@arickard

noun: blog (blg) Etymology: short for Web log (we)blog

a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer; also the contents of such a site

Web 1.0?

1990s -> WWW = WorldWideWeb Static, one way websites source of information (Global library) Since 2004: the terms Web 2.0 and Read/Write Web are used (Global conversation!)

So why would a teacher use a blog?

Reasons it matters in teaching...

Develop students key skills:
Research; Presentation, Evaluation

Understanding the way new media work Practice appropriate online behaviour Connect to students interests & creativity Learning beyond the classroom walls Future learning/employment needs:
Collaboration, Interaction & sensitivity to cultural difference

Record of assignments (online filing cabinet) Showcase student work (multi-media projects) Promote peer assessment (comments feature) Be in control of content (no waiting for tech support!) Promote independent study (post material for students eg: on snow days) Be transparent (visible to parents) Motivate and engage reluctant learners

Useful for teachers...

My dog ate my blog

Safety & child protection Free blog services:
Links to inappropriate material (on other blogs)

Netiquette:
Guard against unwelcome comments

Advertising Not on the exam!

Online safety
No full names: (first names, initials or aliases) Avatars not pictures No personal information Get parental permission
(ensure schools ICT policy includes parental permission for online projects)

Blog contract/ Netiquette rules/ Acceptable User Policy (AUP)

Netiquette
Rule 1: Remember the Human Rule 2: Adhere to the same standards of behaviour online that you follow in real life Rule 3: Know where you are in cyberspace Rule 4: Respect other people's time & bandwidth

Rule 5: Make yourself look good online

Rule 6: Share expert knowledge Rule 7: Help keep flame wars under control

Rule 8: Respect other people's privacy

Rule 9: Don't abuse your power Rule 10: Be forgiving of other people's mistakes

more

Sample blogs in Irish schools

The Frogblog
http://www.frogblog.ie

Anyone4science?
http://anyone4science.blogspot.com

Leaving Cert English:

http://leavingcertenglish.net

KH Spanish (Susan Leahy)

http://pancomido.wordpress.com

Mr Kendall Recommends
http://tkendall.edublogs.org/

Generally:
Blogger https://www.blogger.com (blogspot) WordPress - http://wordpress.com (.org) Posterous - http://posterous.com Pen.io http://pen.io

For Teaching:
Edmodo - http://www.edmodo.com Kidblog - http://kidblog.org Weebly http://education.weebly.com

Blogging services...

Further reading on blogs

Teacher tips: Tips on blogging Step by step: Everything you need to know Social network sites not the problem

Will Richardson willrichardson.com Joe Dale ICT for MFL (see Joes blogroll)