Yes…you’re doing the right things….as far as finding those focused on counseling, I’m not sure I know anything off hand but I’m sure they’re out there….searching Technorati and or even edublogs.org might turn up something.

But also don’t simply limit yourself to one niche area. I’m finding that having lots of connections to folks in different situations and perspectives keeps me from falling into the echo chamber. I look for dissenting voices and also ones from non school environments. I’m finding I can learn from anyone.

We’re having parallel thoughts right now. Incredible conversation on this thread, and I don’t usually do this, but will here, because I wrestled with this “Teachers as Blog-Vampires” (blogging as another way to turn in homework) for about a week of posts starting here.

I think this is one of the most essential conversations to be had. And I think we need to encourage multimedia creativity in order to open blogging to non-verbal types intimidated by writing. Working on a “Digital Arts Menu for Multiple Intelligences” toward that end for my own staff dev workshop next week. Others are contributing from the sphere, and welcome more of the same.

Dean, I’m so far removed, here in Seoul, that it’s taken me this long to find your blog (though I’ve seen your name more times than I can count, all over the place). Nice to find you. Time to start reading

I’ve written about it often
http://ideasandthoughts.org/2007/07/25/timeline-of-learning-and-connecting/
http://ideasandthoughts.org/2007/04/19/whos-on-your-research-team/

Others have written as well.

http://weblogg-ed.com/2006/blogs-for-professional-development/

The trick is to become vulnerable. To share your experiences and ideas and spend more time reading and commenting than writing. There is a great community of educators who are sharing freely some great stuff. You can’t buy this type of PD.

My guess is most have only dipped their toe in the waters of the web or only stayed in the shallow end…Web 2.0 and embracing virtual learning communities takes us out of our comfort zones. Most teachers are observers from the sideline and aren’t sure how to get in. Telling them the water’s fine just isn’t enough for most, they need someone to take them by the hand and stay with them for a while.

I to have rarely seen teacher blogs evolve to much more than an ornate list of homework posts and assignments. This is not a bad thing, but the power of the read/write web extends far beyond that. As you say the power lies in the discussion and the writing process but so many are reluctant to do more than read things. I am talking about teachers now, not necessarily students, partly because in my role as administrator that is the group I work with on professional development but mostly because I see it as our job to teach students to have their own voice. How do we teach students to find their own voice if we are reluctant ourselves to share. There is something very different about sharing your trials and tribulations in the faculty room and posting those same trials and tribulations for everyone to see.

The shift, then has to be in the idea of that safe, learning community. Be it a blog or a wiki or some other social network the idea is to contribute as much as you can and once you start, it is very difficult to stop.

My school wide wiki has gotten off to a slow start. My staff is visiting the site and I know people are reading what I post, but few actually post or comment. Why is this? I have’t quite figured it out yet.