Blogging

A blog is a web site A blog is static A blog is sequential A blog is linear
 * TRUE OR FALSE?**

Will Richardson wrote the following on his blog on March 31, 2004:

//"Writing stops, blogging continues. Writing is inside, blogging is outside. Writing is monologue, blogging is conversation. Writing is thesis, blogging is synthesis...none of which minimizes the importance of writing. But it's becoming more clear just what the importance of blogging might be." []//

Blogging is READING, WRITING, THINKING, PROCESSING, ANALYISING, RESPONDING, CREATING, SEARCHING, CONNECTING, and LINKING! [|Web 2.0 The machine is Using/Us Video]This video demonstrates the onset and importance of Web 2.0 technologies [|Blogging in Plain English Video]This video explains what blogging is and it's essential use. [|Support Educational Blogging!]A wiki all about educational blogging

How can we use blogs?

 * add to a body of knowledge
 * improve literacy
 * build community
 * expand walls of the classroom
 * encourage critical thinking
 * communicate across distances
 * inform others
 * student interaction
 * build awareness
 * professional collaboration
 * inform partents through teacher's voice
 * give students a voice - create authors
 * public relations
 * student practice
 * technology support
 * newsletter

Using Images on Blogs
In the classroom educators may use many image and media resources under the "fair use" policy. However, when we post images online we are using them in a public space and are no longer protected by fair use. Be mindful of where you take images from to use online. Not only is important to not abuse the creator's rights, but careful media use models online ethics for our students. Here are some tips for using images online: Here is a list of web sites to get you started.
 * 1) Use images from sites that specifically state they are for educational use
 * 2) Use images from .gov web sites (federal resources are in the public domain)
 * 3) Use images and resources that are in the [|public domain]
 * 4) Always read the usage policy when reviewing a site - follow it.
 * 5) Become familiar with [|Creative Commons] - a new way people are making their resources available to others.
 * 6) Take your own photos and/or create your own images
 * 7) Ask for permission before use if you are unsure

What is RSS?
RSS stands for Real Simple Syndication. This technology allows you to have "news feeds" from other web sites (including blogs) sent to you - instead of you having to go to them. RSS allows you to go to one site, called an aggregater, to read your feeds instead of having to go to multiple sites to see what is new.

Blogs, like many sites these days, provide special code (XML) that allows you to subscribe to a feed. Subscribing to a feed is as simple as clicking a link and then copying and pasting that link's address. The link to the RSS feed may say "RSS" or "XML". Sometimes it will be the RSS icon. Look for one of these icons, or something similar to them.
 * RSS and Blogs**

Blog Examples
[|Weblogg-ed]Will Richardson is a leader in educational technology and author of "Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms" [|Blogs on Education Blogging]A LONG list of Educational Blogs provided by Will Richardson [|Open Book (FALMOUTH DISTRICT)]by Kathy Botelho [|Mrs. Karl's Science Class (FALMOUTH DISTRICT)]By Kristina Karl [|Morse Pond School * Room 206 (FALMOUTH DISTRICT)]By Donna Terra [|Ms. Mae and Ms. Grunin's KinderBlog (FALMOUTH DISTRICT)]By Sara Mae Varvaro and Elissa Grunin [|Bud the Teacher]A rich teaching blog about everything education and technology. [|EduBlog Insights]By Anne Davis, a leader in educational blogging