This document discusses different types of educational blogs (edublogs). It explains that blogs can be used to place lessons online, expand student access to materials, and enhance classroom interaction. Some key types of edublogs mentioned are tutor blogs, which provide class information, class blogs for discussion, learner blogs as a writing portfolio, and reflective teacher blogs. Blogs offer advantages over discussion boards like easier linking and potential for public involvement outside the classroom.

1. An Introduction to L2 Blogging [email_address] http://otagoblogging.blogspot.com/

2. What is a blog? Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on photographs (photoblog), videos (vlog), music (MP3 blog), audio (podcasting). As of September 2007, blog search engine Technorati was tracking more than 106 million blogs. Souce: wikipedia

3. Weblogs can be used to create a website share and collaborate connect with others and make connections to learning

4. Why edublogging? To place lessons, assignments, and announcements online. To expand students’ access to relevant materials by incorporating links. To enhance class interaction through online discussions. To facilitate idea sharing.

5. Blogs vs. Discussion Boards Learners can start their blogs Blogs are easy to link to other websites Some blogs have search engines/archive Can be made public and involve people from outside the classroom

6. Types of edublogs The Tutor Blog The Class Blog The Learner Blog Reflective Teacher Blog

7. The Tutor Blog Provides class or syllabus information Lists class-related information such as calendars, events, homework assignments Gives daily reading practice to the learners Serves as a resource of links for self-study Encourages questions and comment from learners by use of comments

8. The Class Blog Writing prompts Post short current events/ articles to invite students thoughts, reactions and possible solutions Link to other blogs or videoclips for discussion Post photos and ask students to create captions Post quotes and have students write their interpretation and apply it to something in their life Create a literature circle/ online book club (or any other special interest club)

9. The Class Blog Interaction Everybody in class can initiate discussion through posts and participate by writing comments (class topics, organisational issues, reflections on learning) People from without the class can be invited to join blog Mystery Guest

10. The Class Blog Learner contributions invite one student a day to post a summary and reflections on the day's learning enable students to post their ideas for the class group tasks project-based learning complete a webquest

11. The Learner Blog Space for class writing assignments Creates a portfolio of samples of their writing Individual learner journals for writing practice write comments, opinions, or questions on daily news items or issues of interest discuss activities they did in class and tell what they think about them write about class topics, newly-learned vocabulary words and idioms

12. Reflective Teacher Blog To share ideas for teaching activities to use in the classroom To explore important teaching and learning issues To make reflections on each teaching day To keep a record of a new teaching project with what worked and what didn't To provide tips for beginning teachers To produce how-to's on using specific technology programs in the curriculum