Blogging in the Classroom

I have previously created a set of instructions here explaining how to get started creating a blog. Feel free to print them off. I have come across another terrific resource. It is an excellent screen cast series of step by step instructions explaining how to set yourself up with a Blogger.com Blog.

Jumping into the world of using Web 2.0 tools there is a mountain of ideas to sort through in getting started. A really good network of bloggers is essential way to keep rooted. There are so many great software applications some one needs to guide your learning. If you don’t you are likely to run away screaming. If you haven’t found classroom 2.0 take a look and sign up. Discussion forums, resources, your own blog are all available free. I am working with two young teachers helping them work with parents and setting up their first classroom blog. There a few teachers that I would like to highlight.First www.MrWaxlersClass.com. Adam Waxler has used a simple Kubrick default theme for his Wordpress blog. Unlike man other teachers, over at edublogs.com, Mr. Waxler chose to host his website as a distinct domain name. Makes good sense. As you become more proficient and your blog gets bigger the only price tag you will need to worry about his your web hosting package. I found that www.dreamhost.com offers a very reasonable package with lots of “goodies”. Take a peek and let them know I sent you - they give out referral fees. You can do the same thing and reduce the cost of your hosting fees.I want to walk through Mr. Waxler’s blog and why I think that it is a good example of where to start. It is extremely helpful for students and their parents. Homework for the week at a glance. Good resources to help with parenting skills. Most importantly it is simple to update. When you get the hang of blogging you can add the bells and whistles like this web site www.masterymaze.com The author of Masterymaze is looking for other teachers to help build a library of subject specific podcasts.A helping hand can be found from Anne Pemberton@ www.educationalsynthesis.org and Kathy Epps and her BlogDay resource.

We all recognize the benefits of getting our message out using the Internet. Websites readily provide information to a large number of people saving time, money and resources. Unfortunately many people are forced to rely on web development companies or volunteer “computer techies” to create and manage a website to meet their needs. Consequently people stop thinking about using a web site citing “no money” and “I don’t know anything about setting up a website.”

You maybe one of the many people wishing to use a web site but are being challenged to use the Internet to communicate. You may be a parent trying to setup a school council web site; a community volunteer soliciting other volunteers, a teacher wanting a class website or some one justing wanting to share ideas. You want to know how to communicate using the Internet.

I’d like to suggest that you explore “Blogging” as a method of creating your own web site. You can easily post events and meeting notices, lesson plans, ad campaigns with out knowing how to program a website. Please don’t let the word “Blogging” stop you from investigating how to create your own web site using this system. Many people perceive Blogs as controversial web sites. Blogs are simply web sites set up using a system that records diary entires or journal articles also known as posts. You, the user, control what you say and post. You do not require a knowledge of “html”. A free Blogging system offered by Google called Blogger does not require a domain name or hosting service.

There are numerous other blogging systems available. Some have free basic packages with enhanced options at a cost. Moveable Type, Express Engine, 21Publish are examples.

Blogger and another system called Wordpress are two of the most popular free blogging systems. Blogger has preset designs and functions which are excellent for beginners. You will be able to post information when you want and what you want. The latest version of Blogger allows the use of photos, movies and if you get really good you can set up your web site for a mobile phone. You may never need to use anything other than Blogger. Wordpress has greater flexibility and more options and web site designs but requires an more advanced knowledge of web development
I am assuming that you are reading this as a newbie to the Internet and suggest that you start out getting an understanding of a few basic concepts to make the learning process go smoothly.
If you are one of those people, I have created you a get started article you can use as instructions on how to create your own web site using a blogging system. Please refer to Blogging for Beginners.