This document discusses using blogs to improve student writing skills through collaboration. It provides guidance on setting up student blogs, including needing parental permission and internet access, establishing rules for posting and commenting, and managing the blogs. The document also outlines the anatomy of a blog, such as posts, widgets, and comment areas. It stresses that the teacher needs to know students' usernames and passwords and defines expectations for student writing and commenting through a rubric.

1. Blogging to Better Writing
Improving Writing Skills and Fostering Collaboration with Web 2.0 Tools
Rosalind M. Hardin, Teacher
The Potter’s House Christian Academy
Middle School Language Arts & Media Specialist

2. • Blog is short for “weblog”
• Online journal
• Interactive
• Communication tool
• Collaboration facilitator
• A place to develop writing skills
What is a Blog?

3. • Internet access
• Parental permission
• Alternative assignments
• Online safety guidelines/training
• A blogging platform
• A rubric
What Do I Need to Blog?

4. • Internet access
• Searchable vs. private sites
• Comment settings
What Access is Involved?

5. • Static home page
• Posts
• Widgets
• Categories
• Tags
• Comment area
Anatomy of a Writer’s Blog

6. • The teacher must know everyone’s user name and
password at all times. No exceptions!
• Composing
• Post original student work
• Cite sources when applicable
• Comments
• No empty comments
• Stick to the issues! Constructive encouragement, not
conversations
What are the Rules?

7. • Learning Management Systems
• Feed manager ( example: Netvibes)
• Teacher site
• Teacher should always know students’ usernames and
passwords
• Option – Create student blog framework ahead of time
• Limit creativity (bells and whistles) initially to avoid increasing
the chance that the actual assignment will not get done
• Define infractions and consequences before beginning class
blogs
Managing the Blogosphere

8. • Hmmmmm…
• Your work is housed on someone else’s server.
• You are subject to their tech support limitations.
• You can only access your blog while connected to the Internet.
• Solutions
• Periodically print your work (to PDF to save paper).
• Test the site in different browsers to find which one cooperates
the most.
• Keep an open mind. Part of the fun is exploring with the
students and learning.
Things To Consider When Using Web 2.0
Tools

9. • What do we blog about?
• Writing prompts
• Journal entries go digital
• Work in progress option
• Paper first option
• Categories
Let’s Get to the Writing Already!!

10. • Two-fold rubric
• Define mastery at each level
• Clearly state expectations for writers and
commenters
Scoring Big

11. • Create the main class blog.
• Set the parameters for the class blog and student blogs.
• Assign usernames and passwords for the students.
• Familiarize the students with the blogging interface:
• Discuss online safety.
• Discuss blogging rules and consequences.
• Demonstrate customizations and allow time for the students
to enhance their blogs.
• Have students create an Introduction post to practice posting
and giving/receiving comments.
• Write, read, comment, grow!
How do I set up blogging for my students?

12. • Kidblog – http://kidblog.org/home
• Weebly for Education - http://education.weebly.com/
• http://education.weebly.com (teachers)
http://students.weebly.com (student login page)
• Weebly Help Center - http://hc.weebly.com/hc/en-us
• Wordpress - https://wordpress.com/
• Online Learning Guide - https://learn.wordpress.com/
• Netvibes - http://netvibes.com
• Setting up Netvibes for your class -
http://www.thethinkingstick.com/netvibes-com-in-the-
classroom/
• Sample Netvibes Dashboard -
http://www.netvibes.com/classroom234#Grade_2
Blogging Resources