Times are changing. Quickly. We need to teach all our students - all of them - as much as we can about learning and growing and sharing themselves and their work. This way, they have a better chance to learn, grow, and make wise choices.
If you haven't seen enough of these videos, here's more:
In recent years, opportunities for students to collaborate, write and do other work for an authentic audience online have grown tremendously. There is also so much more to write about; or at least it feels that way since we can access so much more to write about. One of our favorite projects involved 4th and 5th grade students using etherpad (try this) to collaborate as they created this Student Grant. Here's an incredible example using high school essays. It's hard to discuss the idea of audience and purpose without including projects like this one. After just a quick search, you can find so many places for students to collaborate and benefit from an audience for their work. It seems that no matter what your content is, there are folks who have already started a great project! Many of you have heard of the flat classroom projects. In just a couple of hours here at ISTE we have already found many interactive projects that classrooms are working on. It is not difficult to jump in and be included in national or international projects that are already in progress. Finding great projects to become involved with is not very challenging. We've already heard about tons of great ideas here at ISTE.
And now it is your turn. By now you've hopefully figured out that we use Delicious as a search engine. Here's a link that's been set up for you to see links to blogs written by authors. What a great way to connect your students with an authentic audience! It doesn't always have to be writing though. Here's a place to find people who want to Skype with you! Please take some time to share your own resources for students to connect by commenting on the home page.
Just in case you haven't gotten enough yet, we'd like to share just a few more links...
It would be nearly impossible for us to share a resource that Larry Ferlazzo hasn't already shared on his blog. We love his "Best of Lists..." We also wanted to point out his post on writing for an authentic Audience and Purpose, and it's also worth checking out this other Audience and Purpose post of his.
And now with all this information, consider this your official invitation into the rabbit hole. Enjoy!
