The Ning

"There are two students who want to drop your composition class."
Mr. Oudman and Mrs. Van Zyl explained that various students were still changing their schedules, that it would take about a week for them to determine it. My numbers fell from 8 to 5, then back up to 6, then to five once again.
"I was told that for this class we only had to do one paper a week. That was it," one student said. "I was going to drop it, but I guess I'm staying."

As my student numbers rose and fell, I knew the first order of business would be to create the Ning. The Ning is a social networking site, much like Facebook or Myspace. I pay $12 a year for it, but so far it has been rewarding. My students are all independant study. Some of them are with me at random times in the day, and I find that if we are not on the same page soon, they will fall between the cracks. Students are in and out of my classroom. One asks for his homework just when I'm about to begin another class. Throughout the week I kept thinking, "This can't work!"

But then I created the Ning.

Homework assignment #1: Sign up for Ning.
#2 Write a short "About me" blog.
#3 Comment on eachother's work.

As soon as the school allowed the site, and as soon as the students had access to the site, a flurry of blog posts scattered their "pages". "To start with names, mine is --" one wrote. Another, "In our house we own a bird. This bird has the natural ability to call out for 5 miles in the Amazon. I could very well go crazy." And more: "...I have been impedement free for 12 years now." "Everyone loves music (unless you are a 35+ white male republican...)"

For high school students who understand the social networking lifestyle, for students who understand that there are some phrases and words you can write that you simply cannot say, for all these students, I pray the Ning unites us a little more...and sets their minds dancing with stuff to write about.

As for the rest of school, I'm enjoying all 80 or so of my students. They are energetic, they have known each other since kindergarten, and they are unique, creative, caring, and Christ-focused. May God be praised!

"Do you prefer Miss Boman, or Mizz Boman?"

Miss Boman, please. Thank you.