Innovations_Blogs

= ** Wiki on Blogs - Fall 2010 ** =

Katie Watson, Ashley Schoolar, and Jackie Wybron http://www.miniteachblog.blogspot.com/

** What is a Blog? - **"A blog (also called a weblog or web log) is a website consisting of entries (also called [|posts]) appearing in reverse chronological order with the most recent entry appearing first (similar in format to a daily journal). Blogs typically include features such as [|comments] and [|links] to increase user interactivity. Blogs are created using specific [|publishing software]". - [|Susan Gunelius], About.com Guide

Video (Creative Commons “In Plain English” or something from YouTube or Teachertube? media type="youtube" key="NN2I1pWXjXI?fs=1" height="252" width="308" align="center"

** Facts or Need to Knows (any special etiquette involved with your technology, for example? ** It’s important to remember, when using a blog, that what you choose to type will become public domain! It is imperative that you act professionally and in a mature way. You never know who will stumble across what you have written!

** How to Create Your Own: ** Go to [] Choose “create a new account” Enter your information. Some examples of things required are your e-mail address, your desired password, and the name you’d like for your blog. Choose a template, or basic “look” for your blog”. That’s it! You are now the owner of your very own blog! **To create a new blog post:** Select “new post”. Give your blog a title (optional) and type your desired text into the text box. Click on “publish post”. **Now what?** There are all kinds of things that you can add to your blog to make it look nice and to share more information quickly with friends and family. One popular addition to any blog (personal or professional use) is a nice background. At websites like [] you can find anything from very “cutesy” backgrounds, to more streamlined and professional ones. For personal blogs, “tickers” are very popular. With these, you can display things such as how long you’ve been married to your spouse, countdowns to an event, how far along a pregnancy is, or how old your child is. One website that makes tickers like these is [|http://www.lilypie.com/].

** Examples in “real life”/general uses ** Real-life examples: [] [] Uses: personal updates about life for family and friends to read [] Use: Short book reviews that others can learn from and comment on.

**Cla Classroom/Learning Uses:**

**Teacher Uses** - Teachers may use blogs to communicate with each other such as, discussing lesson plans. A blog can be used as a tool for keeping students engaged in the content, or lesson plan for the day. Some teachers encourage their students to respond to their reading questions assignment online on a class blog. "Blogs provide a space where teachers and students can work to further develop writing skills with the advantage of an instant audience. Teachers can offer instructional tips, and students can practice and benefit from peer review" This quote is from //Mollie Crie//, an //educator// with //22 years in the classroom.//


 * Student Uses** -Having a personal blog, using it as a way to communicate and brainstorm with fellow students about upcoming projects.

**Possible differentiation for Special Needs/ELL students (if you can think of any)** Extra Credit - There could be blogs posted for ELL students in tentative language. The children could respond and comment on each others blogs. This could help the students who are unsure of a English word and get clarification. Plus, this will help the ELL students practice writing and reading in their native language

**Parent uses (if applicable) - Here is a video that involves parents using social media (BLOGS!):**

media type="youtube" key="k0NvvKurVJQ?fs=1" height="187" width="297" align="center"

A fantastic idea for parent use of blogs. A teacher could set up a blog for her students parents to view the progress of their child's education. The teacher could use the blog also to communicate via internet with the parents on topics such as parent teacher conferences and inform the parent of the activities in the classroom. http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=1337. This is a blog that a teacher created so that parents can see the accomplishments of her classroom.

Resource links to examples of classroom uses or articles/online sources with suggestions for use in the classroom, lesson plans. http://www.glencoe.com/sec/teachingtoday/educationupclose.phtml/47 http://www.edutopia.org/blog/workshops-helping-parents-embrace-social-media http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=1337 http://teacherlingo.com/ http://langwitches.org/blog/2008/12/25/introduction-to-blogging-lesson-plan/ http://www.dynamitelessonplan.com/


 * Citations/Works Cited (in APA style)****

Susan Gunelius 2010 About.com, How to Write a Blog People Want to Read ,Tips for Creating Compelling Blog Content [] Kathy Cassidy ,2010, blogmeister [] Resource links to examples of classroom uses or articles/online sources with suggestions for use in the classroom, lesson plans. www.blogger.com Edutopia.org.Technology links to the classroom. (Video). (2010, July 26). Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0NvvKurVJQ&feature=player_embedded#! Commoncraft.com. (creator) leelefever (poster). Blogs in Plain English. (Video). (2007, Nov. 29). Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI