Blogs

Along with wikis blogs are the most widely used Web 2.0 Tool. Blogs were one of the first Web 2.0 Tool application where users could easily upload web content for users to read. Blogs are also a very important part of web democracy where anyone can make a blog and publish to a potentially worldwide audience.

"Blog" is an abbreviated version of "weblog", which is a personal website featuring diary-type comments, presenting the author's daily life and thoughts. Normally blog site has a main content area with articles listed chronologically, newest on top.

The blogging software removes the technical barriers to publishing online and also the 'journal' format encourages students to keep a record of their thinking over time. Blogs also facilitate critical feedback, by letting readers add comments - which could be from teachers, peers or a wider audience.


In education blogs serve many purposes:

For the Teacher

  1. To have a professional voice
  2. To connect with other teachers who have similar interests
  3. To share ideas with colleagues
  4. To collect/archive/organise teaching ideas/reflections

For the student

  1. To encourage and support students
  2. To engage students in critical reflection
  3. To create a community of practice (online and face to face)
  4. To encourage students to use Web 2.0 Tools meaningfully
  5. To give students an authentic context/audience for their learning
Why blog? A wikispace site
Blog Tips A wikispace site
Blogs in education
100 best Blogs for Teachers

Blogging Sites for Education (click on the link below to view or sign up)

Blogger A very popular blogging tool. Owned by Google so is going to be around for a long time and is stable. Easy to use and setup.
21Classes Basic blogging features are free: allows teacher blog and underlying student blogs. Worth a look.
Edublogs Used extensively in New Zealand Schools
Wordpress Wordpress: another popular blogging tool with educators
Class Blogmeister Purpose built blogging for schools

Question: How do I view my favourite blogs easily without having to type in the URLs or use my favourites?
Answer: Use an RSS (Real Simple Syndication) aggregator such as Bloglines. This allows you to login to Bloglines and view all your favourite Blogs from one website.
Bloglines
Click on the link above and setup your free personal bloglines account. Here you will be able to add your own personal favourite blogs and read all of them from one site.
bloglines.jpg
Bloglines example


Links to School Blogs of interest to New Zealand Teachers

Early Childhood

Naketa's Blog:
Kindergarten Tales
Geraldine Kindergarten
Heretaunga Kindergarten
Mania Kindergarten
Kidsincharge

Primary

Glenview Class Blog
PointEngland class
Sensational 6
Hey Milly
Friendly Fives
Celebrating ICT
Woodmonstas
Tamaki Primary
Room 5 Pinehill School
Mangatapus blog
Room 18 reporters
Opoho School
Norhcote 3
Little Voices
Room 34
Room 2
Celebrating ICT

Secondary

Year 12 English Blog
2MES
Teaching French in KiwiLand

Teacher Comments Professional Development


Maniakalani
Tom Barrett
Rob Sbaglia
Ewen Macintosh
Wesley Fryer