blogging

What is a blog? (this is a blog!)

• blog is short for a web log or diary consisting of posts
  
• it is linear - the most recent post is at the top of the page
  
• older posts are archived usually monthly and are easily accessed
  
• the posts can have tags or labels for easy searching
  
• it is interactive - readers can comment on the posts
  
• it is easy to create from customisable templates - no knowledge of HTML needed
  

Features of blogs in general

• easy to use, attractive, colourful
  
• immediate update
  
• enable communication across the world
  
• private or public
  
• can upload other files eg photos, audio
  
• can embed widgets and other tools like voki
  
• can have links to other sites
  
• tags for easy searching
  
• record of all previous posts in archive
  
• can be translated into other languages
  
• readers can subscribe to the blog
  
• readers can access at any time - could be homework

Some reasons for using a blog in education
A blog can be :

• a diary of a school trip
  
• a showcase of pupils' work
  
• a reflective blog for teachers (see the blog roll in the side panel)
  
• a learning log
  
• for an audience of pupils, other classes, parents
  
• peer assessment: 2 star and a wish in comments
  
• a record of work, useful for absentees
  

A blog can have one or many contributors

• all pupils in a class
  
• several teachers
  
• another school
  

Comments can be moderated ie you can read and decide whether or not to approve - good if pupils are commenting

examples of some school blogs
East Lothian blog
Woodhill primary's passeportsanté
Yester primary and Finland

There are many blog creation sites: including

• blogger.com free and easy
  
• edublogs.org free, for education, more features, more complex
  
• typepad.com monthly charge
  

This blog has been created in blogger.com which is simple and straightforward to use 

The principle is the same for all blogs - some have more features.

See the post creating your own blog in blogger for how to do it!