Re: Needs and Obstacles
Gwen Solomon (gwen@gsn.org)
Fri, 28 Mar 1997 12:42:00 -0800
Laurie asks,
"What can we do to cultivate a willingness among educators to
take the time to research existing successes before dashing headlong into
a project? Reinventing the wheel is becoming unacceptable but still far
too common. Can new avenues of dissemination help to address this problem?"
One thing we can do is make it easy for them. They are so busy and harried
and really try to do the best job possible. Yet we put roadblocks in the
way and criticize when they don't live up to our (sometimes unreasonable)
expectations.
How do they research exisiting successes?
Where are these successes available in an easy to reach location?
If they exist, are they written in plain English?
So, here's the commercial (you knew where I was going to do this.) My NIE
grant, The Well Connected Educator, tries to address the concerns you
raise. We publish the successes (and problems) of educators - written by
educators themselves. So others (as more teachers get connected) can find
these valuable resources easily, all in one place, and in plain English -
and adopt them, adapt them, or just understand that they too can integrate
technology into their classrooms, etc.
We began in December and have approximately 30 articles plus columns and
features. We have online writing coaches helping teachers write the
articles and an editorial board for quality control.
Teachers can also get involved in conversations like this on our online
forums and either find or enter favorite web sites for learning or
professional development, but I think I've gone far enough with the
commercial.
Check it out at http://www.gsh.org/wce
Gwen
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Gwen Solomon, Director
The Well Connected Educator
837 E. Palm Drive
Glendora, CA 91741
818-335-6836 voice
818-335-6846 fax
gwen@gsn.org
http://www.gsh.org/wce
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