Blog wars 2

Blog Wars Volume 2
TESOL Greece Workshop
by Christina Markoulaki

30 March 2013

1

Wednesday, April 3, 13

Is this the war we are talking about?
2


Is this a ‘war’
at all?
Image from TED 2013 quotables

3


Think before you do.

What is actually a blog?
What can you do with it?

4


Video time!

We have interviewed some of our student
bloggers about the reasons why they like
learning English in this way. At the
beginning of the video, two junior
presenters explain what a 'blog' actually
is, followed by more learners of various
ages and levels.

5


Simple maths!

weB + LOG
= BLOG =
an online
diary

Image from www.edudemic.com
6


Let’s start blogging!

Sign into your
blog by visiting
www.blogger.com

7


The dashboard

8


How to make adjustments

9


Adjusting the layout

10


Adjust
header and
description

11


Gadgets
Add the
basic
gadgets
(blog roll,
link list,
blogger
profile,
HTML)
12


Adjusting the settings
What to
tend to:
comment
moderation,
time, date
format,
language,
number of
posts on
home page
13


Comment moderation

14


View blog

15


What can teachers do on
their blogs?

Encourage reading literature
Promote world issues (poverty, intolerance,
hunger, education)
Celebrate world days (Mother’s Day,
Women’s day, Ebooks week, Black
History Month)

16


Write a new post!

17


Embed
related
material
(slideshows,
documents,
videos)

18


Embed HTML code

19


Have students
write comments

Comments on
ASK ALAIN DE
BOTTON A
QUESTION!

20


Time for a class blog!

21


The set-up

Set up a
blog for
each
class.

Perfect
for exam
classes.

22


Students as blog authors
Help students create or use their own gmail accounts
Go to basic settings and invite them to participate in
the class blog as authors, not administrators

23


The set-up
Have them note down the email and
password of their Google account and keep
a record yourself.
Choose limited Blogger profiles instead of
Google+ ones. Students will blog with
this identity.
Demonstrate the basic functions of a blog.

24


General organization
Traditional Appearance (better not a dynamic view)
A short description under the header with the level of the
class, the purpose of the blog and a link to the school blog
Gadgets: labels, useful link lists, page views, blog traffic
Comment moderation before they appear under posts

One blog for each level: usually D'/ E' Class, B2, C2,
TOEFL, IELTS (link and material organization)

25


Promotion
'Advertise' their blog on social media for
increased satisfaction (motivation) with
the number of visitors from foreign
countries (example here)
Add #comments4kids to your tweets to
enhance class blog traffic and comments
left

26


Encouragement

27


What can be assigned
What would you assign as a blog activity to
your students?
See the samples of our students' work in the
following slides.
Then visit this page on Slideshare.

28


Assessment
Direct corrections within the post,
underlining the mistake and writing the
correct phrase in bold (Blogsy iPad app)

29


Assessment
Teachers' comments under students' posts -> corrections
continuing the discussion in a way that includes students'
mistakes
Teacher sends private emails with corrections -> Students'
correct the blog post themselves.
Including blogging performance in assessment
(alternative assessment) --> willingness and participation
commented on in the school report to highlight the
seriousness of the practice

30


SAMPLES OF OUR STUDENTS' WORK ON
BLOGS AND RESULTING BENEFITS

31


Demonstration of class work, resulting in getting a
sense of achievement: The FCE (B2- level) students
(school year 2011- 2012) had been blogging for years
before acquiring their certificate, having an array of
written work to exhibit on their class blog and feeling
very satisfied with the 40,000 visitors from all
around the world! What is more, an adept mother-
blogger methodically copies her written assignments
on her e-portfolio.

32


Creativity through the combination of different
kinds of media: B1-level students were proud to
present their favourite recipes, horror films and
songs, photos or videos of which were embedded
in their blog and combined with written
comments. Little George was also impressed by
Felix's supersonic dive; he therefore decided to
blog about it!

33


Additional help provided at home and
possibilities for self-correction: This excellent
blogger has corrected his piece of writing on his
own, following the advice offered by his teacher
in the comment section. Moreover, the CPE
learners create their vocabulary calendars
exclusively online and receive feedback in a
respective way.

34


Motivation to do more work at home (a type of
creative e-homework):
For example, reading a book and writing a
review or creating a list of songs with useful
vocabulary.

35


Further research on topics discussed in class:
The resourceful female authors of this blog have
discovered more information about various
extraordinary tourist destinations mentioned
in the lesson.

36


Written communication with readers, learning
how to respond politely to comments: The
aforementioned girls interact with their
followers with ease, leaving written comments
under each post. What is even more interesting
is the way little Nicolas communicated with
Michael Stout, both of whom can now officially
be called e-pals!
37


Collection of all helpful links in one place easily
accessible by the student: The future IELTS candidates
of the school link webpages containing tips, strategies
and downloadable material to a blog destined to fulfill
that purpose. The same happens with TOEFL
candidates who, like the IELTS ones, cherished the idea
of having their essays corrected on the blog so as to be
able to see the teacher's feedback on their classmates'
writing, too. Quick typing skills are also a prerequisite
for TOEFL exams, this being one more reason why
blogging has been so beneficial to these students.
38


A !novel type of communication among
classmates: Nicolas and George, two of our
youngest bloggers, have already achieved that.
See Nikolas' letter and George's response.

39


Participation in blogging challenges to practise
writing and broaden horizons.
Students continue practicing English even
after completing the desired course, a case of
lifelong learning: George, a former student and
a professional seaman, keeps updating his blog
by publishing videos and texts about his
travels.

40


Related Links
Guest posts for the Teaching Village:
How to Integrate Blogging in EFL
Teaching
How to Create Video Activities on a
Teacher’s Blog
Meeting Challenges in the EFL Classroom
Part 2: Using Technology
41


Related Links

Our students' blogs
Samples of student blogging and teacher-
created activities:
On my blog
On my wiki

42


Related Links

Blogging tips
Can the use of blogs and wikis enhance
motivation?
Organizing blogging challenges

43


What a feeling!
My best classroom experience began about
two years ago. It was when I decided to use a
computer to practise English. I thoroughly
enjoyed my time in the computer lab and
learnt a great deal. I felt like a little child who
takes a gift and everything was very
interesting for me.But, honestly,what I felt is
nothing compared to how I feel now!
Alice's adventures in the land of learning English
44


Thank you!

Find me on Facebook, Google+,
Twitter, LinkedIn & SlideShare
45


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