Introduction to BlogsGayle W. GriggsMarch 31, 2007

What is a Blog?

• Short for Web log • A virtual diary, journal or publication that

is published and updated frequently with information for public consumption

• Users publish comments & ideas instantly• Structured in reverse chronological order

(most recent information first)

Why Blog?

• Venue for global discussion• Freedom of expression • Immediacy & speed of interaction• Variety of discussion length/depth• Choice of “persona”• Global publication tool• Subject specific

Blogs in Education: Teachers

• Share knowledge & research

• Provide useful instructional tips

• Display course announcements &/or readings

• Offer links to articles or others’ blogs

• Serve as a classroom bulletin board

• Write to a “real” audience • Assume ownership of their work• Give & receive feedback in a collaborative

environment (students teach students)• Communicate research & activities• Review & submit assignments• Dialogue in groups• Share resources

Blogs in Education: Students

What Students Say about Blogging• Fun with technology and self-expression • Improves writing and communication skills • Creates a record for the future and a window to the world

outside the classroom • Creates shared experience • Goes beyond, “What did you learn today?” “I don’t know…” • Experiments with styles of communication and expression • Shares knowledge • Gains confidence from seeing your ideas published • Allows for working and playng well with others • Students learn from students

From EduBlog Insights: http://anne.teachesme.com/2005/07/09#a2979

Blog Management

• Monitor blogs frequently

• Delete suspicious posts

• Promote Web safety to students– Maintain anonymity– Avoid personal information– Think before posting images– Review before publishing

Examples of Educational Blogs

• ESL Writing

• Neil Whitfield’s English and ESL English Studies, TESOL, ESL, and related matters

• Wordsmarts

Set Up Your Own Blog• WordPress.com (http://wordpress.com/)

Start Your WordPress Blog

Username-Email Address

Your Blogging Home

My Blog

http://ggriggs.wordpress.com/

WordPress Features

• Upload files to share– jpg or jpeg– png (Portable Network Graphics)

– gif – Pdf (Portable Document Format)

– doc (Word)

– ppt (PowerPoint)

Activate Your Blog

• Check email to receive link and confirmation

• Check email to receive user name, temporary password and link

My Account

Starting Off

Select My Dashboard

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