The romance of semicolons?

I am not an English major or teacher, although I do a fair amount of writing for my real job and in my doctoral studies. I must admit, I had forgotten much about the use of the semicolon, though, until I ran across this charming and whimsical article in Helium [link to full text of "The scintillating, seductive, and saving power of semi-colons"].

So why include it here in a blog for community college instructors and their use of technology? I think it is relevant from several different angles.

1. It is about a dry subject; what could be more mundane than a discussion about a tiny piece of English grammar? (Did you note my use of the semicolon there? I hope it's right!) The presentation of the subject however, is entertaining and light. Wouldn't we all like to learn more about ways to transfer these characteristics to our classrooms where we all too often find ourselves staring at bored eyes as we drone on about our own dry content? What if we each pursued a quest to find ways to make our own delivery entertaining and light? Would such an endeavor not improve the learning the ensues?
2. It is a collaborative document; the article was created as part of a creative writing workshop. Ah ... there's that "c" word again! The ramifications of integrating effective collaboration (dare I say "group work"?) into our own instruction are purported to include improved student engagement and learning. How will we know unless we try?
   
3. The article is delivered using a new and unique platform; Helium is a Web 2.0 forum for socially created knowledge based on collaborative research with a paid writing staff. While I am not familiar enough with the venue to comment on validity, I can say that it represents alternative environments to learning that can be explored and utilized. Learning DOES take place outside the classroom. In fact, probably MORE learning occurs away from the bricks and mortar of our static institutions than within their hallowed halls. So why not find ways to harness the power of alternate learning environments for our instructional use? Alternate delivery is not constrained to an asynchronous online classroom from the LMS. We just have to be prepared to recognize effective platforms when we see them.
   

All this and and new knowledge about the semicolon, too? Too cool!