People are blogging all over the world and in Ontario too!

The amount of information about blogging in the classroom is endless. The experts are varied and located in all parts of the world. The expertise is phenomenal. For the past 2 years I have watched from a distance how the technology is unfolding and in particularly in Canada. For some time the number of teachers and educators in Canada seemed to be meager. It is my neck of the woods and so I am thrilled to find committed individuals like Diane Hammond promoting the use of blogging as a way to enhance student learning at Ontario Blogs. I have watched with admiration as David Warlick, Wesley Fryer, Victoria Davis set the stage for the 21st century classroom. As a former trustee I am skeptical about any immediate adoption of blogging in main stream schools. In my previous post “I need permission” I discussed the biggest barriers to incorporating new learning strategies that include blogging, administrative support and funding. I don’t blame administrators for hesitating when it comes to technology and innovation. All too often administrative decisions are predicated on funding. But the buck needs to stop some where and in Ontario that is Queen’s Park. When students have 2 computers in the classroom and 40 minutes a week in a computer lab it is unrealistic that teachers and students become bloggers without a committed energetic teacher who embraces technology. Ontario Blogs is a strong indication of how funded projects can generate change and professional development but it takes more than one or two time funding to see every student with a computer. I have found excellent examples of blogging teachers Darren Kuropatwa, Quentin D’Souza for example and Diane Hammond and the iss07.yesican-science project So often the pioneers set the stage but they can’t do it alone. If that is to change, perhaps the following video should be required reading for all politicians.
Thanks to Matt Montagne at Middle School Ed Tech Blog for featuring this youtube video.