Blog
What is a
Blog?
A Blog can be
described as a very simple webpage where the entries (or posts) are organised
in reverse chronological order. A blog is usually open to the public and many
are free to create. It is generally the work of one author but group blogs are
not uncommon. Blogs can also offer an opportunity to interact with readers.
Readers can post comments like with a guest book on a website. Blogs can also
be regarded as a form of personal publishing on the Internet.
The word blog is short for weblogs or web based log.
Possible Educational
Uses
From a teacher’s point of view, a blog can become a
class notice board, an archive of links and documents or as a collaboration or
discussion tool with his/her students. It can also be used by the students as a
learning reflection tool.
Blogs encourage
students to write and also to read on a topic they wish to comment on. Bloggers
continually search, filter and post ideas and information which engage higher
order thinking skills. As blogs are open to the world in the same way as
websites, it is possible to allow comments from the readers and to get
feedback. Students can use this feedback to improve on their work.
Blogs also make
it very easy to embed video, audio or flash movies. It is also possible to
attach word processing, spreadsheets and pdf files into a blog.
Selecting appropriate
software
Blogging
software breaks down into two categories, each with its own advantages and
disadvantages.
Hosting services:
A hosting service is a website that will allow users
to create a blog on their server. The hosting service will require you to
register a username and password. The hosting service will have an admin page
consisting of forms where you can add content for your blog. This simplifies
the process of updating your blog. The hosting service will also supply a range
of style templates to decorate you blog. It will provide some useful
accessories such as a flash movie viewer or a facility to update your blog
using email.
As you are using a hosting device your blog url will generally be of the form of
username.hostingservicename.com. There are quite a few hosting services
available although some caution may be need in selecting one in an educational
context. Blogger is the best known hosted blog service and has been used in
classrooms however it has a feature which links random blogs to your blog which
may not be age appropriate for some classes. Another feature of some hosting
services is the inclusion of ads on the blog page. Again some may not be
suitable for some classes. There are hosting services that have an educational
focus. These services have removed the negative features outlined above to make
it more useful and safe for the classroom. Edublogs.com and Learner blogs are
two such examples.
Installed applications
This involves installing a piece of software on your
own webserver or website server provider. An installed application may provide
a better solution to institutions as access can
be controlled. However using an installed application
will require some technical knowledge to setup and maintain. Some of the better
known examples of installed applications are Moveable type, WordPress, Live
Journal. Microsoft has produced a desktop Blog writer called Live Writer which
works with most of the most popular hosting blog services.
Technical and
Purchasing considerations
Cost: Most Blogging solutions on offer
are free but a purchased solution may provide advantages that a free solution
may not, such as web space and technical backup. Some installed applications
software are free or have an education price available to schools.
Technical: Even with the free hosting options
some html experience maybe useful in getting more value out of your blog. An
installed solution may require a high level of time and experience to maintain
a webserver.
Content regulation: Blogs are a public tool and a forum
that can be used to express personal viewpoints. It is very important that
teachers and students are aware of copyright issues and netiquette when
expressing their view point on a blog. Potential problems and pitfalls Like
Email and Internet websites, blog is also afflicted by spam; advertising all
types of non educational material through the comments. Most Blogging solutions
provide some features in defending against spamming. Using filters and
restricting the ease of commenting will help to reduce the amount of spam
received. Another issue is inappropriate comments and posts from students. Both
blogging etiquette and comment moderation by the teacher will reduce the impact
of this hazard. It is also good practice to prevent anonymous commenting by
requesting a valid email address to be confirmed prior to commenting.
Scoilnet blogs
A new Scoilnet Blogging service is also being
developed. It will be based on the Wordpress platform, on which edublogs is
also based, and is planned to be offered as a Scoilnet service and hosted on
the Schools Broadband Network. Details of this new service will be sent to
schools interested in expanding into this area.
Examples of Educational
Uses of blogs
Some Irish schools have used blogs to enhance the
learning of their students
French blog called Le Soleil, la lune et les étoiles
created by French class in Loreto St Michaels Navan. In Sept 2008, they won
European Award for Languages - The Language Label
Trace the
progress of a group of transition year students who travel to India to build a
school.
It is a school
blog of a small primary school in Patrickswell Co Galway informing parents,
students and local community of school events and news. This blog has been live
since December 2006
Relevant Web Sites
Will Richardson Blogging resource page
http://supportblogging.com/ Educational+Blogging
Will Richardson, a US English teacher that was an early adaptor to blogs for
use in education. This site contains a comprehensive list of Educational
blogging resources.
Using Blogs to Enhance Learning –
Some Helpful Tips
http://www.openeducation.net/2008/10/10/using-blogs-to-enhance-learning some-help fultips/ Some useful advice on
using blogs in the classroom
Vicki Davis Educational Blog
http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com
Award winning blogger and educator who
also was a co-founder of Women of Web 2.0, which is a website looking at new
Internet tools from a female perspective
