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Introduction to Blogs. Gayle W. Griggs March 31, 2007. What is a Blog?. Short for Web log A virtual diary, journal or publication that is published and updated frequently with information for public consumption Users publish comments & ideas instantly
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Introduction to Blogs Gayle W. Griggs March 31, 2007
What is a Blog? • Short for Web log • A virtual diary, journal or publication that is published and updated frequently with information for public consumption • Users publish comments & ideas instantly • Structured in reverse chronological order (most recent information first)
Why Blog? • Venue for global discussion • Freedom of expression • Immediacy & speed of interaction • Variety of discussion length/depth • Choice of “persona” • Global publication tool • Subject specific
Blogs in Education: Teachers • Share knowledge & research • Provide useful instructional tips • Display course announcements &/or readings • Offer links to articles or others’ blogs • Serve as a classroom bulletin board
Blogs in Education: Students • Write to a “real” audience • Assume ownership of their work • Give & receive feedback in a collaborative environment (students teach students) • Communicate research & activities • Review & submit assignments • Dialogue in groups • Share resources
What Students Say about Blogging • Fun with technology and self-expression • Improves writing and communication skills • Creates a record for the future and a window to the world outside the classroom • Creates shared experience • Goes beyond, “What did you learn today?” “I don’t know…” • Experiments with styles of communication and expression • Shares knowledge • Gains confidence from seeing your ideas published • Allows for working and playng well with others • Students learn from students From EduBlog Insights: http://anne.teachesme.com/2005/07/09#a2979
Blog Management • Monitor blogs frequently • Delete suspicious posts • Promote Web safety to students • Maintain anonymity • Avoid personal information • Think before posting images • Review before publishing
Examples of Educational Blogs • ESL Writing • Neil Whitfield’s English and ESL English Studies, TESOL, ESL, and related matters • Wordsmarts
Set Up Your Own Blog • WordPress.com(http://wordpress.com/)
My Blog http://ggriggs.wordpress.com/
WordPress Features • Upload files to share • jpg or jpeg • png (Portable Network Graphics) • gif • Pdf (Portable Document Format) • doc (Word) • ppt (PowerPoint)
Activate Your Blog • Check email to receive link and confirmation • Check email to receive user name, temporary password and link
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