Blessed Hope Academy Wiki Pages for Writers

1. Blessed Hope AcademyWiki Pages for Writers Using technology to open the world

2. Description of Blessed Hope Academy • Blessed Hope is a new private Christian school opening in the Rogue Valley. We opened with one student and our philosophy is that every child can learn given the tools, time, and direction needed. With this in mind, students study academics in the morning and when their daily work is accomplished, work on individual projects in the afternoon.

3. Blessed Hope Wiki • Purpose: • To record student writing and get feedback from people other than teacher • To create an audience for student writing • To record student progress in many areas

4. The Student • 16 year old male, functioning at 2nd/3rd grade level • Diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth and in special education entire academic career • Received reading instruction in 1st grade only, removed from regular curriculum when behavior became to disruptive for classroom. No behavior remediation attempted. Behavior not indicative of home behavior. • Introduced as life skills student in 6th grade • Accountable to homework and academic skills just last year, made significant progress. • Control issues as he tries to own his life. Does not like being in formal school setting. • Used to doing the same pages every year and getting out of work by being belligerent. • Began to set personal goals end of last year. • Came up with idea to go to Disney World just after this class started. • Wants to be independent, but not the • responsibility that goes along with it. • Signs of Asperger’s syndrome

5. This writing project was to open doors to our student(s) and allow interactions between the writer and interested parties; expecting better writing because there was a more extensive audience. • Though some doors opened, they were not the ones expected and several slammed close. But, I believe this is student specific and will keep this project going as the school enrolls more students. • The concept is good. The format is easy to use. The student must just be willing to • follow through.

6. Wiki Page • Reality- -Page created -Student fascinated with the idea, but reluctant to type -Student enjoyed the few responses that were received, but was hesitant to respond. -First writing experience, responding to others.

7. Challenges • Refusal to type • Fascination with technology to the detriment of the project. • “You do it!” • “I don’t have to!” • Difficulty doing what is requested, will do only what he considers necessary.

8. Possible reasons for challenges: • Prior experience with technology that held no accountability • “I don’t talk to strangers” • Fear of success • “I don’t have to” • Lack of exposure to the real world • Prior training • Leaning on the disability

9. Experience and Musings: • My experience with educationally challenged youth has taught me that refusals often come just before a major break through. I am still not certain if it is trying to overcome negative tapes that tell the student they cannot do what is being asked or if it is concern that more will be asked as a result of what is being accomplished. For most, they are very cognizant of the change in responsibility and are not sure how to get back to being not responsible. • For this student, it appears to have been a more intense reaction than I have seen before, but his progress has also been significant in a very short time. • As this project ends, he is coming around and we are beginning to pick up academic speed, again. While the wiki experience did not cause the reaction, but it seems to have fueled it. Computers had been a realm that kept him occupied with no accountability and no interference. • It will be interesting to see if other students encounter the same challenges and to what degree. But, even if the experience initiates authority challenges and ownership to the extent of learning the skills to work cooperatively, these must come for these students to navigate life without constant supervision. I just pray I am up to the challenge each time it pops up.

10. Change of plans Created second page to record project progress: Disney or Bust! Still reluctant to write, but likes the record. Documented money making projects: Scarecrow contest and Collecting cans Documented bank balance. Considering another flyer and writing to more companies to help out. Wants to add thermometer to see money grow, but not willing to learn. “You do it.” Opening avenues not considered before. Noticing travel posters and asking where in the world they are. Wants to go to Europe after Disney World.

11. Future Possibilities • Create a student “newspaper.” • As the school grows, add student responses to submissions. • Have guest writers add examples for students to critique and edit. • Create pen pals with other schools.

12. Wikis and School Writing • This project, even with its challenges, demonstrated wikis offer a writing venue that is accessible to students of all capabilities and holds the potential for opening eyes to the world that have previously been closed.

13. Thank you! • To all my colleagues who responded to my student’s writing, I wish to express my greatest appreciation. For this student, you opened doors he must walk through to be successful. You made him question rules he has lived by and allowed him to begin dreaming bigger dreams. You helped him open his eyes to a larger world and have challenged him to learn how it works. You have given him the courage to question authority and seek his best interest as he • takes on the role of young adult.