My notes from the session:

Session will address issues and challenges tha lead to the creation of the writing program for urban classrooms, how the web can balance literacy and process writing instruction, and how animation and open source software tools can bring literacy to the 21st century.

Teaching Matters developed a project called “Writing the City” which is a publishing format for middle school classes. Based on process writing, the program introduces students to real world writing, gives them a place to publish, prepares teachers to teach with technology, builds communities through web-based instruction, and emphasizes collaboration and student-centered learning. Promotes “balanced literacy.” This program is in process, not rolled out to the public yet.

Poetry unit highlighted – motives and objectives covered. Website is step-by-step writing process for poetry. More units are available such as Memoirs, Short Stories, and Fairy Tales.

Anyone can use this site, very user-friendly. They figure each step takes a week, with different units having varying numbers of steps. Multimedia animated video introduction to the units/steps is informative and entertaining. Character “JT” brings boys in to be interested in poetry, they can relate to him. Students from the video have “notebooks” students can look at – these include class notes with important topics and information about the assignment and work on poems so students can see the process. Options are also available for differentiated instruction for students with those needs. Professor P’s Office area gives resources for students about the assignments. Easy to follow lessons for teachers to use are available via login in the Writer’s Room, as well as resources for students such as more videos with the characters from the intro.

Students can then post their writing in three steps – idea, draft, and final. These are posted as discussion topics on which teachers and other students can add their input, but it is not the typical commenting we think of on blogs. Posts are not at all anonymous, so there has not been issue with inappropriate use. Right now they do not have the ability to allow students to comment on others’s work safely. Work is published online at Writing the City. Teachers have their own sections and can “promote” students’ work to this main e-zine. This vehicle makes it easier to publish – at the click of a button – although still within the teacher’s control, making it public or private. Writing the City is FREE, the only real costs are the professional development pieces. They would like to pilot the program with other schools in different parts of the country.

They are finding a lack in quality of student comments on others’ writing, so that is the next challenge for the process. They are also working on at least four more units and deepen the differentiation among grades and ability levels. Want to create a comprehensive program with various resources and tutorials for teachers and students. They are figuring another year and a half of development for the program.

My comments:

Overall this looks like a great program to use in schools, and I am looking forward to seeing what my middle school teachers think of such a guided writing process allowing for online publishing.

Do you know of any other good sites for images or audio for education?