1. What is a blog?
A blog is a web log or web diary of sorts. It is generally considered a more professional kind of regularly updated log than other social media (like Twitter and Facebook). Usually, a blog has one author or one group of authors. Usually, the blog author chooses a certain direction or subject. Often, companies have a website for standard content. On their site, they will have a blog for recent updates (like an online newsletter).
2. What advantages does a blog have for a teacher or school?
a. Blogs generally load very quickly. iPads are like Legolas; most Student Information Systems (like Focus/Moddle) are like Gimli. Don't make Legolas carry Gimli. iPads are speed boats. SISs are warships. Blogs don't bog the boat. Blogs are better for iPads.
b. The blogosphere is very consistent. Your IT dept. has better things to do than figure out how 1,000 Legolases will carry 1,000 Gimlis each day.
c. The content is available to everyone always...or as you wish. No password issues.
d. Generally, students already work with blogs. Easy.
e. Collaboration between teachers can be sooooo much clearer. Consider an old course or a concurrently taught course (my story).
f. Your work stays as you left it. Students can search data. Life is good.
g. It is simple to use.
h. You can post from your iPad. Life is good.
- Blogsy
- Web Albums (at least on iPads, you need your image to be loaded in Picasa or some such program so that it has a URL to stick into the blog)
i. Knowing how to manage a blog may help in the future (a good skill to have).
3. What does a good blog look like?
4. How about an aesthetically self-conscious blog?
I use Blogger (owned by Google).
Here are some newcomers, and I should take a moment to discuss blog philosophy.
6. Why do I use blogger?
a. It is very easy to create, post, and edit online.
b. It is free.
c. It has good templates.
d. It ties into our Google setup (students already have gmail accounts, etc.).
e. I might even earn a few dollars if I don't mind selling my soul to the Goovil.
7. I will show you my blogs
Tips and techniques
- Choose a memorable name that is easy to spell.
- Choose a color scheme that you can read.
- Make a different blog for each course (but the same for each class period).
- Include one picture per daily entry...maybe five entries listed per week.
- I use the older style themes on blogger because you can zoom in on iPads (newer themes just flip).
- I turn off the mobile version difference
- Don't kill yourself over each post. Get in the skeleton, add if you have time.
- Post (at least the bare bones) of the next day before you leave work. Many students like to see what is coming.
- If you want to post ahead, just set the scheduler so that they appear on a good day.
- For links on the sides, make a post, then schedule it in the past so that it doesn't clog up the main post section.
Questions?
8. Your turn
You may edit either on the web or through an app (like Blogsy and Web Albums)
Fear not; I will help.
