Classroom BlogsKimberly Sharp

MEDT 8461University of West Georgia

What is a Blog?

• Short for “weblog.”• A blog is a hierarchy of text, images, media

objects and data, arranged chronologically, that can be viewed in an HTML browser. (Harvard, 2003)

• An online diary or journal.

How are Blogs Used?

• News & Entertainment: Today Show• Personal Journals: Kathy’s Kids• Vacation Diaries: Amanda in Costa Rica• Instructional tools: Storybook Creator Plus

Book Lists• Classroom Activities: Leah Doughman• Media Center Activities: Gwin Oaks• Sharing about an illness: Grace Callahan

Free Blogging Sites

• Word Press• Blogger• Shutterfly• CarePages• CaringBridge

What Can I Include in my Blog?

• Text– Homework and Projects– Class Announcements– Newsletters– Field Trip Information

• Photos• Videos• Links to Webpages

Privacy Issues

• Obtain Media Release Forms before posting any student photographs, videos or work samples.

• Plan to monitor all postings from all users to ensure appropriate comments.

• Consider whether you want your blog to be public or private.

Creating a Blog using Blogger

• Create a Google Account (gmail)• Create a Blogger Account• Select a Template• Set Privacy and Display Settings• Begin Blogging!

Create a Gmail Account

• Visit www.google.com• Create a gmail account

Create a Classroom Blog

• Visit www.blogger.com• Sign in using gmail username and

password• Click Create

a Blog

Create a Title & Blog Address

• Create a Title for your Blog (i.e. Miss Smith’s Class Blog)

• Determine the Address (misssmithsclass)

• Check Availability• Enter Word

Verification

Choose a Template

• Choose your favorite template.• Play with the Background/Layout/Advanced

Options to change the appearance of your Blog.• Go « Back to Blogger »

Design Features

• Click on the Design Tab to Add and Arrange Elements

• It may help to create a draft on paper or make a list of things you want to include.

Design Settings

• Edit the Header to include a photo if you wish.

• Add & Edit the Gadgets that appeal to you the most.– Pages– Text– Picture– Slideshow– Links

• My example: Ivy Creek

Privacy Settings

• Select the Settings Tab - Basic

• For the most privacy, say NO to:– Adding blog to

listings– Letting search

engines find the blog

Privacy Settings

• Select the Settings Tab – Comments

• ALWAYS moderate comments

• You can choose to be notified via e-mail when someone posts a comment on your blog.

Privacy Settings

• Select the Settings Tab – Permissions

• Select who can view your blog

Posting Content

• Select the Postings Tab

• You are ready to post!

• Enter a title, some text, a photo or a video.

• Publish Post when you are finished.

Publishing Your Blog

• Under Settings- Choose Publishing

• Complete the Word Verification

• You should only have to do this once.

Approving Comments

• Select Posting – Comment Moderation

• Choose to approve comments for publishing

Getting People to Read your Classroom Blog!

• Send a letter or an e-mail to your families sharing the link. Be sure to include how often you plan to post new content. Encourage them to subscribe to new postings.

• Show parents at an Open House.• Show students the blog, have them

show their parents and post a response as homework.

• Consider options for those who do not have internet access.

What if I Need Help?

Sources• Amolo, S. (2010). Media center happenings. Retrieved from

http://teacherweb.com/BLOG/GA/GwinOaksElementary/Amolo/2/default.aspx

• Braun, K. (2010). He fills my life with good things. Retrieved from http://michaelalexcaroline.blogspot.com/

• Callahan, D. (2010). Welcome to milkpoodle. Retrieved from http://www.carepages.com/carepages/milkpoodle

• Care Pages. (2010). Share your story. Build your support circle. Retrieved from http://www.carepages.com

• Caring Bridge. (2010). Connecting family and friends when health matters most. Retrieved from http://www.caringbridge.org/

• Doughman, L. (2010). 2nd grade rocks at rosemont. Retrieved from www.2ndgraderocksatres.blogspot.com

• Google. (2010). Blogger. Retrieved from https://www.blogger.com/start

Sources• Msnbc.com. (2010). Allday. Retrieved from

http://allday.msnbc.msn.com• Owens, C. (2010). Storybook creator plus and memory manager

helps and hints. Retrieved from http://www.bobcatshaven.blogspot.com/

• Shutterfly. (2010). Share sites: a destination for connecting and communicating. Retrieved from http://www.shutterfly.com/sites/create/welcome.sfly?fid=14c91b02816d88cd

• Stephens, A. (2010). Pura vida! Retrieved from http://astep7.blogspot.com/

• Stohr-Hunt, T. (2010). The miss rumphius effect. Retrieved from http://missrumphiuseffect.blogspot.com/p/thematic-book-lists.html

• Winer, D. (2003). What makes a weblog a weblog? Weblogs at Harvard Law. Retrieved from http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/whatmakesaweblogaweblog.html

• Wordpress. (2010). Retrieved from http://wordpress.com/