‘A Year of Blogging’

Eoghan Evesson @NewEnglishBlog

Topics- What is a Blog?- Why start blogging?- How to start blogging.- Apps and software to integrate into blogging and the teaching of English.

Blogging: How to get startedSection I

What is a Blog?Some definitions from @ProBlogger‘A weblog is a hierarchy of text, images, media objects and

data, arranged chronologically, that can be viewed in an HTML browser.’

‘A frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links.’

‘From “Web log.” A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is “blogging” and someone who keeps a blog is a “blogger.”‘

‘A weblog is kind of a continual tour, with a human guide who you get to know. There are many guides to choose from, each develops an audience, and there’s also camaraderie and politics between the people who run weblogs, they point to each other, in all kinds of structures, graphs, loops, etc.

‘A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is “blogging” and someone who keeps a blog is a “blogger.” Blogs are typically updated daily using software that allows people with little or no technical background to update and maintain the blog. Postings on a blog are almost always arranged in chronological order with the most recent additions featured most prominently.’

Eoghan Evesson@NewEnglishBlogA Blog is like a digital archive. It is a way to make ideas and content digital for the purpose of logging, sharing and improving the idea/content.

A Typical Blog Post

Why start blogging?Interest- technology- audio/visual

Productivity- better processes- pupils- myself (teacher)- archive

C.P.D.- 7 years teaching- best practice- ideas and inspiration- share work/feedback

How to start blogging1. Want to start!It’s like taking on a hobby that you are never really going to give up, especially if you start a Blog for your school. If you plan on starting a personal or teacher Blog there is certainly less pressure. You own all the work. If you decide to pack up and close it down overnight that’s your prerogative. If you start a department or school Blog it becomes part of the makeup of the department. Archived work, examples and experiences will have to be maintained. Want to start. Have at least one person you can share and console with about all matters Blogging!

2. Virtual Personality- What is the name of your Blog? Is it personal or departmental ? Whether it is a personal or departmental Blog I would suggest it is best to think of the Blog as something that is once removed from you personally. It’s certainly part of a healthy work/life balance. When I’m Blogging I’m Blogging. When I’m me, I’m me.- You will need a new e-mail address. I would highly recommend setting up a Gmail account. It can really help with sharing documents further down the line.- Pick an email address that bears at least a resemblance to your Blog.

How to start blogging

- Password and Username → Have a username and try to stick with it. You will be joining multiple sites and apps. Having the same username is very helpful. Have a ‘password system’. You obviously shouldn’t use the same password for every site. I use a mix of 4/5.

Nota bene

3.Pick a Blog providerThere are many many free Blogging providers. In my opinion, you should choose either:  

Wordpress.com -   

 Blogger -

How to start blogging

Wordpress.comThis video might be all you need from today…

Blogger

English Teacher Blogs (Ireland)  Courtesy of @evelynoconnor

http://leavingcertenglish.netwww.sccenglish.iehttp://dgsenglishdept.blogspot.com/http://meighan.edublogs.org/http://6thyearenglish.tumblr.com/archivewww.juliecullen.weebly.com/english-class-bloghttp://www.cbcenglishdep.blogspot.com/http://collegebookclub.weebly.com/index.htmlhttp://newenglishirl.blogspot.com/http://calasanctiusenglish.blogspot.ie/http://bccnsenglish.com/about/sylvia-plath/http://5j2012msgreville.wordpress.com/category/english-education/www.stmarysenglish13.blogspot.iewww.stmichaelsenglishdept.tumblr.comhttp://ienglish.ie/http://pclm.weebly.com

Apps and software to integrate into blogging and the teaching of English.

Section II

Edmodo

Available: (Online/Multiple OS)- Class organiser- Keep results- Collect assignments- Embed videos- Give badges- Post links

Twitter

- Sharing- C.P.D.- Links- Resources #edchatie

YouTube

- Resources- Upload- Embed Code- YouTube EDU ►

Learn

Create

Teach

YouTube for Schools

Google Docs

Keep large Documents off your BlogI mainly use it for creating an http address for my documents. When I upload document to Google Docs I can then use that address to create a hyperlink on my Blog. You can also set preferences about whether that document can be shared or downloaded. Google Docs does have so many more applications though. See Edudemic.com and 50 Little Known Uses for Google Docs for 49 more!

Skitch

- Projects- Digital- Literacy- Classwork- Creative

(Available: Multiple OS)

Issuu

- You Publish!- Embed code- Project Work - Revision- Collaborative

(Available: Online)

Slideshare

- Easy way to publish Power Points on your Blog - Embed code- Project Work - Revision- Photography- Collaborative

(Available: Online)

Audacity and/or Buzzsprout

AudacityAudacity is a great way to record audio. It is free to download. It has great features for layering multiple sounds if you are feeling brave! BuzzsproutOnce I have recorded on Audacity I publish the track on Buzzsprout. It’s not difficult. Once you have finished recording on Audacity save the sound file. Then when you are in Buzzsprout find the file and publish it. This will then give you a nice embedding code for your Blog/Edmodo.

Popplet

- Mind Maps- Brainstorms- Revision- Testing- Long-term homework

(Available: iPad/Online)

ShowMe

- Audio/Visual- Poetry- Drama- Film- Media Studies- Analysis

(Available: iPad/Online)

Book Creator App (Available:iPad/iPublisher)

- Book publishing for iPad-Use pictures, audio and video- Revision tool- Class book- Create new content

Questions!?

And/or

Thank You!