What about Weblogs?

According to Webster’s Online Dictionary a blog is defined as: a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments and often hyperlinks provided by the writer; also: the contents of such a site.

So with this information in hand I ventured into the land of blogging...wait, stop, I have to make a confession first.  I have been here before. In 2008 I setup a Blog, with the help of a staff member, to use as a tool to notify parents of homework assignments ( Mrs. Boyd's Blog) but, looking back at this blog, I now realize it was not used in the true sense of blogging.  Sure, parents could find the homework assignments but I could have given them access to so much more.  A prime opportunity was missed to make connections with parents and students.


So what would I do differently now that I know better?

Well, prompted by Richardson’s statement that “the best way to fully understand the potential of Weblogs as a teaching and learning tool is to become a blogger” (Richardson, p.43) I dove into the realm of blogging.  During this inquiry I have learned how to do many tasks that make a blog more appealing to the audience.  Although I feel I have just scratched the surface here are a few things I have learned:

How to add a video from Youtube:

1. go here: http://www.youtube.com/
2. below the selected video there is a "share" button - click it
3. one of the options will say "embed" - click it
4. copy the code and paste it into a new blog post
5. you must be on Edit HTML

Why add video to a blog? Videos connect with the audience.  They are a quick and easy way to engage the consumer and get your message across. 


How to add a Gadget:

       1.      log into your blog
       2.      on the Dashboard select Design
       3.      select Add a Gadget
       4.      select the gadget from the bank that suits
                your needs - click the plus sign beside the gadget you desire.

Gadgets can be used to increase the profile of a blog, track interests of the blogger, or even provide weather updates.

How to add a picture to my profile:

       1. log into your blog
       2. on the dashboard locate settings – click it
       3. locate edit Photo – click it
       4. upload the URL with your picture

In addition to these "how tos" I have learned to add meaningful names to links so the URL is hidden, to add links to the blogs that I follow, and new pages for additional post, such as my Current Events page.

Blogs are a place to read and consume information, a place to reflect and connect. They should be engaging and informative; the reader should want to come back for more.

I plan to continue to investigate blogging as I continue my travels. Keep an eye out for new additions to this blog!

Readings:

Richardson, W., (2010) Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms,
(3rd edition.).Thousand Oaks, CA, Corwin