Young writers on blogosphere
ASHA P. NAIR
Vidya is overwhelmed by the comments that her little poem has been receiving from across the world. A plus-two science student of the Government Higher Secondary School, Vilavoorkal, she is one among the many who are part of an innovative literary activity encouraged by this school, using the possibility of blogs.
Why spend huge amounts in bringing out school magazines when e-world has so much in store, was the thought that spurred a new drive in this school. ``A blog that encourages the literary activity of students, may that be any kind of literary genre - poetry, short story or even academic topics - that will not exclude any student of the school; that was the idea,’’ says Udayakumar, principal of the Vilavoorkal school.
The blog, vilavoorkalghss.blogspot.com, is just two months old and is striving to be out of the cradle. But the energy it has spread among the students is visible. ``When you write in a magazine, it goes to a limited circle. But when I write in the school blog, students and elders equally, sitting in different places, are reading it and responding. It’s a good experience,’’ Vidya says.
The school’s computer lab, which has nearly 30 systems, an e-literate student community and an equally enthusiastic teaching staff made things easy.
Though the blog is now in Malayalam, very soon it will have spaces for Hindi and English blogs too. The language teachers at the school, along with five students from each high school class, have been included in the activities of the literary blog.
The unique fortune of being authors and poets at such a young age, read by an international audience, is highly encouraging for many. Many students help out with data-entry during their free periods, even if the entry is not theirs. ``An alumnus of our school had written a story ‘Kazhcha Nannayal...’ which got such rave responses that we were all inspired,’’ says Seema, a plus-two student.
However, academic schedules and examinations give very little time for blog activity, students complain. Udayakumar also agrees. ``We are yet to develop a working pattern for the blog, but once that is put in place, there will be no hindrance,’’ he says.
Though school blogs are common in Malappuram and many schools in Northern Kerala, the trend is still at its infancy in the capital district. The government school at Karippur, Nedumangad, had earlier come up with a blog carrying its entire school activities. And Vilavoorkal school is also determined to make a difference.
Himself a loyal blogger, Udayakumar says he has been approached by representatives of two other government schools nearby who are interested in the idea of starting school blogs to encourage students’ literary activities. ``When your school has the facilities, why not put them to best use,’’ the proud headmaster asks.
Vidya is overwhelmed by the comments that her little poem has been receiving from across the world. A plus-two science student of the Government Higher Secondary School, Vilavoorkal, she is one among the many who are part of an innovative literary activity encouraged by this school, using the possibility of blogs.
Why spend huge amounts in bringing out school magazines when e-world has so much in store, was the thought that spurred a new drive in this school. ``A blog that encourages the literary activity of students, may that be any kind of literary genre - poetry, short story or even academic topics - that will not exclude any student of the school; that was the idea,’’ says Udayakumar, principal of the Vilavoorkal school.
The blog, vilavoorkalghss.blogspot.com, is just two months old and is striving to be out of the cradle. But the energy it has spread among the students is visible. ``When you write in a magazine, it goes to a limited circle. But when I write in the school blog, students and elders equally, sitting in different places, are reading it and responding. It’s a good experience,’’ Vidya says.
The school’s computer lab, which has nearly 30 systems, an e-literate student community and an equally enthusiastic teaching staff made things easy.
Though the blog is now in Malayalam, very soon it will have spaces for Hindi and English blogs too. The language teachers at the school, along with five students from each high school class, have been included in the activities of the literary blog.
The unique fortune of being authors and poets at such a young age, read by an international audience, is highly encouraging for many. Many students help out with data-entry during their free periods, even if the entry is not theirs. ``An alumnus of our school had written a story ‘Kazhcha Nannayal...’ which got such rave responses that we were all inspired,’’ says Seema, a plus-two student.
However, academic schedules and examinations give very little time for blog activity, students complain. Udayakumar also agrees. ``We are yet to develop a working pattern for the blog, but once that is put in place, there will be no hindrance,’’ he says.
Though school blogs are common in Malappuram and many schools in Northern Kerala, the trend is still at its infancy in the capital district. The government school at Karippur, Nedumangad, had earlier come up with a blog carrying its entire school activities. And Vilavoorkal school is also determined to make a difference.
Himself a loyal blogger, Udayakumar says he has been approached by representatives of two other government schools nearby who are interested in the idea of starting school blogs to encourage students’ literary activities. ``When your school has the facilities, why not put them to best use,’’ the proud headmaster asks.
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