As I read some of the educational blogs, I was reminded of the wide range of possibilities for a blog.
I started a library blog in January. My primary audience is 3rd - 5th grade students. I try to share information about books and upcoming library events. My goal has been to post weekly, but I haven't been very consistent, especially this summer.
I feel that is is important for educators to actively use Web 2.0 tools with students. We are teaching 21st century learners who will be using many of these tools in their personal lives. Students at my school have been thrilled to use wikis and blogs in a school setting, so it's also a way to actively engage students. We can be the educators to teach students how to safely navigate the world of social media.
The Top Ten Reasons for Using 2.0 in Learning wiki organized by Joyce Valenza has become one of my favorites for new ideas for using Web 2.0 and rationale to support their use. I've also found the following video inspiring!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Week 2 Reflections
What did you learn?
I had no idea there were so many templates available to choose!
How will you use what you have learned?
Templates and gadgets are fun ways to customize a blog.
How did you feel about this information?
I like the idea of selecting a template that reflects the you and the purpose for your blog. While I like adding some gadgets to my blog, I think it can easily start feeling cluttered. I don't want the gadgets I add to distract students from reading what I post.
What makes a template work for you? What do you look for in a template for your website?
I didn't end up adding a template to my blog. Instead I selected a background from The Cutest Blog on the Block and added it to my existing template. In selecting a template, I want something simple that reflects my personality and fits with the purpose of the blog.
What widgets did you add this week?
I added a picture, calendar, weather, NASA Picture of the Day, suduko, and goodreads.
What purpose do you see for widgets on your website?
I think it is important to add widgets that relate to the purpose of your blog, so they don't distract from your posts. On my library blog, I have a text widget to tell students how to safely comment on the blog, a links widget for links to the library catalog and author websites, and a goodreads widget to recommend books to students.
What questions do you still have about blog templates and widgets?
None right now.
What would you like to see covered next week?
??? I don't have any ideas right now.
I had no idea there were so many templates available to choose!
How will you use what you have learned?
Templates and gadgets are fun ways to customize a blog.
How did you feel about this information?
I like the idea of selecting a template that reflects the you and the purpose for your blog. While I like adding some gadgets to my blog, I think it can easily start feeling cluttered. I don't want the gadgets I add to distract students from reading what I post.
What makes a template work for you? What do you look for in a template for your website?
I didn't end up adding a template to my blog. Instead I selected a background from The Cutest Blog on the Block and added it to my existing template. In selecting a template, I want something simple that reflects my personality and fits with the purpose of the blog.
What widgets did you add this week?
I added a picture, calendar, weather, NASA Picture of the Day, suduko, and goodreads.
What purpose do you see for widgets on your website?
I think it is important to add widgets that relate to the purpose of your blog, so they don't distract from your posts. On my library blog, I have a text widget to tell students how to safely comment on the blog, a links widget for links to the library catalog and author websites, and a goodreads widget to recommend books to students.
What questions do you still have about blog templates and widgets?
None right now.
What would you like to see covered next week?
??? I don't have any ideas right now.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Week 1 Reflections
What did you learn?
I love the idea of being able to have guests contribute to your blog by email. I knew you could invite guest bloggers, but I hadn't explored the blog by email option. I also am glad to know how to remove the navigation bar from the top of the blog.
How will you use what you have learned?
I'm looking forward to inviting some classes to post on my library blog using the blog by email option. I removed the navigation bar from my library blog for students, but I left it on my Web 2.0 blog I'm using for this course. I'm kind of attached to the account options at the top right hand side of the screen.
How did you feel about this information?
I'm glad to learn about some new to me features in Blogger. I've explored a lot of the menus, but I had never tried the email to blog option.
Do you feel that comment moderation is a benefit or a detriment? Why?
I am strongly in favor of comment moderation. I feel responsible for any content that is posted on my blog, and I want to make sure that comments are appropriate and relevant to the post.
Who did you ask to try the Mail-to-Blogger feature? Did it work? Would you use this with your students? colleagues?
I tried the Mail-to-Blogger feature myself. It is really easy to use, and I like that you can have the post save as a draft until you are ready for it to post. I'm definitely planning to use it with classes and teachers at my school.
What do you not want to forget about this week’s information?
I need to save the directions for removing the navigation bar. I think this is a great way to make our blogs safer for students.
What questions do you still have about blog settings and templates?
Is there any way to remove the Next Blog and Search box, but still keep the Sign In link on the right side of the navigation bar? Like I said before, I'm kind of attached to that feature. I know I can get used to the change, but I do use that part of the navigation bar a lot when I'm working on my blog.
I love the idea of being able to have guests contribute to your blog by email. I knew you could invite guest bloggers, but I hadn't explored the blog by email option. I also am glad to know how to remove the navigation bar from the top of the blog.
How will you use what you have learned?
I'm looking forward to inviting some classes to post on my library blog using the blog by email option. I removed the navigation bar from my library blog for students, but I left it on my Web 2.0 blog I'm using for this course. I'm kind of attached to the account options at the top right hand side of the screen.
How did you feel about this information?
I'm glad to learn about some new to me features in Blogger. I've explored a lot of the menus, but I had never tried the email to blog option.
Do you feel that comment moderation is a benefit or a detriment? Why?
I am strongly in favor of comment moderation. I feel responsible for any content that is posted on my blog, and I want to make sure that comments are appropriate and relevant to the post.
Who did you ask to try the Mail-to-Blogger feature? Did it work? Would you use this with your students? colleagues?
I tried the Mail-to-Blogger feature myself. It is really easy to use, and I like that you can have the post save as a draft until you are ready for it to post. I'm definitely planning to use it with classes and teachers at my school.
What do you not want to forget about this week’s information?
I need to save the directions for removing the navigation bar. I think this is a great way to make our blogs safer for students.
What questions do you still have about blog settings and templates?
Is there any way to remove the Next Blog and Search box, but still keep the Sign In link on the right side of the navigation bar? Like I said before, I'm kind of attached to that feature. I know I can get used to the change, but I do use that part of the navigation bar a lot when I'm working on my blog.
Email Post Trial
I think this would be a great way to allow classes, teachers, or even administrators to contribute to my library blog.
A photo of the new computer tables in my library is included with this post just so I can see how images are included from an email.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Advanced Blogging
Advanced Blogging starts tomorrow! I'm excited to learn more about blog features and to find new ways to use my library blog with students.
The Voki I created last summer doesn't seem to be working, so I guess I'll be fixing it in the coming weeks. :)
The Voki I created last summer doesn't seem to be working, so I guess I'll be fixing it in the coming weeks. :)
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Week 6 Reflections
How would you describe this course to a colleague?
An introduction to Web 2.0 tools that provides you the opportunity to actually explore the tools and find ways they can help you in your job.
What was the best part of the course and why?
Having assignments using the tools was the best part of the course for me. I had heard about many of the tools and knew that they could help me in the library, but until the course, I never made the time to actually try them.
What will you take away from this course to use in your classroom?
I plan to use blogs and wikis in the library during the coming year to communicate with students and teachers. I'm sure I will incorporate other tools along the way.
What is one thing you would change about this course for the next group?
I think the course could be broken into a couple segments. A six week class has been a little bit long during the summer even though I enjoyed the learning. I can see there being more interest in a shorter course.
Would you recommend this course to anyone else? Why or why not?
Absolutely! I already have! Librarians in the district have discussed Web 2.0 tools. There is quite a bit of interest, but I think this course is a good way to jump in and try some of those things that we already know are great tools.
An introduction to Web 2.0 tools that provides you the opportunity to actually explore the tools and find ways they can help you in your job.
What was the best part of the course and why?
Having assignments using the tools was the best part of the course for me. I had heard about many of the tools and knew that they could help me in the library, but until the course, I never made the time to actually try them.
What will you take away from this course to use in your classroom?
I plan to use blogs and wikis in the library during the coming year to communicate with students and teachers. I'm sure I will incorporate other tools along the way.
What is one thing you would change about this course for the next group?
I think the course could be broken into a couple segments. A six week class has been a little bit long during the summer even though I enjoyed the learning. I can see there being more interest in a shorter course.
Would you recommend this course to anyone else? Why or why not?
Absolutely! I already have! Librarians in the district have discussed Web 2.0 tools. There is quite a bit of interest, but I think this course is a good way to jump in and try some of those things that we already know are great tools.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Scrapblog
I decided to try Scrapblog. It basically is a free digital scrapbooking program that allows the user to upload photos from your computer or photo sharing account. Lots of scrapbook templates are offered or you can create your own page from scratch. I decided to explore Scrapblog because I thought it might be a fun assignment option for a student project.
Follow the link below to learn more about Scrapblog. Click on the "Take a Quick Tour" link to learn more about this tool.
http://www.scraplog.com/
Below is my sample Scraplog. My fifth graders usually do a project where each student researches one of the fifty states. I thought they could create a scrapblog telling about their state and some of the attractions.
Follow the link below to learn more about Scrapblog. Click on the "Take a Quick Tour" link to learn more about this tool.
http://www.scraplog.com/
Below is my sample Scraplog. My fifth graders usually do a project where each student researches one of the fifty states. I thought they could create a scrapblog telling about their state and some of the attractions.
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