Today's Pencil

Today's Pencil

Are you looking for a place that will help you guide your students to write on the web? Perhaps you're looking for a resource that gives you writing ideas, or are you looking for a place to share your great writing ideas?  Maybe you want to find out the coolest writing-based web tools available?

If this sounds like you, you've found the right place.

This blog is a place for teachers who are looking for ways to get their students writing on the web. Here you will find a wide variety of postings. Here is a sample of what you can expect:

• Engaging and useful web tools that make writing on the web fun and easy
• Get yourself, and your class blogging
• Writing ideas
• How-To guides for creating, sharing, and archiving student writing

Why?
The inspiration for this blog came from a day spent enjoying Kathy Gilbert's talk on Common Core Writing, I heard from many teachers who were looking to get their students writing using technology.  I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Masters in Educational Technology. Using technology in the classroom is a passion of mine. I felt I could help in this area, so I created this blog.

What You Can Do
One of the easiest ways to use this blog is to read about what interests you. Then you should try out the ideas. If you are "newbie" that's great! This is the place for you. If you are a seasoned technology user, equally great! This is a place for you also.

There is little to fear. There is no pressure here. Take baby steps if you need to. Don't try to cram all of these new ideas in all at once. Try what you like best, but do try. If you can begin to incorporate even a little technology in your students' writing you are making a bigger difference than when you weren't...right?

So, breath easy. Take your time. But push yourself to try some of these tools. Then tell us about your experience by commenting on the post. Together we can make teaching with technology a lot easier.

After all, technology is a tool that is supposed to make our lives easier. The simple pencil was once new technology...what would we do with out pencils today?

Watch the short video below that explains what a blog is.

I hope you will find this blog useful to your teaching. Enjoy!



Blogs in Plain English - by Commoncraft from James Hollis on Vimeo.