Blogging+for+Beginners

__ Class Objectives: __ * Understand what a blog is and how to use it in the classroom. * Teacher as blogger.... * Participate in brief blogging activity. * View free blogging sites. * Review blogging guidelines for your classroom. * Read blogs for ideas and information.

**Blogging** is a form of web journaling, or web logging - hence it's name "**blogging**". "Posts" to the **blog** are read by others, who then have the option to "post a comment". The author of the **blog** may choose to "moderate comments" in which the author decides which comments to post publicly.

In education, **blogs** are used in a variety of ways; posting assignments, communicating, storing information, sharing expertise or for interactive lessons.

Comment moderation is an important feature for educational **blogs**. It gives the teacher the opportunity to manage what is posted on the **blog** site for others to view. In addition, users should be aware of acceptable use policies and web safety considerations when selecting a user id and making posts.

//http://www.21things4teachers.net/3---blog.html//

1. Blog Basics ~ This site gives an overview of what a blog actually is and how it can be utilized in the classroom. ** [|The Case for Student Blogging] ** ** [|Ten Ways to Use a Blog] ** **[|14 Steps to Meaningful Blogging]** ** [|11 Things You Should Know About Blogging] **

**2. Blogging Rules and Guidelines ~ create your own guidelines and share them with students.**

Courtesy of: http://teacherchallenge.edublogs.org/2011/02/18/student-blogging-activity-2-beginner-setting-up-rules-guidelines/
 * Here are examples of different ways they are used on class blogs to help you with the task:**
 * 2KM @ Leopold Primary School! [|Our Blog Guidelines] and [|General blogging information] (Grade 2)
 * Math Error [|Class Blogging Guidelines]
 * Mr. Salsich’s [|Class Blog Guidelines] (Grade 3)
 * Mr Mundorf’s Class [|Online Safety] (Grade 5)
 * Huzzah’s [|Commenting Guidelines] (Grade 5/6)
 * Endless Questions [|Responsible Blogging] (Grade 6-8 )
 * Mr. Pfluger’s Discussion Corner [|Blog Guidelines] (Grade 6)
 * Our Space [|Student blogging Guidelines] (Year 6)
 * Mr. M’s History Blog [|Posting Comments] (Grade 8 )
 * Mr Jorgensen’s [|Blogging Guidelines] (Grade 8 )
 * Mr B’s Box [|Parent Information about our blogs]
 * Scattergood Biology [|How To Post and Comment]
 * Biology in Action [|Blogging Guidelines](High School and College)

[|Student Blogging Guidelines]


 * 3. Classroom Blogs ~ create a free blog site for your students or......YOU! **

[|Blog.com] [|Blogetery] [|Blogsome] [|Class Blogmeister] [|eBlogger] [|Edublog] [|Pen.io] [|Posterous] [|Schoolrack] [|squidoo] [|tumblr] [|TypePad] [|Word Press] [|Yahoo Pulse]

[|Creating Blogs and Websites]

4. Kidblog ~ This is the site I've used with my third graders. Free and easy to use for both teacher and student. I recommend this site to beginning "bloggers".

Since technology in classrooms is constantly being updated, the way children practice skills should be updated, too. [|KidBlog] is a fast and easy way for teachers to set up their very own classroom blog. Think of it like an online journal. Instead of students writing passages in a notebook everyday, they can do the same thing on the computer and not have to worry about losing the book or leaving it at home. It is a new way for them to discover the joys of writing as a way to get their thoughts across.

Built by teachers, KidBlog was made with intentions of having a safe, yet simple blogging platform for elementary students. The site allows teachers to give each student their own, unique blog. With simple login menus and no required email address, students can easily access the site. While typing their blogs, spell check ensures that students can see and correct any spelling mistakes. The simple interface is easy enough for elementary age students to utilize. Publishing a blog has never been so easy. All students have to do is enter a title, type what they want and press publish! Just like that, students can proudly publish their work over the Internet.

What's also great about this site is that teachers can maintain complete control over the blogs. They can even require posts to be approved before publishing through the Class Settings Tab. Visitor access can also be restricted to just class members or guests with a password. Spam filters even block unsolicited comments from outside sources. Students can publish posts and even participate in discussions within a safe classroom blogging community. Directory pages make it easy for students to find each other's blogs.


 * 5. Read some blogs to get some creative ideas! **

[|100 Best Blogs for Classroom Teachers]
 * Course Number WP14 **

Feel free to contact me:

Kristen Murphy Laurel Elementary School kmurphy@laurel.k12.pa.us kristenm41@gmail.com During this session, participants will be introduced to KidBlog.org. Not familiar with "blogging"? Think of blogging as an online journal. Students can share their thoughts, ideas, and/or questions about curriculum online with their teacher and peers. Not only will students be able to read their own material online, but also they can see entries written by their classmates. It is a safe, simple way for students to get their thoughts down...not on paper...but online!
 * __Description__**

At the completion of this course, participants will have a blog set up to use in the classroom for the 2010 school year. Participants will have the knowledge to easily manage the blog.
 * __Created Project/Course Outcome__**

Keyboarding and the ability to access the Internet are the only prerequisites for the course.
 * __Prerequisite Knowledge__**

Participants should come prepared with class lists of students' first and last names. Passwords for each student will be needed. The participants may create the passwords while on site (i.e. 001, 002, 003). The participants may have school passwords that are already assigned. If this is the case, it is recommended that these passwords be used.
 * __Participants Should Bring__**


 * __Target Grade Levels__** - All Grade Levels
 * __Target Content Area__** - Applicable to All Subjects
 * __Computer Platform__** - Any