What to do when your district says NO to Web 2.0?
Create a
BRRRRRR BLOG
Because Rockford Public Schools District #205 restricts most aspects of Web 2.0, we had to provide a way to help our students understand a small piece of social networking.
We chose a moderated blog.
Books =Reviews, Reflections, Responses & Reactions, Rebuttals, Recommendations.
This blog is our district’s first foray into web 2.0 thinking. It provided a technological venue for our elementary students to increase their appreciation of books and reading as well as improve their writing skills. Each elementary building received at least one new student computer. Students in six pilot schools received three computers. Students in the six pilot schools were introduced by the library paraprofessional to the BRRRRRR Blog during their weekly library time, although all schools could participate if they so chose. It wasn’t long before students were reading and posting their reviews on the BRRRRRR Blog.
To satisfy our district’s restrictions, students submitted their comments to the certified librarian in charge of that student’s school. (Our certifed librarians are responsible for nine elementary schools) These submissions were then sent on to the Project Director who posted them to the website. Although the decision was made to accept a student’s submission as it was received, at each level, students work was checked for errors that could mislead other students. For example, an author’s name and title of the book must be spelled correctly. Minor spelling or grammatical errors were corrected but student wording was left whole. You will see many AWESOME capitalizations, “you know” phrases, “trust me, you’ll like it” with some “wow’s” thrown in for good measure.
Although we started small, we expect it to grow because teachers soon discovered it provided a venue for the students’ writing practice. We have fifth graders who asked if they would be able to post next year after they move on to middle school. Our answer to them is a resounding YES – It’s already in the planning stage.
Check us out at http://webs.rps205.com/departments/lms/brrrrrrblogbooklist.html
