I’m nearing the end of my third day with the inaugural Summer Institute group, and I’ve been truly impressed.  Being a bit distant from the everyday proceedings certainly has its disadvantages, but getting to see snapshots of progress at various points of the week has been most satisfying. 

As I look back at the growth between the first day (Monday, June 9) and my second visit last Friday (June 13), I see the heart of the Writing Project model at work.  Teachers, given time, space, and resources, flourish as people and professionals.  Seeing the already cohesive social group, as well as some of the participant work (blogs, iMovies, etc) has made even more of a believer out of me.

My biggest shift in thinking from the experience thus far is my new attitude toward blogs.  Most of my experience with blogs has led me to believe they’re a bit self-indulgent.  Why would someone post what essentially amounts to a diary online for an audience that may or may not even exist?  I’ve seen the excellent use of blogs through the Project, however, as a group of professionals immersed in a common experience use them to communicate, reflect, reassure, and share joys and frustrations.  I’m happy to have one of my more negative attitudes toward a technology shifted somewhat through seeing a new application of it.