workshop

=Blog If You Love Learning: An Introduction to Weblogs in Education=

Mark Wagner Educational Technology and Life mark@edtechlife.com

[|Slides] (Quicktime Format)

Interactive Demo
 * What is a blog?
 * What is the read/write web?
 * What do these technologies mean for you and your students?

Pets and Babies: See Clark's blog as an example of a multimedia (niche) blog: http://clarkkelley.blogspot.com

Create an Account at [|Blogger.com] (or use your existing Google Account) Or, Create an Account at [|Edublogs.org]

The One-Way Web
 * Powerful resource for educators and students, but…
 * Information moves from publishers to consumers
 * Information cannot be edited
 * Read-Only Web
 * Web 1.0

The Two-Way Web
 * It is now as easy to create as it is to consume.
 * Anyone can publish, share, and change information
 * Read/Write Web
 * Web 2.0
 * This is changing our world!

Blogs
 * Web + Log = weblog or “we blog”
 * Easily created
 * Easily updated
 * If you can email, you can blog.
 * Blogs allow visitors to comment.

Educational Blogs
 * Teacher web sites [|Example]
 * Class web sites [|Example]
 * Learning journals [|Example]
 * Book Clubs [|Example]
 * Connect with Authors and Experts [|Example] (Link now dead.)
 * UPDATE: The Story - []
 * 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] and [|Vicki Davis' blog].)

Subject Specific Examples
 * Algebra [|Example]
 * Art [|Example]
 * English [|Example]
 * Music [|Example]
 * Physical Ed. [|Example]*
 * Science [|Example]
 * Social Studies [|Example]
 * Counseling [|Example]
 * Spanish [|Example]

Middle School Examples (for CLMS from my colleagues on Twitter)

More Examples: http://www.supportblogging.com

Reflection: Add your comment to [|our demo blog] :
 * How might you use a blog or blogs with your class?
 * What are your next steps?

Hands-On with [|Blogger.com] or [|Edublogs.org]
 * Blogger [|video tutorials]!
 * [| Edublogs Video Tutorials]
 * A blog about [| edublogs tutorials] ! (Including more videos.)

Practice: Read, Reflect, Write, Respond...
 * [|http://www.weblogg-ed.com]
 * http://www.davidwarlick.com/2cents/
 * [|http://www.infinitethinking.org]
 * [|http://www.edtechlife.com]
 * Search at [|Google Blog Search]
 * Search [|Dr. Wagner's subscriptions]

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]
 * 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
 * More on the legal and privacy issues surrounding blogging and other digital media: http://www.eff.org/

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?

Online Evaluation (Not Currently Open)

 Blog Search Engines:  [|Technorati.com]  [|Google Blog Search]

 Next Steps:  RSS - http://reallysimple.wikispaces.com - Subscribe to blogs (and other "Feeds") so that the updates come to you!  Wikis - http://wikiwhileyouwork.wikispaces.com - A wiki is a website that visitors can edit, making it another two-way collaboration tool.  Podcasting - http://podcastined.wikispaces.com - A podcast is like a blog with audio or video. Create your own online radio or TV show!  Twitter - http://twittermethis.wikispaces.com - Join a global learning community and feel good about it... while social microblogging!

 Learning to Network & Networking to Learn: Beyond The Tools - http://networktolearn.wikispaces.com

 //*Thanks to Lisa Thuman and her PLN for this update.//