Don’t get “blogged” down

1. Don’t get “blogged” down Little tips about blogging to make your life easier, and your classroom more effective. Presenter: Bryce Ballif

2. About me • *This is my 20th year in Weber School District • Teach A.P. Biology, Biology. • 4th year as Athletic Director; makes for long days. • *A.P. Biology since 2000 • *Built program from 13 students to 190 students, 163 students have passed A.P. test in the last 11 years. • *Changing constantly to be a better teacher, and have more student success.

3. How can we be better teachers? • Learn and incorporate new technologies. • Not to replace what we do, but enhance what we do. Blogging is one such technology.

4. It doesn’t matter what I tell you, if you don’t want to do it, you won’t do it. • So how can I convince you to use it? • T.V. Remote • Cell Phone • Ipod • Ipad, Kindle, Nook • Ah hah, so we use technologies we like. • We are spoiled with technology! Technology Clip

5. How many of you are regular “bloggers”? • For those who aren’t, tell me why. • Takes too long. Time issue. • Don’t know how to do it. • Don’t see the value/importance. • Doesn’t fit my class, not much to post. • Don’t have a computer.

6. So let’s get blogging. • You all have a blog, but maybe haven’t done anything with it, or you started & … • Select the theme (template) of your blog. • Let’s go to our blogs.

7. Two ways to get to your blog • Type in your address. • Blog.weber.k12.ut.us/bballif(username) • Go to Weber School District site. • Go to blogs. (2 places to do that) • Look at stats from Weber Schools bloggers.

8. Dashboard • This is your overall control center of your blog. • You will navigate around your blog, change appearance, and manipulate all changes from here.

9. Choosing a Theme • What is a theme? • Take 5-10 minutes to look at the themes. Choose one that is widget ready. Are you like me? • What is a Widget? Widgets are a handy, easy and simple way to add some flare to your blog. • Most important rule for widgets, less is more. • When searching for a theme, you can add in search box, “widget ready”.

10. Categories • What is a category? • Categories are like a paper filing system. You put each paper in a drawer of the file cabinet. • There are only a set number of drawers, and so each must cover a rather wide subject matter. • Possible categories: • Class/Subjects • Videos • Student Work • Take a minute to think of and create a couple categories.

11. Pages • Static page of information. • Doesn’t change every day. • Types of pages. • About me, personal introduction • Class information, syllabus-type schedule • Disclosures • Webertube– list of videos available • FAQ page • Hall of Fame • Announcements/Advertisement information • Let’s look at some examples and make some pages.

12. Posts • Daily information • Powerpoints & pictures • Labs, worksheets, assignments • Links to valuable sites and information • This is where the student can follow the day to day work/assignments/activities. • Let’s look at some examples, and make some posts, links, etc.

13. Embedding Video • Video can greatly enhance your blog. • Video of you teaching an activity. • Video from Webertube or other site to reinforce or teach a concept. • Video can bring your class to life.

14. How do you embed videos? • Select the video you want to embed. • Find the embedded link on the right hand side of the page. • Highlight, right click, and copy that embedded link. • Go back to your post. Click on HTML tab at the top of the page, and paste the link where you want the video to appear. • Take a few minutes to embed a video off of Webertube.

15. Blogging Tips • You run the blog, don’t let the blog run you. Schedule when you will update, and don’t stress over it. • Keep it simple. Start out with less and build up as you go. • Tell your students how often you plan on updating; Once a week, every other day, etc. • Ask for feedback about your blog. You can set up polls and surveys on your blog. • Make it so it helps students, not overburdens them. • Make it yours. Find what works for you.