“O brave new world,
That has such people in it!”
So says Miranda, alone on the island, save for her ageing father and two otherworldly creatures, both his slaves. Her sentiments are echoed by many of us getting to grips with the technology-rich world with its blogs and social networking sites and heaven knows what else!
It’s a bit of a steep learning curve at times but then one could say that of anything worth doing. Take this blog for example. When Barbara first suggested the idea, I had little notion of what a blog actually was let alone how to write one. Now it’s second nature.
Here in the UK, blogging is still to become mainstream and that means that its conventions and routines are yet to be widely understood. So, in the spirit of sharing and maybe even sparking a few new bloggers into production, this posting is all about the interactive element of blogging.
Each new posting by the writer or writers of a blog has a title that, when clicked, reveals a comment form (see below).
The comment form is positioned at the end of the posting (also shown below).
Simply complete the form to contact the writer via the fantastic systems of WordPress (or whatever other ‘host’ company the writer uses). For example, if you wanted further information or resources just use the comment option and I’ll do my best to provide them speedily.
There is another way to reach this form by looking at the end of the posting. There you’ll see a list of categories that the posting is filed under. The last of these says “x Comments” (where x is a number). Click on that and you’ll also reach the comment form (shown below).
Like many writers I enjoy getting feedback. In fact, the immediate and social side of blogging is one of the main reasons I selected this form of communicating ideas. Sometimes exceptionally kind friends say “Have you ever thought of writing a book?” Flattering though that is I resist precisely because of the potential for immediate feedback in this form of writing. Maybe I share that trait with many of my learners: they can’t wait for praise, certificates, stickers and I feel similarly impatient for comments on a posting. Too needy? Possibly. It’s also that, when I set to writing this blog, I had a notion that it could be ‘forum-like’: that through dialogue we could move things on a pace. That’s ASTs for you – always impatient to share.
Just as Miranda’s gasp set in motion engines that revealed a new and better world, isn’t it about time we talked?
Hello and apologies for passing on the word about your wonderful ‘website’ / blog on the TES forums (hels08)…it was a welcome stumble in my web trawl for Duffy/Armitage resources. If you have any going spare, they would be much much appreciated
I’m wading through the set poems for higher tier right now.
And if you haven’t already signed up, make sure you apply to be a contributor on the Teachit website (there’s my plug!). I’m sure you’re ahead of me and already contribute, but on the off-chance you don’t I thought I’d mention it.
Hey Helen,
I am very glad you passed on my details – the more the merrier I say. I shall probably post a few more soon (and maybe some on The English Space too).
Erm, I am ashamed to admit it but i don’t know anything about Teachit really – I’ve heard folks discussing it and I’ve had a bit of a browse but maybe I should spend a little more time there. As for being a contributer, how do I do that then? so much to learn, so little time…
A
Hi Andrew
Thanks for the big plug on your blog site. Much appreciated. Sadly I am not seeing much take-up yet. I did talk to PGCE students last month at the University of Sheffield and one joined up.
Pip pip!
Adrian
Sorry it took a while to get back to you. Drop teachit a line via the link on: http://www.teachit.co.uk/index.asp?CurrMenu=75. You are making great resources and they’ll be instantly accessible once you pass the application process. All further resources for lit poetry welcome in the meantime!
Thanks for the vote of confidence Helen: it is much appreciated. I have indeed contacted the site for more details.
Hi there. Thanks again for Monday. Here are three of the things that were good for me:
First, watching you teach through relationship with the pupils. There was no ‘delivering’ going on.
Second, you can make them laugh while you chat and challenge them. e.g. Becky and the dolphins – and the boy who said ” I think my brain doesn’t function when I’m cold either, sir”.
Third , watching you subtly and continuously taking each pupil one step further – with each interaction – whether it was in their understanding of a teaching point or a something about their attitude or perspective – e.g. your response to the comment one pupil made to your mother’s picture “the years have taken their toll” – encouraging him in a split second to have a more positive take on it. It would have been really easy just to accept that because of the learning point and how this boy had been at the start of the class.
How’s that?
thanks again, and till next time.
I’m taking the title of this post literally, and using this as an excuse to ‘get in touch.’ I just discovered your blog and love the posts, especially the posts about teaching writing and poetry. I teach poetry to teen moms who have dropped out of high school here in the USA. I’ve added you to my blogroll so my readers and I will be reminded to return to your site often! Thank you
Hello ‘dontcallipoetry’
I am pleased you like the blog and it’s always great to get a bit of feedback. Oh, and thank you for adding me to your blogroll. Yes, there are more ideas on their way – in fact, and here’s a blog exclusive, I have taken the step of setting aside a day’s writing time next year so that I can write a little more regularly than I have done these last few months.
Andrew
Thought you might like our countdown to the holidays calendar – http://www.holidaycalendar.tk
Hi, Andrew – enjoyed working with you recently on the Barnsley LEA scherme of learning project. Wondered if you could get in touch re some INSET at my school – please get in touch on email address above.
Hi Andrew,
Just saw your recent post on interactive whiteboard software and thought this might be of interest.
http://www.prometheanworld.com/server.php?show=nav.16874
Thanks for the comment Jo. I have downloaded the ActivInspire software in the hope that it might make using a Promethean board just that little bit more ‘user friendly’. Watch the blog for a review later.
This is a superb website, Andrew. I shall be promoting it on mine and to the English teachers who work in Trafford. It has lots of useful material. For example, the prepositional poem and the invisible differentiation approach. It also look good and makes me wonder about transferring to WordPress.
Congratulations.
You’re very kind Francis, thanks. I did do a bit of blogging trial and error type research before settling on WordPress: it seems to me to be the easiest and to offer the greatest range of possibilities. The folk that run it are great too and constantly improving the service.