This document defines blogs and discusses their use for educators. It explains that blogs are frequently updated websites that link to other web content and allow comments. The document provides examples of blogs for libraries, candidates, and education. It outlines different ways to create a blog on the web, one's own computer, or server. The document also discusses how blogs can be used in education and provides tips for setting up and reading blogs.

1. Blogs for EducatorsBlogs for Educators
Karen Work RichardsonKaren Work Richardson
April 4, 2004April 4, 2004
http://www.ivyrun.comhttp://www.ivyrun.com
karen@ivyrun.comkaren@ivyrun.com

2. Defining WeblogsDefining Weblogs
 ““Weblogs are often-updated sites thatWeblogs are often-updated sites that
point to articles elsewhere on the web,point to articles elsewhere on the web,
often with comments, and to on-siteoften with comments, and to on-site
articles. A weblog is kind of a continualarticles. A weblog is kind of a continual
tour, with a human guide who you get totour, with a human guide who you get to
know. “ Dave Winer,know. “ Dave Winer, The Scripting NewsThe Scripting News
 Personal Web Publishing CommunitiesPersonal Web Publishing Communities

3. ExamplesExamples
 Libraries:Libraries: http://www.rcpl.info/services/liblog.htmlhttp://www.rcpl.info/services/liblog.html
 Candidates:Candidates: http://www.blogforamerica.com/http://www.blogforamerica.com/
 Andy Carvin:Andy Carvin: http://edwebproject.org/andy/blog/http://edwebproject.org/andy/blog/
 Iceblog:Iceblog: http://iceblog.puddingbowl.org/http://iceblog.puddingbowl.org/
 Education:Education: http://www.weblogg-ed.com/http://www.weblogg-ed.com/
 Need more? Check out Yahoo’s directoryNeed more? Check out Yahoo’s directory

4. Why Weblogs?Why Weblogs?
 Solve a variety of web publishingSolve a variety of web publishing
problemsproblems
 No need to learn html, ftp, etc.No need to learn html, ftp, etc.
 Ability to publish anywhere, anytimeAbility to publish anywhere, anytime
 Offer potential for collaborationOffer potential for collaboration
 Free tools are availableFree tools are available
 Different from a regular webpage or aDifferent from a regular webpage or a
discussion forumdiscussion forum

5. Three Ways to BlogThree Ways to Blog
On the Web:On the Web:
 Live Journal:Live Journal: http://http://www.livejournal.comwww.livejournal.com//
 Blogger:Blogger: http://www.blogger.comhttp://www.blogger.com
 SchoolBlogs:SchoolBlogs: http://http://www.schoolblogs.comwww.schoolblogs.com//
On your own Computer:On your own Computer:
 UserLand:UserLand: http://http://radio.userland.comradio.userland.com
On your own Server:On your own Server:
 Manila:Manila: http://manila.userland.com/http://manila.userland.com/
 Movable Type:Movable Type: http://www.movabletype.org/http://www.movabletype.org/
Need more?Need more?
 Weblogs CompendiumWeblogs Compendium


6. Using Blogs in EducationUsing Blogs in Education
 General InformationGeneral Information
 Webtools Newsletter
 Weblogs: Personal eLearning Space (pdf)
 School WebsitesSchool Websites
 Portland Public SchoolsPortland Public Schools
 Goochland CountyGoochland County
 Teacher WebsitesTeacher Websites
 Ms. Jackson at Goochland HSMs. Jackson at Goochland HS
 Music Site at De Anza CollegeMusic Site at De Anza College
 Student WebsitesStudent Websites
 British School of AmsterdamBritish School of Amsterdam
 The Secret Life of BeesThe Secret Life of Bees

7. Setting Up a BlogSetting Up a Blog
 Which service are you going to use?Which service are you going to use?
 Where will you host it?Where will you host it?
 Most online sites offer hosting spaceMost online sites offer hosting space
 http://http://vcol.blogspot.comvcol.blogspot.com
 You can use your own hosting space, too.You can use your own hosting space, too.
 http://www.ivyrun.com/simplyk/blog/simplyk.htmlhttp://www.ivyrun.com/simplyk/blog/simplyk.html
 What are you going to do with it?What are you going to do with it?

8. Reading BlogsReading Blogs
 BlogrollingBlogrolling
 RSS, Atom, Newsfeeds, Aggregators,RSS, Atom, Newsfeeds, Aggregators,
Syndication, XMLSyndication, XML
 Here’s a good introductionHere’s a good introduction
 Online:Online:
 Bloglines:Bloglines: http://http://www.bloglines.comwww.bloglines.com
 Yahoo DirectoryYahoo Directory
 Open Directory ListingOpen Directory Listing