| .................................(Background Readings)........................................... | |
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Traditionally, student art, poetry, essays, and even good test papers have hung on the classroom display board as examples for other students in the rooms. The halls outside the classrooms have been transformed into long bulletin boards to display work for viewing by anyone walking down the hall. The school office has been utilized as a vehicle to display work for guests of the schools. District offices and school board meetings also play a role as a place where student work is displayed. Teachers are able to "raise the bar" for students by selecting outstanding work for display in any of these venues. Some students are sufficiently motivated to polish and revise to achieve a higher quality of product with only a promise of display space.
The Internet is fast becoming the "big bulletin board in the sky" for schools. Teachers are finding that even greater efforts can be solicited from students when the display space has the potential to be seen by 'millions' immediately after the work is complete. Further, comments can be received about the work from the outside world. Digital cameras and scanners capture images of artistic work. Audio and video equipment captures multimedia projects and is easily downloaded to a viewer's computer. Interviews of athletes, scholars, civic-minded students are routinely captured and displayed on the school web site or the personal web site of a faculty member.
Traditionally, student writing is sent home for review by the parents. Electronic publication has the potential of sending that same article into Mom's and Dad's workplace. Around the water cooler or break room, proud parents slip out a photograph of their child's athletic achievements. Now they can point to an essay produced by junior just as easily. (There are more good essays than winning home runs!) Further, the school publication can be targeted to specific groups. Notification of updates can be emailed to specific audience members. The length of the cycle of writing to publishing offers educators a great opportunity.
There is a difference between writing and being an author. Students are more motivated to write well if they anticipate there will be an audience. This means thinking about the reader when writing. Good teachers of the writing process have stressed revision, but find it difficult to get the motivation high enough to see the second and third revision ever take place.
Schools are publishing electronic newspapers that contain school information and often contain articles written by students. Again the motivation to be "published" drives students to produce quality work. Educators are just beginning to tap into the potential value of using the Internet for instructional purposes. The Internet offers an excellent media to extend the work of the school into the homes, businesses, and community.
All is not roses. Schools will need to establish policy on publishing student work on the Internet. Issues of copyright, privacy, and potential liability need to be addressed. Most concerns will reduce to only a few students, but planning and thought can prevent problems.