Blogs

__**Blogs**__

 For this assignment, you will be exploring the topic of blogs, thinking about how they might be utilized in the classroom and then creating one on your own!

Examples of blogs http://plethoratech.blogspot.com/ http://www.classroomblogging.com/ http://www.classroom20.com/profiles/friend/list http://www.huffenglish.com/ http://wbeablogs.blogspot.com/
 * Task 1)** Please look at some blogs to get an idea of what they are like, what they are used for, common features, and the audience. I suggest click on a couple of the links below, and then do some searching of your own related to blogs in your content area. Find 3 that you find useful to your content area - will need them for another task below.


 * Task 2)** Please send me an email and in a couple of sentences, describe what a blog is, how it looks, some common features, and briefly describe how you might categorize blogs you saw for use in education. IN YOUR SUBJECT, PLEASE TYPE "BLOG" AND THEN YOUR NAME.


 * Task 3)** Think about how you might utilize blogging in your classroom - for you and for your students. Make a list for each as you will utilize these when you create your blog.


 * Task 4)** Find and read 3 articles related to blogging. Save the links as you will utilize them when you create your blog.

>> What is the focus of your blog? >> What do you want your address (URL) to be? >> _.edublogs.com (You can’t change this, so choose wisely.) >> What will you call your blog? Becomes the Title (You can change title later.) >> What will you call yourself as you blog? This will be your username, which appears when you leave a comment on other blogs. >> What is your password? Remember, this page is right behind the new window if you get stuck, but you won’t get stuck because this is so easy!
 * Task 5)** Create your own blog.
 * 1) Go to edublogs.org and create your blog by entering your info (It will be a good idea to have the following items on a piece of paper and handy)
 * 2) Who is your audience?
 * 1) If you need instructions in how to create the blog, check out the videos or manual in the links at left.
 * 2) After you create an account, you must validate it with a link Edublogs will send you in an e-mail. Open your e-mail and click on the link to get started.
 * 3) Now for the fun part! Using the resources in the links at the left, personalize your blog:
 * Choose a template.
 * Update your profile.
 * Write a post where you discuss ways they can be used for teachers (of your content area) as well as ways blogs can be utilized for students in your courses (specific content area)
 * Create an “About Me” page.
 * Upload a blog avatar.
 * Choose widgets for your sidebar.
 * Add some links to your blogroll (maybe some favorite blogs you found earlier along with the 3 blogs you would use in your classroom for you or yoru students).
 * Add your 3 blog related article links, with a sentence or two annotation at a minimum. Feel free to do something else with these too!
 * Write a post about how you would integrate a blog into your thematic unit


 * Task 6)** Click here to go to the Individual Blog wiki page and upload the link to your blog under the appropriate content area.