Mark: Web 2.0 just continues to amaze us all, doesn’t it?! That is so great. I am pleased that the students caught on to the excitement and even the student’s mother was able to hear that. Wow. I was just sitting here wondering if I had over-emphasized the points about student motivation, but your comments affirm me and say that this really is a big deal. I suppose one day down the road (maybe in the not too distant future) it could be less of a big of a deal for people in another state to read and comment on a student’s work. I am not sure. But I suspect as writers, it is just a “human thing” that we are more motivated to write when the audience is authentic. I think there is practically zero research on this currently when it relates specifically to blogging, but the idea of kids writing better when the audience and purpose are well defined and they care about them is documented. In the case of classroom blogging, the good news is that to convince teachers to move in this direction we don’t really need scientifically designed experiments. Anecdotal stories like these can be powerful in changing perceptions and therefore behavior I think.

Thanks so much for the follow-up! If you know any College of Education faculty at the University of Washington there in Seattle, please let them know about the application I have submitted there! We are definitely moving to “new digs” in the summer for the start of the fall, and Seattle is my top choice!

Do you all have recess at Arbor Heights Elementary, btw? My son is in 2nd grade and our current school stops having recess after 2nd grade, part of the mentality that we don’t have time for “play” with all the “important” test prep they have to do, I think. This may not seem like a big deal but one thing among many that we are going to school-hunt for wherever we move is an elementary school that still has recess in middle and upper grades.

One more thing. The mom of the girl whose writing you featured happened to be in the classroom today, helping out, and she heard your presentation. That was one proud and amazed mom – wow!

Ok, just one more thing. I agree with David about your reaching out effectively on an emotional level to grab people – I may just have my colleagues sit down and give a listen to your presentation – great job! Thanks again – Mark

I read an article the other day about leadership, and the leverage points that leaders use to affect change. The article brought in a number of studies about people who have had by-pass surgury and the amazingly high percentage of them who revert back to the same lifestyles that gave them unhealthy hearts. Conclusion? The fear of death was not a strong enough leaverage point to change their habits.

The article went on to say that perhaps the most important and least utilized strategy to affect change is emotion. If you can reach people on an emotional level, then you can change them. Wesley, you’ve got it with spades. Very well done, my friend.

– dave –

Wish I could be there soaking in all the exciting new ideas with you folks – but then I’d miss the incredible journey my kids are on. Ah well. Have a great conference, and thanks for the teriffic mention. – Mark