Transcript Classroom Blogs - University of West Georgia

Classroom Blogs
Kimberly Sharp
MEDT 8461
University 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
•
•
•
•
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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 email 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 SettingsChoose
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/A
molo/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=14c
91b02816d88cd
• 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/thematicbook-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/