A blog’s not just for Christmas! or ….using blogs to enhance year-round teaching and learning Val Vannet , High School of Dundee SAGT Conference 2007

The what, what for and why? A weblog or blog consists of entries or posts arranged in reverse chronological order. Entries usually have text with links to other websites though photos, audio and video may also be included. Many blogs are interactive as readers may leave comments Blog noun (short for Weblog) 1999 : a website that contains an on-line personal journal with reflections, comments ,images and hyperlinks provided by the writer Many blogs focus on specialist subject areas. Others are more personal. Some people use them as a means of sharing family events with friends and relatives….. Christmas?!

Everybody’s doing it! Blog eat blog?

Raining cats and blogs……..

so… many people get a blog, love it briefly, then abandon it!

Since May 2006 over 20,000,000 new blogs have been created. About 10,000,000 have since been ‘abandoned’ and of the rest only around 1,100,000 are updated regularly. I write just four of those…….. www.gmpay.blogspot.com

www.hsdiceland.blogspot.com

www.highergeogblog.blogspot.com

www.geobloggingwithmark.blogspot.com

The benefits of having a blog.. Enhancing Learning and Teaching Follow up information from lessons Communicate when students are ‘away’ Encourage further research Create a link with home and parents Set homework on-line Create a link with home and parents “… it gets you out talking” Post reminders e.g. dates Link to and network with other schools The benefits of having a blog..

Learning is active and interactive There is a shift of focus from teacher to student Teachers engage in dialogue with students Knowledge is dynamic, and changes with our experiences The process of learning is as important as the product Students are encouraged to consult primary sources Students are encouraged to collaborate with others : i.e. ‘social constructivism’ Links with ‘Constructivist’ methodologies.. Knowledge is ‘created’ through an active process by the learner. Some features are that….. There are some who would say that education has gone to the blogs……

Learning is active and interactive

There is a shift of focus from teacher to student

Teachers engage in dialogue with students

Knowledge is dynamic, and changes with our experiences

The process of learning is as important as the product

Students are encouraged to consult primary sources

Students are encouraged to collaborate with others : i.e. ‘social constructivism’

Choosing a blog host…. ‘ Beginner’ bloggers will probably wish to use a service which requires no software installation …. there are plenty to choose from but among the most popular are: http://www.blogger.com http://www.typepad.com http://wordpress.com http://www.xanga.com http://www.livejournal.com Every blog has its way…..

Start blogging Here is a good beginner’s guide to starting a Blogger blog. Download from : http://www.4shared.com/file/12833499/1c9e6fa0/A_guide_to_setting_up_a_weblog.html Thanks, John!

No point in having a blog and barking yourself! … and a similar, excellent guide for beginners to WordPress blogging courtesy of Rob Chambers which you can download from this page http://igeog.wordpress.com/ict-trainingst-ivo/blogs-and-wikis Thanks, Rob!

Adding ‘widgets’ to your sidebar.. or….. teaching an old blog new tricks http://clustrmaps.com http://www.clocklink.com http://www.amazingcounters.com http://www.free-blog-content.com http://weatherpixie.com http://www.digitalpoint.com/tools/geovisitor

Adding variety to your posts.. Add slideshows with : http://www.slideshare.net http:// www.slide.com Embed video from: http://www.youtube.com http://video.google.co.uk Use polling software to ask questions : http://www.vizu.com Add podcasts : http:// www.podcastingnews.com/articles/Make_Podcast_Blogger.html Link to uploaded files with http://www.4shared.com , http://www.electronicfiles.net or http://box.net

Exploring the geoedublogosphere..! “ Gone to the blogs……” http://www.weblogg-ed.com http:// edu.blogs.com http:// www.olliebray.com http:// www.geographypages.co.uk/blogs.htm http:// www.fordlog.com http:// geographyjazz.blogspot.com http:// kespilotgeography.blogspot.com http:// pilotgcseradicalgeography.co.uk http:// www.daviderogers.blogspot.com http:// www.geobytesgcse.blogspot.com http:// geoganimations.blogspot.com http:// geographyalltheway.com/WordPress http:// www.geogtastic.blogspot.com http:// noeljenkins.wordpress.com http:// geodonn.blogspot.com http:// geogblogbushloe.blogspot.com http://www.games4geog.com http:// www.gearthblog.com

http://ablogsnotjustforchristmas.blogspot.com This presentation and its associated links and resources can be found at : http://ablogsnotjustforchristmas.blogspot.com Feel free to add comments to the blog. It would be good to hear from you!

Not tonight,dear …I’m blogging … a case of love me, love my blog?! And finally… a word of caution.. Blogging can be compulsive and addictive…