Yes, I love technology...always and forever.

So I integrated the Web 2.0 tool I learned about last semester into the English class I am teaching, and it went...SUPERB!! I am teaching a poetry unit right now and students have been writing and working with imagery the past week. I wanted to see how students would respond to photography, or the image, as inspiration instead of always just working from their imagination. The opportunity for me to use piclits could not have been more perfect, so I booked the lab and the lesson went on its way.

I created an account for students to log into, and they saved their creations to this account. I wrote out detailed directions and expectations for students since I was not able to project my computer screen for my students to see. I asked students to choose an image that inspired them or that they connected with. Then they either used the drag 'n' drop or the freestyle option to create their own poem. After they were finished I asked students to save their piclit and then make a quality comment on one of their classmate's poems, in which they pick out something connected with, a poetic device, or strong words.

I was blown away by my students' creations. Like, seriously, after reading most of them my jaw dropped, my eyes filled with tears, or I laughed uncontrollably. My students really got to the nature of poetry in that it "gets to feelings fast". I had so much fun "grading" my students' work. I love being a teacher.

Piclits helped some of my less engaged students express themselves. I allowed some of my students not to initial their creations and to remain anonymous as long as they showed me which one was their's. The power of poetry came through in these students' poems about real life and humanity. I am still struck by the way they manipulated the English language in order to affect their reader. Students also responded well to one another's poems. I have a feeling many of my students left the room feeling empowered.

One of the best experiences so far in my teaching career: I called a student to express how impressed I was with his writing and gift for literary expression. Next day he wrote in his journal: "I am grateful for my new gift in poetry that I didn't know I had." Makes me weep right now...I'm out.