A PowerPoint presentation by Eoghan Evesson dicussing his use of a Blog for the teaching of English in an Irish Seconary School.

1. „A Year of Blogging‟
Eoghan Evesson @NewEnglishBlog

2. Topics
- What is a Blog?
- Why start blogging?
- How to start blogging.
- Apps and software to integrate
into blogging and the teaching of
English.

3. Section I

4. What is a Blog?
Some definitions from @ProBlogger
„A weblog is a hierarchy of text, images, media objects and data,
arranged chronologically, that can be viewed in an HTML browser.‟
„A frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web
links.‟
„From “Web log.” A blog is basically a journal that is available on the
web. The activity of updating a blog is “blogging” and someone who
keeps a blog is a “blogger.”„
„A weblog is kind of a continual tour, with a human guide who you
get to know. There are many guides to choose from, each develops
an audience, and there‟s also camaraderie and politics between the
people who run weblogs, they point to each other, in all kinds of
structures, graphs, loops, etc.

5. „A blog is basically a journal that is
available on the web. The activity of
updating a blog is “blogging” and
someone who keeps a blog is a
“blogger.” Blogs are typically updated
daily using software that allows people
with little or no technical background
to update and maintain the blog.
Postings on a blog are almost always
arranged in chronological order with
the most recent additions featured
most prominently.‟

6. Eoghan Evesson
@NewEnglishBlog
A Blog is like a digital archive. It is
a way to make ideas and content
digital for the purpose of logging,
sharing and improving the
idea/content.

8. Why start blogging?
Interest C.P.D.
- technology - 7 years teaching
- audio/visual - best practice
- ideas and inspiration
- share work/feedback
Productivity
- better processes
- pupils
- myself (teacher)
- archive

9. How to start blogging
1. Want to start!
It’s like taking on a hobby that you are never really going
to give up, especially if you start a Blog for your school. If
you plan on starting a personal or teacher Blog there is
certainly less pressure. You own all the work. If you decide
to pack up and close it down overnight that’s your
prerogative. If you start a department or school Blog it
becomes part of the makeup of the department. Archived
work, examples and experiences will have to be maintained.
Want to start. Have at least one person you can share and
console with about all matters Blogging!

10. How to start blogging
2. Virtual Personality
- What is the name of your Blog? Is it personal or
departmental ? Whether it is a personal or departmental
Blog I would suggest it is best to think of the Blog as
something that is once removed from you personally. It’s
certainly part of a healthy work/life balance. When I’m
Blogging I’m Blogging. When I’m me, I’m me.
- You will need a new e-mail address. I would highly
recommend setting up a Gmail account. It can really help
with sharing documents further down the line.
- Pick an email address that bears at least a resemblance to
your Blog.

11. Nota bene
- Password and Username → Have a
username and try to stick with it. You
will be joining multiple sites and
apps. Having the same username is
very helpful. Have a ‘password
system’. You obviously shouldn’t use
the same password for every site. I use
a mix of 4/5.

12. How to start blogging
3.Pick a Blog provider
There are many many free Blogging providers. In my
opinion, you should choose either:
Wordpress.com -
Blogger -

13. Wordpress.com
This video might be all you need from today…

14. Blogger

15. English Teacher Blogs (Ireland)
Courtesy of @evelynoconnor
http://leavingcertenglish.net
www.sccenglish.ie
http://dgsenglishdept.blogspot.com/
http://meighan.edublogs.org/
http://6thyearenglish.tumblr.com/archive
www.juliecullen.weebly.com/english-class-blog
http://www.cbcenglishdep.blogspot.com/
http://collegebookclub.weebly.com/index.html
http://newenglishirl.blogspot.com/
http://calasanctiusenglish.blogspot.ie/
http://bccnsenglish.com/about/sylvia-plath/
http://5j2012msgreville.wordpress.com/category/english-
education/
www.stmarysenglish13.blogspot.ie
www.stmichaelsenglishdept.tumblr.com
http://ienglish.ie/
http://pclm.weebly.com

16. Section II

17. Edmodo
Available: (Online/Multiple OS)
- Class organiser
- Keep results
- Collect assignments
- Embed videos
- Give badges
- Post links

18. Twitter
- Sharing
- C.P.D.
- Links
- Resources
#edchatie

19. YouTube
- Resources
- Upload Learn
- Embed Code Create
- YouTube EDU Teach
YouTube for Schools

20. Google Docs
Keep large Documents off your Blog
I mainly use it for creating an http address for my documents.
When I upload document to Google Docs I can then use that
address to create a hyperlink on my Blog. You can also set
preferences about whether that document can be shared or
downloaded.
Google Docs does have so many more applications though.
See Edudemic.com and 50 Little Known Uses for Google
Docs for 49 more!

21. Skitch (Available: Multiple OS)
- Projects
- Digital
- Literacy
- Classwork
- Creative

22. Issuu (Available: Online)
- You Publish!
- Embed code
- Project Work
- Revision
- Collaborative

23. Slideshare (Available: Online)
- Easy way to publish
Power Points on your
Blog
- Embed code
- Project Work
- Revision
- Photography
- Collaborative

24. Audacity and/or Buzzsprout
Audacity
Audacity is a great way to record audio. It is free to download.
It has great features for layering multiple sounds if you are
feeling brave!
Buzzsprout
Once I have recorded on Audacity I publish the track on
Buzzsprout. It‟s not difficult. Once you have finished recording
on Audacity save the sound file. Then when you are in
Buzzsprout find the file and publish it. This will then give you
a nice embedding code for your Blog/Edmodo.

25. Popplet (Available: iPad/Online)
- Mind Maps
- Brainstorms
- Revision
- Testing
- Long-term
homework

26. ShowMe (Available: iPad/Online)
- Audio/Visual
- Poetry
- Drama
- Film
- Media
Studies
- Analysis

27. Book Creator App (Available:iPad/iPublisher)
- Book
publishing for
iPad
-Use pictures,
audio and
video
- Revision tool
- Class book
- Create new
content

28. Questions!?
And/or
Thank You!