A few months ago I got an email from an editor at Cable in the Classroom magazine asking me for a few recommendations for “must read” educational blogs and a one-line review. I figured that these shouldn’t be the obvious ones, but the ones that I go to first in my blog reader. Well, right after Dilbert, anyway.
Here’s the final article PDF: Bookmark This! Who’s on the leading edge of ed-tech blogging? Our panel of educators shares their must-read lists.
They didn’t use every recommendation on my list, so here are my original suggestions in no particular order:
Bridging Differences Diane Ravitch and Deborah Meier This blog is a treasure. These two experts disagree about much in education. But they have a cogent, civilized conversation about it in their posts. It’s what every conversation online or off should aspire to.
Blue Skunk Blog Doug Johnson - funny and real, authentic librarian/technologist voice from the trenches
Artichoke - A deep, deep thinker
Dangerously Irrelevant Scott McLeod - straddles academia, K-12 technology and leadership
Dy/dan Dan Meyer - A math teacher who walks the talk
Learning is Messy Brian Crosby - reat stories that illustrate the ups and downs of the classroom.
Practical Theory Chris Lehmann - Principal of the Science Leadership Academy, Chris grounds his innovative leadership and ed tech ideas in a deep understanding of pedagogy, progressive teaching, and ethics.
The Fischbowl Karl Fisch - This blog is both the staff development blog for a Colorado high school team of teachers and tech coordinators, but also a great source of information
Tuttle SVC Tom Hoffman - Sharp, biting commentary about the history and politics of progressive education, ed tech and open source software use in schools.
Classroom 2.0 - Actually, this is a Ning social network, but contains blogs, and has many teachers new to ed tech blogging, chatting, and discussing.
Stager-to-Go Gary Stager - opinionated, outspoken advocate for children and authentic technology use. Says things that need to be said, but are typically only whispered to your closest friends.
ASCD Newsblast - a thoughtful selection and commentary on education headlines.
Eduwonkette - Really good analysis of education policy and statistics (Unfortunately she stopped blogging in January 2009)
Advancing the Teaching Profession Barnett Barry - Focus on what teacher quality really means and how to get there.
List of all articles available online from the Cable-in-the-Classroom May 2009 issue.
I love all these blogs for very different reasons. Some because of the quality of writing and thought, some for the adventure of never knowing what they will say, some because their voices pierce through the glut of information found online. All of them make me happy that blogs exist and optimistic about the future of online collaboration and communication.
Sylvia
