1) The document discusses how to use blogs in the classroom, including how students can read, comment on, and engage with classroom blogs. 2) It provides directions for finding the most recent post on a blog, leaving a comment, and using features like Vokis, puppies, and links to engage students. 3) The document suggests potential ways blogs could be used, such as having students post assignments or answer questions, and concludes by advertising an afterschool workshop for creating classroom blogs.

1. Using a Blog in the Classroom By Mary Meloni USD 259/Kelly Liberal Arts Academy January 18, 2010

2. Reading a Blog Go to the following blog on your computer: http://mrsmeloni.blogspot.com While there, look around and experiment. Come up with at least 1 question for me.

3. Finding Things on a Blog Find the most recent post. How did you know it was the most recent? Tuesday, January 12, 2010 You know because it has the most recent date in the heading.

4. Comment on a Blog Does the most recent post have a comment? Click on the hyperlink “comment” right under the post and read the comment. Now you make a comment. Follow the rules on the next few slides.

5. Comments Press the comment hyperlink. Leave your comment on the right side of the page. You can sign your name here, but if you have a district computer, it will probably say who it is from anyway. Next…..

6. Step 2 of Leaving a Comment I like to choose “Name/URL” for my students from the choices listed. I have the students leave their name and their partner’s name if they are working together. Only first names of students are used. (Note: Some parents may not want student names used, so have them make up a nickname that they will use consistently in your class.

7. Step 3 Last you may be asked to type in some symbols/letters. Do this. Finally, push “publish the comment”. You will not see it until it goes to my email and I approve of what you say since this is for the public.

8. Turn to your shoulder buddy and discuss how you could use posts in your classroom. What could you post? How could the students answer? What are the advantages of using this over pencil and paper?

9. Getting Your Students Interested Check out the Voki at the bottom of the blog. Your students will teach you how to do this! Create a Voki by clicking on the box with Voki in it. It will take you to a page that will allow you to create and publish your voki avatar and email it to a friend without registering or signing in.

10. Other Ways to Engage Students Check out the Puppy of the Day! Each day the puppy will be new. Think with your shoulder buddy of ways to integrate this into your reading curriculum. The interest level is very high and it changes automatically! Come up with one way to use it in your classroom.

11. Check Out Who’s Visiting Us Hover over each star to see where the visitors come from. Think of two ways you could use this information to motivate your students. Think of a way to increase visitation of your students’ work. Share with your shoulder buddy.

12. Educational Links Visit the links listed under “Math Combinations Solver” and under “Check Out These Sites”. Make a list of sites that you like that you could put into your blog.

13. Are you ready to create your own blog?Sign up for an afterschool workshop where you will be guided in creating your very own blog. The workshop will last from 4:15 to 6:15 with refreshments provided. All you need to bring is your laptop. How many ways can you justify a blog’s use to parents?