One of those “Yes” Ideas from Will Richardson

It’s 5:31 AM (CST) and I’ve been working for the last hour-and-a-half preparing for today’s workshop here in Downers Grove. During a minute taken to read a bit, I ran across one of those blog posts that sort of stops you in your tracks and makes you say, “Yes!”

It should be no surprise that the post was by Will Richardson at Weblogg-Ed. Responding to a story at New Jersey.com about a school grappling with student web publications, Richardson makes three recommendations about schooling in the new information environment. I will paraphrase, so do get it the whole story from Will’s weblog.

  • Schools need to start blogging and inviting the community into conversations about what’s going on.
  • We need to in-service teachers, hold courses and community nights for parents, and teach every student the acceptable uses of these new technologies.
  • Stop blocking and start teaching.

My two cents worth is that when schools are seen by students as a place that blocks their access to information and gags their voices, then those school stop being relevant to them.

Nicely done, Will.

One thought on “One of those “Yes” Ideas from Will Richardson”

  1. Dave,

    I’d have to agree with Will. I serve a number of schools that refuse to allow students to blog or make use of blogs. Oddly enough, those schools are also the ones where parents and community members complain about student performance, attitudes, and behavior. I wonder if there is a correlation? Hmmm.

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