Response to Ferriter's article, "Learning with Blogs and Wikis"

Bill Ferriter speaks on the importance of professional development that provides teachers with innovative, contemporary instructional strategies that are immediately applicable within the classroom.  I couldn't agree more, and ppropriately, his article, "Learning with Blogs and Wikis " does just this.  Instead of spouting off a bunch of theory, Ferriter wastes no time in providing his readers with step by step instructions as to how to use feed readers.  After following Ferriter's direct steps, I was set up on pageflakes.com.  It will take me awhile to get used to the site and to decide exactly how I want to focus my time spent there, but I appreciate the tip.  Like Ferriter, I love growing as an educator and find that taking professional development into my own hands is the best way to do so.  I'm not one to reinvent the wheel, and am excited to gather ideas from fellow teachers.

Now, Ferriter also spends some time talking about the importance of integrating blogs and wikis into classroom curriculum.  I'm no longer a regular classroom teacher, but I do run a sixth grade study skills class and an 8th grade college prep course.  I also run several academic after-school and during-lunch programs.  I have always been intrigued by the idea of using blogs or wikis within the classroom, and am wondering if I may be able to do so this year.  I love accountable talk, and wikis would provide students with the opportunity to both build on the ideas of others and present themselves as experts.  

I thought creating a classroom blog would be difficult, but I'm writing on one through blogger right now, and it seems pretty easy.  Our students are devoted to social networking, so the concept of blogging could be very motivational.  However, creating a blog on study skills sounds incredibly dull.  Maybe we could create several blogs or wikis to go along with various literature circles.  Students could read at home and then present questions or comments to the other members of their circle.

In short, thank you Mr. Ferriter for giving me some great tips that I can fit into my busy schedule.  I have a new goal and a better idea as to how to reach it.