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BLOGGING IN THE CLASSROOM BY KELLY ANDERSON and BRAD HICKS
What is blogging? Blogging is a term that comes from web logs.  Web logs are simply websites that can be easily updated.  The use of blogs allows for instantaneous publishing to the internet and access to a world wide audience. Blogs are becoming a fairly common text used by a wide range of people in society to communicate their thoughts to the world.
What is blogging? Blogs can be personal, professional or a mix of both. Expressions in English  http://msanderson.edublogs.org Youth Voices  http://youthvoices.net/elgg   Education Bridges  http://elgg.educationbridges.net   Excellence and Imagination  http://mr-fisher.edublogs.org
Why use it in a classroom context? Blogging obviously involves the use of computers.  Many students are comfortable and often more engaged with this tool. The students’ blogs have a real audience.
Why use it in a classroom context? Instructions can be accessed from home, the dog can’t eat their homework anymore! Less paperwork. Will Richardson
Classroom Use Class Portal Online Filing Cabinet E-Portfolio Collaborative Space Knowledge Management and Articulation School Website  http://lewiselementary.org
Before you start blogging Curriculum should drive the use of any technology. Have you got the computer and internet access you need? Do you feel confident in your own ability to use this technology?  Are there people you can ask for assistance?
Before you start blogging How much parent involvement, if any, will you seek? What security measures are needed?  Notifying those in charge.
Getting started with blogging There are lots of free blog sites that will allow you to set up a blog for every student you teach. It is often easier to set the blogs up yourself initially, as this allows you the opportunity to arrange the settings you want for moderation of the blogs.
Getting started with blogging You can also set up an RSS feed from each blog so that any new posts go directly to you for checking. Other things to consider are whether you will set the look of the blogs, or allow the students to create their own themes.  The overall structure and content of the blogs is often worth planning before you start as well.
Actually doing it Once you are ready to start blogging, do it as a whole class if possible until students are familiar with the process and the technology. Blogging Guidelines Clear instructions
Actually doing it Provide structured tasks and focus questions Provide clear guidelines for commenting on other people’s blogs
Curriculum driven blogs A blog in the classroom context is not a personal diary.  Students need clear expectations stated about what is appropriate content.  (If they want to set up a personal blog, that is their choice, but not yours to monitor!) Any writing previously done on paper can be transferred to a blog context.
Curriculum driven blogs Blogs can be used in any teaching context: primary, secondary and tertiary. Blogs are an excellent reflection tool, both for students and teachers.  Blogs are very interactive and allow for a wider range of constructive criticism.
RESOURCES Learnerblogs, Blogger, Blogmeister, Think.com Bloglines (to manage RSS feeds) Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and other powerful web tools for classrooms  by Will Richardson. ( http://www.weblogg-ed.com )

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Blogging Presentation

  • 1. BLOGGING IN THE CLASSROOM BY KELLY ANDERSON and BRAD HICKS
  • 2. What is blogging? Blogging is a term that comes from web logs. Web logs are simply websites that can be easily updated. The use of blogs allows for instantaneous publishing to the internet and access to a world wide audience. Blogs are becoming a fairly common text used by a wide range of people in society to communicate their thoughts to the world.
  • 3. What is blogging? Blogs can be personal, professional or a mix of both. Expressions in English http://msanderson.edublogs.org Youth Voices http://youthvoices.net/elgg Education Bridges http://elgg.educationbridges.net Excellence and Imagination http://mr-fisher.edublogs.org
  • 4. Why use it in a classroom context? Blogging obviously involves the use of computers. Many students are comfortable and often more engaged with this tool. The students’ blogs have a real audience.
  • 5. Why use it in a classroom context? Instructions can be accessed from home, the dog can’t eat their homework anymore! Less paperwork. Will Richardson
  • 6. Classroom Use Class Portal Online Filing Cabinet E-Portfolio Collaborative Space Knowledge Management and Articulation School Website http://lewiselementary.org
  • 7. Before you start blogging Curriculum should drive the use of any technology. Have you got the computer and internet access you need? Do you feel confident in your own ability to use this technology? Are there people you can ask for assistance?
  • 8. Before you start blogging How much parent involvement, if any, will you seek? What security measures are needed? Notifying those in charge.
  • 9. Getting started with blogging There are lots of free blog sites that will allow you to set up a blog for every student you teach. It is often easier to set the blogs up yourself initially, as this allows you the opportunity to arrange the settings you want for moderation of the blogs.
  • 10. Getting started with blogging You can also set up an RSS feed from each blog so that any new posts go directly to you for checking. Other things to consider are whether you will set the look of the blogs, or allow the students to create their own themes. The overall structure and content of the blogs is often worth planning before you start as well.
  • 11. Actually doing it Once you are ready to start blogging, do it as a whole class if possible until students are familiar with the process and the technology. Blogging Guidelines Clear instructions
  • 12. Actually doing it Provide structured tasks and focus questions Provide clear guidelines for commenting on other people’s blogs
  • 13. Curriculum driven blogs A blog in the classroom context is not a personal diary. Students need clear expectations stated about what is appropriate content. (If they want to set up a personal blog, that is their choice, but not yours to monitor!) Any writing previously done on paper can be transferred to a blog context.
  • 14. Curriculum driven blogs Blogs can be used in any teaching context: primary, secondary and tertiary. Blogs are an excellent reflection tool, both for students and teachers. Blogs are very interactive and allow for a wider range of constructive criticism.
  • 15. RESOURCES Learnerblogs, Blogger, Blogmeister, Think.com Bloglines (to manage RSS feeds) Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and other powerful web tools for classrooms by Will Richardson. ( http://www.weblogg-ed.com )