More Information on Blogs

Hi Teachers,
Here are some resources for you to look at to give you more information about blogs.

1. What are blogs? Visit http://myspace.com, and http://livejournal.com/ to view examples of blogs.
2. Can I read more about blogs? Visit http://www.eschoolnews.com/eti/2005/12/001246.php and http://www.eschoolnews.com/eti/2006/07/001525.php to read articles pertaining to advantages and disadvantages of blogging.

Finally, here are directions for you to set up an account and post a message on this blog.

1. While at our blog, click the icon that says, “0 comments.” (or however many comments we happen to have)
2. This willl take you to a page containing a box that says, “Leave your comment.” If you have a Google account, type a message in the box. If not, create a Google account by clicking, “Sign up here.”
3. After clicking, “Sign up here,” enter your Holy Family School email account, create a password, and enter a display name, which is simply the name that appears on the blog when you post messages. After typing the word verification, and clicking the box that says, “I accept the terms of service,” click the “Continue” button.
4. Then, you will be taken back to the original page containing the box, “Post a comment.” Write a comment, and click, “Publish your comment.”
5. After doing this, at the top of the screen, click on the hyperlink that says, “the original post” in order to view the blog with the new comments.

Now you are all set to use our blog successfully and easily!

Welcome!

Welcome to our blog! Over the next week, I encourage all of you to try to post a message so that you may receive practice in using a blog. Perhaps you can share your thoughts and feelings about using blogs in the classroom. Personally, I feel conflicted about using blogs. For a third grade class, I believe it could be useful for the parents of my students to go and chat with each other about assignments I have given. In addition, the blog could go beyond academics. It could be a place for students and parents to connect with each other on a personal level. Carpools and playdates could be set up, and the students in my class could have an opportunity to socialize with each other outside of school. Conversely, blogs make me slightly nervous that parents would view it as a tool to reach me 24 hours a day/7 days a week. I think it is important to make clear to your parents and students when they blog is to be used, and how. What do you all think?

As a side note, because this site is intended to share professional ideas, I wanted to share an article I heard on NPR. It is about a teacher who uses innovative styles to reach his lower-income students. I found his ideas intriguing, and at the very least, it gives you something to think about. Here is the link to the article if you are interested: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6939776