This document provides information about using blogs in the classroom and professionally. It discusses the purposes of blogs, such as sharing ideas and information with others. It outlines three goals for classroom blogging: distribution of information, facilitating discussion, and demonstrating student learning. The document also compares using one class blog versus individual blogs for students and provides ideas for student blog posts. Finally, it demonstrates how to set up and customize blogs using the Blogger platform.

1. Blogging in your Classroom and
Professionally with
SummIT XI - March 1st, 2014
Tanya Alvarez @alvareztany
Maria Ciampa @MrsCiampa

2. Purpose of a Blog
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share ideas
share info with others
allow others to reply to you
keep parents up to date with learning goals
documentation and assessment of learning (labels)

3. 3 Goals for the Classroom Blog
Distribution: give info to parents & students (e.g., due date) At this stage
there is no discussion
Discussion: teachers post prompts, Ss reply under comment, Ss are
reflecting, great for Ss who are shy
Demonstration: Ss are authors on class blog or their own, digital portfolios
demonstrating their learning, other students can view & learn from them,
everyone can view

4. 1 Blog or 1 for Each Student
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If you are just using it to give info, 1 class blog is sufficient (e.g., class
goals)
Keeping track for 26 blogs might be challenging
Ss can maintain their own blogs (digital portfolios)
Make each student an author on class blog this way you will be able to
see who wrote what
Ss author will not help parents see their child`s
learning

5. Ideas for Ss Post
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Reflections (What did I learn What do I want to learn
Audio (field trip, presentations)
Video (embed or add link)
Collaborate with another class
Blog Buddies (comment on younger students blogs, help with math)

6. New to
??
Blogger great for:
-super easy to use
-ideal for teachers new to the Blogging platform
-can sign up and start blogging in minutes
Blogger no so great for:
-creating individual e-portfolios for your students
Solution:
-Blogger great for a class/professional Blog.
-Use another platform for e-portfolios and or individual tracking of student blogging

7. Features on
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Google free blogging platform
various themes & templates to choose from
customize your layout-drag & drop
can add authors to your blog
there is an app
no customer service support (discussion board only, YouTube videos)
gmail, top menu, more drop down menu, blogger, add Twitter feed
up to 100 blogs on 1 account

8. Blogging Tips
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Careful with copyrights (pictures, music)
Are you committed?
Set a purpose and don’t over commit
Perseverance (1 person will read will tell someone else…)
Find ways for the blog to be successful (e.g.,
allowing students to comment on posts)

9. Using
in the Classroom
Mrs. Ciampa’s Grade 2 Class Blog
http://mrsciampagrade2.blogspot.ca/

10. Using
Professionally
Tanya Alvarez Professional Blog
http://passionforlearningandteaching.blogspot.ca/

11. Vocab to Know
Theme: look of the blog (colour)
Template: layout of your blog (1,2,3 columns)
Label: key idea in a post, easier to find a post later
Layout: add, remove, edit or rearrange gadgets on your blog
Embed Code: a code that allows you to display a video on your blog
Google+: automatically share your blog posts to your Google+ profile
Widget (gadget): little application that allows you to insert a game, calendar, a twitter feed)
Post: entry on your blog
Page: like tabs on specific info (e.g., curriculum, calendar)
Comment: left by your visitors (allow, moderate comments,)

12. How to Create a Blog on
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log in to your google account
select blogger from your menu/app
set your profile
create new blog
title your blog
choose URL
select your template
create a post
create another post & insert a video
create pages
comment settings
adding authors (setting, basic, add authors)
adding readers: restrict access only to those you invite (setting, basic, add readers)
advance options in templates (color, font)
gadgets (google+, pinterest, scoop it)

13. Add a
Feed to your
Do you have a Twitter account
and want to include a link?
Follow this website. It walks
you through step by step how
to include a Twitter feed into
your Blogger feed!
http://tsbray.blogspot.ca/2013/03/twitter-feed-on-blogger.html

14. Links to Resources
Blogger Widgets
Blog Designs
Blogger Tips
Blogger Tutorials
Add a Twitter Widget

15. Any Questions?
Don’t hesitate to contact us it will be our pleasure to
help you out! Happy Blogging!

16. Thank You!!
Tanya Alvarez @alvareztany
Maria Ciampa @MrsCiampa