Exposing What Is True

This chapter is absolutely rich with information, but I want to comment on just two things.

First, I think Warlick makes a good point about getting to know students' parents by inviting the "village" in. Obviously, parent contact is always important, but I think Classroom 2.0 innovations allow for more authentic connections with parents. Instead of simply notifying parents of grades and behaviors or school events, this is a chance to truly get parents involved in their child's learning on a much deeper level. Of course, it also raises some logistical concerns about the digital divide and how schools will work to ensure that all families have access to equipment and skills -- definitely a 21st century challenge.

I totally agree with Warlick's investigative strategies, and I think he provides many useful tips about teaching the process of research. However, I also think we need to be wary of overdoing things like the "search log" component. Having assigned similar tasks to students, I have found that it takes a fine balance of getting students to be thorough and effective researchers (I like the idea of making students defend their sources as part of the process) without making the research process the most laborious and gruelling exercise in detail they have ever done.