teachers but many, many are listening to you now. Good luck.
I encourage you to speak on learning.
If we were going to redesign high schools for the future (and middle schools) what would you recommend?
Peace
DK
MediaSnackers Founder
Best of luck to you all with this new adventure:-)
Can’t wait!
Thank you to those who commented, both on this post and others.
Thank you to those who bookmarked our site on del.icio.us and pushed us to the top of the front page, the popular page, and the popular/education tag.
Thank you to those who subscribed to our RSS feed. We hope we can live up to the standards you’ve come to expect from mature edubloggers.
Once again: thank you. We’ll write. You listen. Let’s effect change together.
theyour world! The mere fact that this is so alien from anything I had open to me when at school is what makes it exciting. Yes, there are high hopes for this site... yes, you will lose readers after the initial rush (possibly ;)!)... but you will also open up a new perspective that we as educators must listen to... even if the listening is uncomfortable at times...For anyone who would knock what you are attempting ( and I suspect there will be many), I would be guided by T.S.Eliot’s words at the end of The Journey of the Magi:
We your teachers are the old dispensation, but if we are wise, we are also here to help you and guide you and mentor you as you rewrite the rules. I wish you all the very best!
I must add something to your wise words Mr W. For those of you knocking what we say... please, speak up and say what you will, because opinions from both sides of the fence are taken into account, no matter how harsh the critiscism or how large the praise. We do not just ridicule negative views, as they might contribute to the type of dialog we are trying to create.
Here’s hoping your “student2.0″ concept and your work is copied and molded into other forms so that such experiences can be directly shared by other students needing such a medium.
Thanks for all the support! We never could have done it without you.
Shift happens.
I would like to hear from “special ed” students if you know of any who would like to begin some conversations from their standpoint of the education system and how we can do better by and for them with this Web 2.0 thing.
Trying to inspire a group of sixth graders this year into becoming active learners taking charge of the purpose and direction of what we do in the class has made me realize that systemic change needs to happen. I hope the rest of this school year to find creative thoughts and inspiration to share with my students.
Looking forward to hearing what you all have to say about 21c learning and living.
The work of educators in the blogosphere can provide decision makers with great ideas of what education today should look like. But, perhaps it will be the voice of students who make it real for those of us outside of the classroom.
As someone tasked with being the voice of the “public” in public education, I look forward to learning from YOU what students believe education should look like, feel like, live like.
May your voice be heard!
Do you have a format for receiving questions such as...
Have you ever seen this: A student trying to get into his Wiki account the day after opening it and he has already forgotten his password. Then, Monday after a long weekend, he has forgotten it again. Now I keep passwords in sealed envelopes in my desk drawer for when they are forgotten. Any other good ideas to facilitate remembering passwords? (I must admit I have had trouble with this myself – especially on new accounts.)