Welcome to 052!

At the start of a new term, it's good to reflect...ah yes, it's good to reflect any time, true. But anyway, let's look back.

First, take a look at the best LOGO and best weblog winners. Look at the dazzling variety of interesting material in the classes which will be represented on the web version of CESL Today as well as the print version, which you should have seen already. This is what's good about 051.

I'd like to see more pictures, pictures that we could pick up and use throughout our pages. I'd like to see community contributions clearly distinguished from online portfolios; put the academic work in the portfolios. I'd like to see weblogs used for the wide variety of purposes they could be used for; there really are many. The big three are: Personal journals, Community builders, Academic portfolios. So far we've mostly used #2 and #3. Personal expression is big too. It would be nice if
everyone felt comfortable presenting themselves in the new media.

One other thing. I've become a regular blogger- seeking things to write about, feeling personally accountable to my audience, presenting myself (in separate blogs) both professionally and creatively, and I've noticed that it has really changed me in a positive way. As I do research on the phenomenon I've found comments that have resonated: about how a weblogger becomes more disciplined, self-aware, and self-confident. I'll share some of these comments as I find them, but what is remarkable to me is that days after I read them, I find them sticking with me, as I've become more aware of what I'm thinking as I write.

Spring comes...things are popping...the Salukis didn't make it this year, but they gave us a good run.

GO SALUKIS!