1. @arickard

2. noun: blog (blŏg) 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

3. 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!)

4. So why would a
teacher use a blog?

5. 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

6. 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...

7. 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!

8. Online safety
No full names:
(first names, initials or aliases)
Avatars not pictures
No personal information
Get parental permission
(ensure school’s ICT policy includes
parental permission for online projects)
Blog contract/ Netiquette rules/
Acceptable User Policy (AUP)

9. 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
more
Rule 10: Be forgiving of other people's mistakes

10. Sample blogs The Frogblog
http://www.frogblog.ie
in Irish schools 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/
…/…

11. 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...

12. 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 Joe’s blogroll)