Cory, I am wondering about making your students create blogs. I don't know, I am just asking, but do you need any kind of parental permission or anything to do that? I ask because I can see a non-school/class connected person commenting inappropriately on their blog and parents getting upset.

To be honest, Christopher, I'm probably out on a limb on this one. I don't have explicit permission from parents, though we have a general form for web access consent. This particular group is an Advanced Placement English class (juniors), and I've had some pretty straight-forward talks with them. I do monitor their posts via RSS (Google Reader), which is also how I do the "assessment" part. I don't, but could, have the comments feed for each blog.

For my freshmen, I don't feel so confident about giving them their own blogs. I have a class blog and I plan on signing them each up as "contributors". There is a way to do this using your own gmail account, giving them each their own login and password, but then every post comes through your email for moderation. It sounds a little labor-intensive for 70 kids, but I like the control/safety valve. I haven't done this, yet, but hope to soon.

Otherwise, I am fortunate to have a pretty supportive administration when it comes to trying out these tools in class. So far, so good...

Thanks for welcoming me to Classroom 2.0.

Cory,

The form that a coaching program takes depends on the district and the building. I'm not sure how the coaching program is set up in Wisconsin, but here in the Seattle area, we have several different models. I work in a private school where my whole job is coaching. One school district here (Edmonds) has committed to having a coach at every grade level in every building. Other districts here are doing a coach or two per building. Many programs budget for release time for the coaches and collaborating teachers to work together, some have teachers who are part-time coaches and their schedules are adjusted to give them the time they need.

I've been a coach for 6 years and I've been instructing coaches for the last 4 both here in Western Washington and in Korea and India through the Microsoft Innovative Teacher Program. (Not a plug for MS!) Coaching is the best professional development you can do, especially for people who are new to technology in education. People tend to be more willing to take a leap and try something new if they've got someone there "hand-holding."

If you want to know more, please let me know!

Hi Corey!
Thanks for the invitation, great to hear from you. Yes I was at NECC this year and will be next year as well, too bad you could not make it but hopefully I will see you in San Antonio. I will look you up on twitter and add you to my following, isn't it great how all of these things connect us? Will send an email as a way to catch up.

Our principal mentioned it at a parent meeting and they were so excited, they forced her to set a date on the spot. Soooo, November 12th is it. We will see how it goes and I promise to keep you posted.

Hey Cory-

Nice to "meet" a fellow Milwaukeean!!...I'm curious to talk to you more about some of the creative ways that you are using these tools with your English students.

Cheers and thanks for the note!

~Matt

Did I thank you for your kind comments? My principal accessed my presentation on iTunes. He was surprised to 'pull up' one of his teachers on iTunes and now calls me a global presenter. The more the wool is pulled over his eyes, the better for job security!!