WHAT IS A BLOG?

A blog is a type of website that is maintained and controlled by an individual which you can read, write, or edit as a shared on-line journal (like a diary). It can be used as a personal journal for daily entries, a business or corporate blog, genre based blog, device based blog, and so much more.  It can be visible to those who visit the web page.  You can even add media to blogs like pictures, videos, and links to articles. 

The word “weblog” 

“web” (referring to the World Wide Web)

“log” (meaning to write or record)

“web” + “log” = web log. Commonly shortened to just “blog”. 

A blog refers to web-based publications, or postings, on an author’s blog site.

Blogs in Education:

Of course you can use blogs to communicate your opinions and thoughts to the world, but blogs can be a great way to allow students to express their personal ideas on what you are learning.

The classroom only offers limited opportunities for students to talk about their opinions on classroom topics like the revolutionary war or To Kill A Mockingbird. For those who are shy or need more time to articulate their ideas, building a class blog is a great way to let kids informally think and discuss something academic in a personal way. This way the classroom is becoming greener and more technology savy!

From an educational standpoint, blogs provide a means for administrators, teachers, and students to read, reflect, write, and comment on their own, and others’ writings.

1. Use blogs to increase student motivation.

2. Use blogs to increase reading and writing skills.

3. Use blogs as an interactive collaborative tool.

4. Use blogs to help build social networks.

Social Networks may sound scary, but really, it means connecting with others who share the same passions and interests. 

Here is a great example.

http://athwaites.globalteacher.org.au/

http://www.digitalchalkie.com/

http://www.funnymonkey.com/blog

How to create a blog!

Video

How to Set Up a Blog That is Not Visible By a Search Engine On Wordpress.com

1.) Go to www.wordpress.com

 2.) Click on the orange sign up now button.

3.) Make up your own username and password. (Check out my blog at sundeviladdict.wordpress.com

4.) Make sure that you have check the read terms and agreements box. (And actually read them!)

5.) Click on the ‘Gimme a Blog!’ button to have your own URL.

6.) PRIVACY BUTTON: Unclick the privacy box so your blog will not spear in a search engine such as Google or Yahoo! And other public listings around wordpress.com.

7.) Click Sign Up!

8.) Check your email inbox (it says link should be sent within 15 minutes)

9.) When the email appears in your inbox click on the line and then click login and type in your username and password.

10.) Dashboard will appear.

11.) If you want to make your own theme click on Appearance (bottom left hand side) then click on theme. If you don’t find a them you like right away click refresh at the bottom of the page then click A-Z at the top of the page to browse themes( I picked Sweet Blossoms). • A custom header (picture) is available on some themes. To do this go to Appearance > Custom Header > Browse > Upload Photo.

12.) Appearance > Extras > Click on the box that says ‘Hide related links….’ To hide traffic from other peoples blogs.

13.) In dashboard click Settings > Privacy. Users can change the privacy settings on their blog.

14.) To ADD A POST: Click Post (Left hand side) > Add New. Title your post and write! Be sure to click spell check then go ahead and click publish on the upper right hand corner of the page.

15.) After a post is published go to the top of the page and click visit site to view your blog.

16.) Repeat posting steps for each new post for your blog.

17.) Give your wordpress.com URL to others so that they can view your blog.

 18.) To log out click on the log out bottom at the upper right hand corner of the screen.

**When setting up your blog make ensure to apply the "approval of comments required" selection to mediate the comments made by students.**