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Did you know?
• Technorati was tracking more than 112,000,000
blogs….back in December 2007.
• Every 1.5 seconds a new blog is created
• 7.4 Million blogs were created in the last 120
days
• 1.5 Million blogs were created in the past 7
days
• 900,000 blogs were created in the last 24 hours
• 37,500 blogs are created every hour
Read more:
http://www.articlesbase.com/blogging-articles/one-new-blog-created-eve
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What is a Blog?
• A weblog is a Web publishing tool that allows
authors to quickly and easily publish text, artwork,
and links to other blogs or Web sites.
• The postings on a blog can be arranged in
chronological order with the most recent additions
featured at the top.
• Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with
regular entries of commentary, descriptions of
events, or other material such as graphics or video.
• Most blogs are interactive, allowing visitors to leave
comments and even message each other and it is
this interactivity that distinguishes blogs from other
websites.
• Blogs postings can be organized by criteria or
theme, such as recipes, book reviews, movie
critiques, or favorite products.
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Why are blogs so popular?
• Blogs are quickly indexed by search engines
• Blogs are easy to access and update
• Blog followers are encouraged to return to the
weblog as a result of frequent updates
• You don’t need to know HTML or any other web
language to manage a blog
• Blogs welcome viewer responses and embrace
interactivity.
• New content added to a blog is instantly available
for viewing
• You don’t need to be a web designer or have web
designing skills to create or maintain a blog
• Blogs are an easy way to share family happening,
home movies, favorite recipes, or latest product
discoveries.
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Why should we use blogs in the
classroom?
• Blogs can be more appealing to students than
books
• Blogs engage students who enjoy watching
the videos, looking at photos and reading
online
• Blogs are interactive and safe
• Blogs give students access to assignments
after they have left the classroom
• Students can continue to learn after they leave
the classroom and can reference bogs for due
dates, additional resources, and links to videos
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Why should we use blogs in the
classroom?
• Shy students might be more comfortable posting
their thoughts and opinion online than expressing
them in person
• Blogs are environmentally friendly, no need to
photocopy papers or carry books home
• Blogs provide students with a live audience who
responds to their postings
• Blogs provide extra reading practice for students
in a fun way
• Blogs can increase the sense of community
within the classroom as students learn about one
another’s hobbies, likes, and opinions
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Educational Uses of Blogs
Blogs can be used to:
• Provide instructional tips for students
• Share class announcements, forthcoming
events, photos of student in field trips or
conduction a science lab, and to summarize
stories students are readings
• Share links that are unavailable in school but
would support student learning.
• Assign student work, share project criteria
and project samples so parents have access
to them as well
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Educational Uses of Blogs
• Publish E-portfolios
• Post exam review guides
• Share class related resources
• Request materials from parents and other
followers
• Share what students are learning about
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What are the Benefits of
Blogging?
• Responsibility and Commitment - Regular
updates require children to be disciplined and
responsible.
• Communication - Increased communication
with friends and relatives
• Exposure to Internet Technologies – As
students work on creating new blogs they
learn how to add videos and images and their
own PowerPoint presentations.
• Improved Writing Skills – Children will want
to share their best work.
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What are the Benefits of
Blogging?
• Improved Editing Skills – Students will
proofread and edit their posts.
• Improved Spelling
Automated spell-checking helps children be
aware of spelling errors.
• Increased Self-Confidence – Students who
are normally shy are more likely to share
their thoughts, opinions, and idea through a
blog rather than in face to face interactions.
• Technology Integration – Blogs allow
teachers to integrate technology in an easy
and fun way.
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How can teachers use blogs
professionally? :
• Networking and personal knowledge sharing
• Share experiences and receive feedback
from teachers who understand the daily
struggles in the classroom
• Share and receive feedback on lesson plans
• Share best practices, success stories, and
receive support
• Stay connected with educators from across
the nation
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What are some common
components of blogs?
• Many blogs provide commentary or news on a
particular subject; others function as more
personal online diaries.
• A typical blog combines text, images, and links
to other blogs and webpages.
• Most blogs are primarily textual, although
some focus on art (art blog), photographs
(photoblog), videos (videoblog), music, and
audio (podcasting).
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Things to consider before
beginning a blog…
• Obtain parental permission.
• Know your school and district’s acceptable use
policies and share them with the students.
• Avoid blogging sites that require students to
publish their complete names and/or e-mail
accounts or ask for any personal information.
• Discuss online etiquette and the importance of
respecting the opinions of others.
• Set clear expectations, rules, and consequences.
• Model appropriate responses and provide the
opportunity for students to practice responding to
postings.
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What do Educational Blogs look
like?
Here are some examples:
• Blogs by Teachers:
http://www.shambles.net/pages/staff/blogteach/
• Blogs for Teachers:
http://teacherlingo.com/
• 50 Must Read Up and Coming Blogs by
Teachers
http://www.teachingtips.com/blog/2008/06/30/50-must-re
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Interesting Articles About Blogs
and Blogging
• Student and Teacher Blogs that Succeed
http://www.techlearning.com/article/8784
• Educational Blogging
http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Review/EDUCA
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Online References and
Resources
• Top 50 Blogs for Teaching Tips, Ideas and Inspiration
http://www.mastersinteaching.net/top-50-blogs-for-teaching-tips-ideas-a
• Videos to help you create a blog:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnploFsS_tY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXiJ6jY3qB4
• Resources in Spanish to share with parents:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYls_5BxJRg
http://paraquesepan.blogspot.com/2007/04/cmo-usar-
blogger-muy-completo.html
http://pymecrunch.com/6-motivos-para-utilizar-el-blog-
como-herramienta-de-comunicacion-empresarial
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Cool Tools for Teacher Bloggers :
• WordPress (http://wordpress.com) Allows you
to set up your layout, color scheme, and theme.
• Blogger/BlogSpot (http://blogger.com) One of
the most commonly used blogs. Linking to
others is easy and updating is very user-
friendly. You also have the option of deleting
comments, which is nice for those who don’t
want people advertising on their blogs.
• BlogSome (blogsome.com) BlogSome is the
fastest growing blog host in the world (in
percentage terms). Was voted Forbes Best of
The Web pick. Based out of Ireland, this site
uses the WordPress MU platform and has a
large choice of themes.
• BlogABond (Blogabond.com) – A site
dedicated to travel blogs with map integration.
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Cool Tools for Teacher Bloggers :
• Trippert (Trippert.com) – Create and share
blogs of your travels.
• EduBlogs (Edublogs.com) – WordPress
powered blogging for educators and students
alike.
• Blog (Blog.com) – Offers free blog hosting.
• Blogster (Blogster.com) – Offers free image
hosting in addition to free blogs.
• Bravenet (Bravenet.com) – Free blog hosting
with RSS feeds.
• ShoutPost (ShoutPost.com) –Ad-free!
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Cool Tools for Teacher Bloggers :
• Tumblr (Tumblr.com) – A blog platform with a
focus on allowing media-rich posts.
• Weebly (Weebly.com) – Allows you to create
a site and blog.
• Read more: http://webupon.com/blogging/top-
31-free-blogging-websites-the-ultimate-
list/#ixzz13tullkPz