Extension Module: Blogs

Overview

The gap between what is happening in different schools/classrooms is growing, there is a polarization of problem solving capacity, technology skills, etc. Tools such as blogs, have the potential to help educators and students bridge this gap. This module will provide you the resources to explore and learn about blogs. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to create your own blog. 

Cool Blog Quote:

"Blogs are as individual as the people who keep them, but this survey shows that most bloggers are primarily interested in creative, personal expression," said Lenhart. "Blogs make it easy to document individual experiences, share practical knowledge, or just keep in touch with friends and family." (see 2006 Pew Internet Report)

 

 

Standards & Benchmarks

Standard: The teacher has the prerequisite technology skills to teach online.

Benchmark: The teacher demonstrates growth in technology knowledge and skills in order to stay current with emerging technologies.

 

 

Objectives

Upon completion of this module, participants will:

• understand more about blogs
• be able to create a blog

 

 

Activities

1. Click here for a virtual tour to explore what is all the hoopla about blogs...

2. Create Your Own Blog
   • Blogger is easy, fun, and free. See Resources > 1. Blogger. However, podcasting has not been working with Blogger.
   • WordPress is what we have been recommending for OTLOzens who want to podcast.

      

     • More in Resources
3. Discussions
   • Discussion Topic: Blogorama
   • Discussion Thread: Discuss the potential ethics of blogging
   • Discussion Thread: Discuss the potential eLearning uses of blogging for your content area

 

 

Resources

More Blogs w/ Tutorials

1. Blogger - free, create (and delete) as many blogs as you want, awesome Dashboard feature, fun place to start and experiment with.
   • Blogger Help: Beyond Blogging - Fun How Tos, Interviews, Editorials, and Advice from Blogger.
2. Wordpress - free, powerful software with dovoted users who create plugins, skins/themes, etc.
   • A Wordpress Tutorial - Get help with installation, customization, and software features.
   • Wordpress plugins you can't live without - Really cool stuff for the intermediate to advanced blogger.
3. Bloglines - free, provides a variety of advanced features, including the addition of your favorite feeds
   • Bloglines Help - FAQs for Bloglines
4. Edublogs.org - free fully featured WordPress blogs and wikispaces for teachers! Note: I tried this site and it appears to be having some problems. I would recommend keeping an eye on this for the future.

Sites

• Educause's Blog - This blog provides great academic resources and is part of an award winning site.
• Forbes' Best Blogs - lots of great blogs to peruse.
• Edutopia's Blog - Edutopia is a great teacher resource and they have recently added a blog.
• weblogg-ed - Will Richardson's blog.

Books/Articles

• Will Richardson's Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms
• 7 Things You Should Know About Blogs (pdf download)
• 7 Things You Should Know About Videoblogging (pdf download)
• Time to check: Are you using the right blogging tool? - This online article links to an extensive comparison chart for blogging software, provides definitions for blogging jargon, gives further explanation of some of the popular software, and has excellent comments by bloggers.
• Survey of the Blogosphere Finds 12 Million Voices

 

 

 

 

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