Blogging for Advisors

Rochelle Jensen, 2006

Welcome to Blogging for Advisors

27th April 1-4pm

You can prepare by:Attempting to connect your laptop to the wireless network Network Name: Password:

Social Software has revolutionised the internet enabling users to become active rather than passive.

This practical workshop will provide advisors with a quick overview of social software before launching into an in-depth look at a key tool – blogs .

Presentation avaliable at


What Do I Blog? Why Blog? *blog vs. emailed nsl

Safe Blogging ?*risks/protocols/ security

How Do I Get Started? *step-by-step*best software

How Do I Blog Effectively? * so people read* operates effectively* is it feasible time –wise ?

What you wanted from this session?

Advanced Techie Tips *monitoring hits*page elements *using widgets *adding comments*deleting posts*ping new posts


Plan of Attack

1:00-1:20pm The Web Revolution Overview of social software

D R A

F T

*monitoring hits*page elements *using widgets *adding comments*deleting posts*ping new posts

1:20- 3pm Insights into Blogging and Getting Started- Step-by –Step Blogging in a nutshell Why Blog? Tips for effective blogging Tips for safe blogging

3:00 - 4pmEnhancing My Blog


Setting Up for SuccessEstablishing a Learning Culture

Collaborative – ask questions, share ideas - make sense of new materialHelping each other out- Work in pairsShare talking time and ensure everyone participatesCell-phones on silentSound on computers turned down or offFlexibilityPace ???

What else???


By the end of today’s session…

Web 2.0 - Know what characterises web 2.0 and how these tools can be used to facilitate constructivist approaches to teaching and learning.

Your Own Blog - Have begun creating a purposeful blog for use in your role as an advisor and have the skills and knowledge to continue to grow your blog


What’s Changed ?

The Digital LandscapeWeb 1 vs. Web 2.0


Web 2.0 …oThe evolution of the web ( as we once knew it)

oSocial software.

oUsers are active rather than passive

oCreate and publish content. Shared constitution of meaning.

oLess about places and other nouns more about verbs.

The Web What has changed in the last few years?


oNo html knowledge required.

oContent flows in a variety of directions that depend on the behaviors

of those who produce the information and those who use it.


Social software supports the desire of individuals to be

pulled into groups to achieve goals.

Social software enables people to rendezvous,connect or collaborate through computer-mediated communication and to form online communications. Wikipedia


Web 2.0 is growing by the day.

Mission :Check out the growing list of web 2.0 applications

http://www.listible.com/list/complete-list-of-web-2-0-products-and-services

Which are familiar to you? How do you use them?

Choose one that is new to you and has appeal – professionally or personally. Prepare to share with the group:

What it is? Why you like it? How you will make use of it?

http://www.listible.com/list/complete-list-of-web-2-0-products-and-services


The e-Life

Communicating IM, chat

Sharing Blogs, webcams

Buying & Selling ebay

Exchanging P2P

Creating sites, avatars, mods

Meeting 3D chat rooms, dating

Collectingmp3, video, sensor data

Searching Info, connections, people

Analyzing SETI, drug molecules

Reporting Moblogs, photos

Programming Open systems, mods, search

SocializingLearning social behavior, influence

Growing UpExploring, transgressing

Coordinating Projects, workgroups, MMORPGs

Evaluating Reputation systems–Epinions, Amazon, Slashdot

Gaming Solo, 1-on-1, small & large groups

LearningAbout stuff that interests them

EvolvingPeripheral, emergent behaviors

© 2006 Marc Prensky


o Blogging – in a nutshell

o Why blog?

o Tips for effective blogging

o Tips for safe blogging

Insights into Blogging

In context w

ith se

tting up our o

wn blog


Blogging in a nutshello Example of Web 2.0

o Definition from wikipedia :


Blogs tend to have a few things in common:

• User-friendly

• Share a common format. A main content area with articles listed chronologically, newest at the

top An archive of older articles A way for people to leave comments about the articles A list of links to other related sites, sometimes called a “blogroll” One or more “feeds” like RSS …

• Control of blog is with the person who has set it up


Why blog?• Creates a learning community feel in a place away from the traditional environment. This

learning community is open 24/7.• Blogs can give individual learners a voice – shifting the ‘power’ from the instructor to the

learner.• Blogs provide an authentic audience. An audience of educators, peers and a potential

worldwide audience.• Blogs allow for multiple feedback loops among the networked parties. Learning via a blog

setting is now a social activity.• Supports differentiation. The blog gives some of our more verbally reserved individuals a forum

for their thoughts.• Builds technology skills• Provides links to others sites and resources

Blogs need to be thoughtfully integrated into your work as an advisor. Simply blogging is not enough- blogs in learning must be driven by a clear purpose.

Our kids need role models and guides to teach

them socialisation skills to participate in a

connected community.


I blog to:

o Record, reflect and share my worko Record, reflect and share what I am reading( includes other

blogs )o Learn from others and keep up with my area of interesto Create my own personal learning network of people and

resourceso Provide a linked archive of categorised resources gathered

on my learning journeyo To connect, to be part of a wider community – my schools,

colleagues, network of other bloggers


http://rocky11.blogspot.com/

http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blogger_id=1337

http://www.cihgisborne.blogspot.com/

http://futureofmath.misterteacher.com/classroom_blogs.html

http://waikatoforthehealthofit.blogspot.com/

Wikis on Blogshttp://supportblogging.com/page/diff/Links+to+School+Bloggers?v=3237908http://nzedublogs.wikispaces.com/

educators+or+teachers+blogs+and+podcasts

Examples in Education

http://rocky11.blogspot.com/

http://futureofmath.misterteacher.com/classroom_blogs.html

http://supportblogging.com/page/diff/Links+to+School+Bloggers?v=3237908


Making a start with http://www.blogger.com/start

THE FASTEST WAY TO UNDERSTAND BLOGGING IS TO TRY IT OUT.

http://www.blogger.com/start


2. Create a post or two

1. Create your blog

NB. Make sure your blog name and url is simple and reflects the content of your blogStudy the templates carefully. Do they offer the structure you want in your blog?

NB. Add a text post then another post with a link to a url and a picture.

3. View your blog

http://www.blogger.com/start


A Possible Code of Conduct for Bloggers

This is a blog that supports your role as a professional. Ensure it reflects this – spelling, grammar, content…1. Take responsibility for our own words and for the comments we allow on our blog. Sit on postings for a while.2. Don’t say anything online that you wouldn't say in person.3. Connect privately before responding publicly..

.


NB> Customise by thoughtfully answering the questions in each section. These all relate to the look and feel of your blog and the ability of others to interact with your blog

4. Customise Your Blog

The Settings


Customising your blog templateI believe all blogs should at least have: an archive/ a link list/ a profile

Add these elements to your blog by :

1.Selecting the ‘Template’ tab

2. Selecting ‘Add a ‘Page Element’

3. Selecting ‘Add to Blog’ on the desired element.

Completing the required fields

NB. The order of ‘Page Elements’ can be changed by dragging and dropping them in the desired area.


Customise your blog template 2

1. Edit the Header of your blog to reflect what your blog is about


Tips for Effective Blogging

oKeep it simpleoStick to the purpose of your blogoInteract with readersoMake it worthwhileoBuild your blog bit by bitoSeek expert blogs to assist with posting on your ownoTry and post at least once a weekoMake all posts relate to student learningoIf you mention it hyperlink itoWrite and then cut in halfoUse PicturesoGet the stats back


Enhancing your blog

o Set up an online file storage system – esnipshttp://esnips.com/signin/index.jsp

o Set up a hit counterhttp://www.bravenet.com/

o Make your blog RSS capable

o Create a 3D ID www.meez.com

o Get your head around the concept of widgets

http://esnips.com/signin/index.jsp

http://www.esnips.com/

http://www.bubbleshare.com/


Please post some feedback on skrlbo How was the course of assistance to you?o What further support/ info. would have been useful?o What benefits may permeate for those that your work with?o Best bits?? The Not So Good Bits ??

http://www.skrbl.com/41482401

Technology

Blogging for Advisors