The document provides an overview of a workshop on blogging for advisors. It discusses how blogging has evolved with social media (Web 2.0), and provides tips on starting a blog, making it effective and enhancing it. The workshop agenda includes an introduction to blogging and social software, steps to set up a blog, and advanced customization techniques.

1. Welcome to Blogging for Advisors 27 th April 1-4pm You can prepare by: Attempting to connect your laptop to the wireless network Network Name: Password: Social Software has revolutionised the internet enabling users to become active rather than passive. This practical workshop will provide advisors with a quick overview of social software before launching into an in-depth look at a key tool – blogs . Presentation avaliable at

2. What Do I Blog? Why Blog? *blog vs. emailed nsl Safe Blogging ? *risks/protocols/ security How Do I Get Started? *step-by-step *best software How Do I Blog Effectively? * so people read * operates effectively * is it feasible time –wise ? What you wanted from this session? Advanced Techie Tips *monitoring hits *page elements *using widgets *adding comments *deleting posts *ping new posts

3. Plan of Attack 1:00- 1:20pm The Web Revolution Overview of social software D R A F T * monitoring hits *page elements *using widgets *adding comments *deleting posts *ping new posts 1:20- 3pm Insights into Blogging and Getting Started- Step-by –Step Blogging in a nutshell Why Blog? Tips for effective blogging Tips for safe blogging 3:00 - 4pm Enhancing My Blog

4. Setting Up for Success Establishing a Learning Culture Collaborative – ask questions, share ideas - make sense of new material Helping each other out- Work in pairs Share talking time and ensure everyone participates Cell-phones on silent Sound on computers turned down or off Flexibility Pace ??? What else???

5. By the end of today’s session… Web 2.0 - Know what characterises web 2.0 and how these tools can be used to facilitate constructivist approaches to teaching and learning. Your Own Blog - Have begun creating a purposeful blog for use in your role as an advisor and have the skills and knowledge to continue to grow your blog

6. What’s Changed ? The Digital Landscape Web 1 vs. Web 2.0

7. Web 2.0 … The evolution of the web ( as we once knew it) Social software. Users are active rather than passive Create and publish content. Shared constitution of meaning. Less about places and other nouns more about verbs. The Web What has changed in the last few years?

8. No html knowledge required. Content flows in a variety of directions that depend on the behaviors of those who produce the information and those who use it.

9. Social software supports the desire of individuals to be pulled into groups to achieve goals. Social software enables people to rendezvous, connect or collaborate through computer-mediated communication and to form online communications. Wikipedia

10. Web 2.0 is growing by the day. Mission : Check out the growing list of web 2.0 applications http://www.listible.com/list/complete-list-of-web-2-0-products-and-services Which are familiar to you? How do you use them? Choose one that is new to you and has appeal – professionally or personally. Prepare to share with the group: What it is? Why you like it? How you will make use of it?

11. The e-Life Communicating IM, chat Sharing Blogs, webcams Buying & Selling ebay Exchanging P2P Creating sites, avatars, mods Meeting 3D chat rooms, dating Collecting mp3, video, sensor data Searching Info, connections, people Analyzing SETI, drug molecules Reporting Moblogs, photos Programming Open systems, mods, search Socializing Learning social behavior, influence Growing Up Exploring, transgressing Coordinating Projects, workgroups, MMORPGs Evaluating Reputation systems–Epinions, Amazon, Slashdot Gaming Solo, 1-on-1, small & large groups Learning About stuff that interests them Evolving Peripheral, emergent behaviors © 2006 Marc Prensky Digital Natives

12. Blogging – in a nutshell Why blog? Tips for effective blogging Tips for safe blogging Insights into Blogging In context with setting up our own blog

13. Blogging in a nutshell Example of Web 2.0 Definition from wikipedia :

14. Blogs tend to have a few things in common: User-friendly Share a common format. A main content area with articles listed chronologically, newest at the top An archive of older articles A way for people to leave comments about the articles A list of links to other related sites, sometimes called a “blogroll” One or more “feeds” like RSS … Control of blog is with the person who has set it up

15. Why blog? Creates a learning community feel in a place away from the traditional environment. This learning community is open 24/7. Blogs can give individual learners a voice – shifting the ‘power’ from the instructor to the learner. Blogs provide an authentic audience. An audience of educators, peers and a potential worldwide audience. Blogs allow for multiple feedback loops among the networked parties. Learning via a blog setting is now a social activity. Supports differentiation. The blog gives some of our more verbally reserved individuals a forum for their thoughts. Builds technology skills Provides links to others sites and resources Blogs need to be thoughtfully integrated into your work as an advisor. Simply blogging is not enough- blogs in learning must be driven by a clear purpose. Our kids need role models and guides to teach them socialisation skills to participate in a connected community.

16. I blog to: Record, reflect and share my work Record, reflect and share what I am reading( includes other blogs ) Learn from others and keep up with my area of interest Create my own personal learning network of people and resources Provide a linked archive of categorised resources gathered on my learning journey To connect, to be part of a wider community – my schools, colleagues, network of other bloggers

17. http://rocky11.blogspot.com/ http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=1337 http://www.cihgisborne.blogspot.com/ http://futureofmath.misterteacher.com/classroom_blogs.html http://waikatoforthehealthofit.blogspot.com/ Wikis on Blogs http://supportblogging.com/page/diff/Links+to+School+Bloggers?v=3237908 http://nzedublogs.wikispaces.com/educators+or+teachers+blogs+and+podcasts Examples in Education

18. Making a start with http://www.blogger.com/start THE FASTEST WAY TO UNDERSTAND BLOGGING IS TO TRY IT OUT.

19. 2. Create a post or two 1. Create your blog NB. Make sure your blog name and url is simple and reflects the content of your blog Study the templates carefully. Do they offer the structure you want in your blog? NB. Add a text post then another post with a link to a url and a picture. 3. View your blog http://www.blogger.com/start

20. A Possible Code of Conduct for Bloggers This is a blog that supports your role as a professional. Ensure it reflects this – spelling, grammar, content… 1. Take responsibility for our own words and for the comments we allow on our blog. Sit on postings for a while. 2. Don’t say anything online that you wouldn't say in person. 3. Connect privately before responding publicly. . .

21. NB> Customise by thoughtfully answering the questions in each section. These all relate to the look and feel of your blog and the ability of others to interact with your blog 4. Customise Your Blog The Settings

22. Customising your blog template I believe all blogs should at least have: an archive/ a link list/ a profile Add these elements to your blog by : 1.Selecting the ‘Template’ tab 2. Selecting ‘Add a ‘Page Element’ 3. Selecting ‘Add to Blog’ on the desired element. Completing the required fields NB. The order of ‘Page Elements’ can be changed by dragging and dropping them in the desired area.

23. Customise your blog template 2 1. Edit the Header of your blog to reflect what your blog is about

24. Tips for Effective Blogging Keep it simple Stick to the purpose of your blog Interact with readers Make it worthwhile Build your blog bit by bit Seek expert blogs to assist with posting on your own Try and post at least once a week Make all posts relate to student learning If you mention it hyperlink it Write and then cut in half Use Pictures Get the stats back

25. Enhancing your blog Set up an online file storage system – esnips h ttp://esnips.com/signin/index.jsp Set up a hit counter htt p://www.bravenet.com/ Make your blog RSS capable Create a 3D ID www.meez.com Get your head around the concept of widgets

26. Please post some feedback on skrlb How was the course of assistance to you? What further support/ info. would have been useful? What benefits may permeate for those that your work with? Best bits?? The Not So Good Bits ?? http://www.skrbl.com/41482401