Kidwriters Writing Studio
The virtual community that I visited was the Kidwriters Writing Studio
(www.kidlink.org/KIDPRO/Kidwriters). The Kidwriters Writing Studio is one
of the projects in KIDPROJ which is part of the KIDPRO organization. This year round project
has several components: 1) an e-mail list where students contribute stories and exchange mail
about writing; 2) a web site where students post their projects, stories and artwork and 3) a chat
area where students work on stories on-line and are able to meet the authors. It is a free project for
students and teachers to use. There are different kinds of writings to participate in: Poetry Corner,
Stories Where I Live, Reflections, Mysteries, Tales, Legends, and Science Fiction Corner,
Holidays Throughout the Year, Animal Tales & Kidlink Theater, Newsroom, and a Picture Story
Corner. On-line help is also available to students.
The project encourages planning (personal & general), goal setting (career plans for the future),
treating each other with respect , and the ability to look at both sides of a topic. Through
meaningful activities students are able to raise meaningful issues that are important around
the world. These values are reflected through questions that students need to answer when joining
the project and when participating in different kinds of writing projects. The questions are: Who
am I?, What do I want to be when I grow up ( In terms of work, education, and in general)?, How
do I want the world to be a better when I grow up (how you would like to improve the way we
treat each other and the environment we share)?, and What can I do now to make this happen
(What steps can you take now to realize your personal goals and your vision of the world)?
This project encourages insight and reflection on global issues.
As students submit their writings, they support and help each other through e-mail and chat
rooms. Students are able to collaborate with each other. They also participate in fun, new and
exciting writing programs. There is also a KIDPROJ Coordinating list where important
discussionshappen that can help facilitate the students. All adults are strongly advised to join this
mailing list to communicate about KIDPRO projects that are either currently underway or in the
planning stages. Everyone is encouraged to participate through the different components of
Kidwriters. Before any student can join, he/she must answer the four questions mentioned above.
This project is available to kids only up to age 15 and is to participate in their many online writing
activities and other projects for students and teachers.
Last year, I decided that I would create a web page for my classroom formy 1998-99 students. I
knew that T3 would help me in learning the basics of making a web page and I was looking
forward to making this "dream" come true. However, after visiting this site, I realized that making
a web page is fine, but it wouldnUt allow any student interaction. Kidwriters would be exciting for
students to participate in and it also encourages creativity. Everyone in this community
collaborates and learns to problem-solve together about issues that concerns everyone. Through
sharing and meaningful discussions, students and teachers can reflect and appreciate different
cultures and different views from everyone. Open-mindedness is instilled in all who participate.
Kidwriters and the other projects part of KIDPROJ (www.kidlink.org/KIDPROJ/projects.html)
are exactly the kind of virtual communities that I would want for my students to be a part of. I
contacted John Ost the moderator of Kidwriters to find out more about Kidwriters and to see if
my students and I can truly take part in it. I havenUt hear from him yet but, I anxiously wait for
his reply.
Catalina Saludares
Makaha Elementary, Leeward
csaludar@makani.k12.hi.us