I have been in so many new and different learning environments over the past 5 years and I have to say that it is an incredible journey. I still can remember the day I was introduced to blogs back in January of 2002. I remember thinking hmmm, this has possiblilities. I wonder how I could use these to get kids involved more in writing. Little did I know then how life-changing this journey would be.
I am currently working every moment we can schedule with Ewa McGrail, the professor here at Georgia State University on all the research data we compiled from the project last year. It is incredible the amount of data we have. We have submitted one article already, have lots more to work on. We are currently working on a book chapter. It takes a tremendous amount of time and heavy thinking as we analyze the data, continue transcribing and searching through the materials, the interviews, the podcasts, and many other records. Writing is grueling because you want to be so thorough and get the words right to capture the moments and truly portray what happened. Again I am learning so much and just processing all that is quite a lot. Sometimes I have to just step back, catch my breath, and say yes we can get this right. Ewa is teaching me a lot and great to work with as we try to schedule as many moments together as we can. That’s the other part – getting our schedules to work together when we both already have lots else going on at the same time. We both have it as a high priority and would love to be able to have this part full time but that’s not the real world, right? I still struggle with just what is OK to blog about and what is not. Anyway I just wanted to let you know why I am so “absent” from blogging lately. I am thankful I could be a part of something like this. We need more research in this area. As I cull through other research I am amazed at what I am finding that somehow escaped me before. As I said the learning part is absolutely awesome. I will get back to my normal blogging in time but right now it’s just too much.
I’ll be patient. Or try to be while you work on your research. But I do miss your voice in the ‘sphere and I am very much looking forward to the conclusions you are drawing.
Hi Anne,
I believe we have met online over a year ago when I had a blog for my fourth graders in Harlem, “Room 313″ ring a bell? And I gave some feedback to some kids’ blogs from a high school you were working with at the time.
Anyway, I was wondering what your research topic is, and how it is coming, and where I might read what you have already published.
Peace,
Hi Derek,
Yes “Room 313″ rings a bell! Nice to hear from you! Our research project explores what happens when 5th graders blog and converse about literacies in class and beyond. Nothing has been published yet. We have submitted two items- one is an article and one is a book chapter and we are busy working on others. I will post on my blog as soon as publishing occurs. This research is a very time-consuming but such a worthwhile project. Thanks for your interest! Are you still blogging with students?
Best,
Anne
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