The Tools: http://www.blogger.com/home, http://www.google.com/reader/, http://www.google.com/ig

The Crib Sheets:  Blogger, Google Reader, iGoogle,

Blogger, Reader, and iGoogle

Google Workshop for Educators - GTA NY - Blogger, Reader, and iGoogle

Blogger

The Tool: http://www.blogger.com
The Crib Sheet: Blogger in the Classroom [PDF]
A Wiki: Blog If You Love Learning

Blogging in Plain English (From The Common Craft Show)



 Demo (At http://glipomona.blogspot.com/ )

• What is a blog?
• Why blogs in education?

Hands-On With Blogger (See also the Blogger Help documentation.)

• Posting
• Create
• Edit
• Moderate Comments
• Settings
• Basic
• Publishing
• Formatting
• Comments
• Archiving
• Site Feed
• Email
• Permissions
• Layout
• Page Elements (Be sure to check out "Add Page Elements"!)
• Fonts and Colors
• Edit HTML (We will remove the Nav bar.)
• Pick New Template

Extend Blogger with Complimentary Tools

• Social bookmarking/Enhanced Linkrolls (e.g. Diigo)
• Online video management/sharing (e.g. TeacherTube)
• Convert blog posts to podcasts (e.g. Odiogo)
• Slideshows (http://www.slide.com/)
• Geography (maps)
• Blog Search - Find Blogs That Interest You! (See also Mark Wagner's custom search.)
• Reader - Subscribe to Blogs That Interest You! (See also the Reader Help documentation.)
• Podcasts, Wikis, and More... (When is a blog not the right tool?)

Examples

Educational Blogs

• Teacher web sites Example
• Class web sites Example
• Learning journals Example
• Book Clubs Example
• Connect with Authors and Experts Example
• Pen Pals Example (See Global Awareness and Cultural Literacy Through Electronic Dialog)
• Professional Development Example
• Reflective Practice Example (Also, don't miss David Warlick's blog.)
• More Examples: http://www.supportblogging.com

Subject Specific Examples

• Algebra Example
• Art Example
• English Example
• Music Example
• Physical Ed. Example
• Science Example
• Social Studies Example
• More Examples: http://www.supportblogging.com

Respond: Leave a comment on http://glipomona.blogspot.com/

• How might you use a blog or blogs in your role as an educator?
• What are your next steps?

Practice: Read, Reflect, Write, Respond...

• http://www.weblogg-ed.com
• http://www.davidwarlick.com/2cents/
• http://www.infinitethinking.org
• http://www.edtechlife.com

Better Blogging

• Read (Or Do), Reflect, Write, Respond
• Develop voice (and identity)
• Make a contribution
• Make connections
• Blog as a backup brain
• 25 Basic Styles of Blogging (and when to use each one)
• Educational Role-Play

Benefits

• Engagement and Motivation
• Context
• Inquiry
• Collaboration
• Reflection and Metacognition

Concerns

• Information Literacy
• More on Info Lit
  
• Inappropriate Content
• Inappropriate Sharing
• Threats and Cyber-bullying
• Intellectual Property (Check out creativecommons.org for alternative licensing.)
• Fraud and Identity Theft
• Stalkers and Predators
• Free Speech Concerns
• Lack of Understanding
• More Internet Awareness and Safety Resources: http://internetawareness.wikispaces.com

Proactive Strategies

• Citizen Journalism and Citizen Police Work
• Legal Protections
• Safety Tips for Students
• Safety Tips for Parents
• Communication and Empathy

Reflection

• What do you see as obstacles to your use of blogs in your class?
• What might you do to overcome these obstacles?

Related Wikis

• It Really Is Really Simple
• Wiki While You Work
• Podcasting in Education
• Learning to Network and Networking to Learn

Reader

Activity: Set Up An RSS Aggregator

• Create an account at Google Reader
• Subscribe to some edublogs and other feeds. (Not sure what to subscribe to?... Consider subscribing to some of the sample blogs listed above.)
  
• Share items with your colleagues and/or students.