Blogging Teachers! What, Why, Who, How?

What is it? Definition of a Blog:

Wikipedia Definition: A blog (an abridgment of the term web log) is a website, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.
Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. As of December 2007, blog search engine Technorati was tracking more than 112 million blogs.

Blogs Defined by others:

• PBS Teachers on Blogs - by Andy Carvin Internet activist, author, Edtech expert


• Blogs in Plain English Video Created by "leelefever" on TeacherTube
  [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2I1pWXjXI[/youtube]


• 6 & 7 Year Olds Define Blogs– A TeacherTube video titled, "What's a Blog, Described by 6 & 7 Year Olds". Students from Nelson, New Zealand educate you about what they think a blog is, how they use them and what they love about them.
  [flashvideo width="425" height="350" filename="http://www.teachertube.com/flvideo/1908.flv" /]

Why should Teachers have a Blog:

A blog is a web page that's easy to publish and interactive way to communicate. It can be a reflective practice for the author and readers. It’s an accessible way to share ideas, explore them and take part in a larger community. It allows others to add input to the blog in a discussion or comment form. As you think about your reasons for having a blog, decide on your audience. Are you a classroom teacher trying to reach your parents? Are you a leader wanting more collaborative communication with your peers or other proffessionals? Are you planning to build a blog for your students to contribute to and interact with each other? In essence, the reason for having a blog is communication. In the words of James Humes, “The art of communication is the language of leadership.”

• Why Should Teachers Blog?by Chris Lehmann Principal of the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, PA


• Why Every Teacher Should Blog by Darren Draper, Technology Specialist Sandy, UT

Who's Blogging? Examples of Blogs in Education:

http://supportblogging.com/Links+to+School+Bloggers#toc5-A wiki that contains links to multiple educational blogs. Categories include: Teacher blogs, Administrator blogs, Principal blogs, Librarian blogs and more.

• Elementary Examples
  · http://jhh.blogs.com/webwriters/ Fifth Grade Web Writers
  · Mrs. Wagner's Class- Eva Wagner's blog for her Kindergarten Class
  · http://mmiller7571.edublogs.org/ - Willard East Elementary Blog
  · http://mrsolm.blogspot.com/ Fifth Grade Blog, AZ


• Secondary Examples:
  · http://ridgeviewms.org/podcasts/ - Ridgeview Middle School initiative for podcasting
  · http://www.dawnsbrain.com/ High School Web and Graphic Design teacher
  · Durff's Study Skills Blog A blog for 7th grade Study Skills students in Maryland


• Administrative Examples
  · http://naesp.typepad.com/ ThePrincipals' Office, NAESP’s blog that connects principals with their colleagues
  · http://almostmonday.blogspot.com/- Almost Monday from Puyallup School District, WA
  · http://blog.core-ed.net/greg/ -Greg Carroll, Principal in New Zealand
  · http://principalblogs.typepad.com/lindaperdaems/ The Woodland Elementary Blog, Linda Perdaems, MN
  · http://mr-ps-blog.blogspot.com/ Leadership Blog from an Elementary Principal, AZ
  · Mrs. Marshall's Counselors blog - A counselors Blog.

How to get Started: Edublog Guides & Tutorials:

• Edublog Tutorial Video- Video on Creating an edublog account by Mark Wooley posted on TeacherTube


• Upload Images to Edublog Tutorial Video- Video on how qto upload photos into Edublog by ontanstaff posted on TeacherTube

 

What will I say? Get Inspired Reading:

a. PDF File Strategies for Educational Blogging by Dr. Soo Wai Man, Temasek Polytechnic. Very insightful.
b. http://supportblogging.com/ - a wiki that lists hundreds of edublogs, teacher blogs and student blogs.
c. http://anne.teachesme.com/about/ Edublog Insights. A blog by Anne Davis, Georgia State University. Lots of reflective thinking, links to educational blogs and ideas on blog use. In her words, "This EduBlog is a place to reflect, discuss, and explore possibilities for the use of weblogs in education."