Blogs in Plain English

So why blog?

• It is FUN! • Increased motivation for writing• Increased motivation for reading• Strengthening the home school relationship • Pride in their work• Extension of transferable ICT skills• Increased proofreading and validation skills• Prepares students for digital citizenship• Ability to share• Digital Literacy

First time blogging

• Think about the purpose• Don’t do it all at once• Make it something kids want to visit• Teach specific skills• Moderate comments• Let the kids believe you have ICT super skills!

Let’s Get Blogging!

• www.globalteacher.org.au

Getting Ideas

Getting ideas

Getting ideas

Getting started• www.globalteacher.org.au

It must be an Edumail address!

Think of a name!

• Don’t stress – you can change the name of the blog later but your web address (domain) will always be the same so think carefully!

• These people didn’t:– Pen Island @ www.penisland.com– Experts Exchange @ expertsexchange.com

LOGIN

• This is your blog now.• To login and make changes:

Go to www.globalteacher.org.auOrAdd wp-admin to your web address

Private!

• The first step is to go to Settings• Then go to Discussion.– Click on the button ‘An administrator must always

approve a comment’

Personalise!

• Now the fun bit!• Click on themes and choose your theme! • Some of them you can add you own pictures!

Transferable skills

• THINK WIKI!

• Let’s make a post!• First delete the one you have

• Now to write your own. Use the skills you have from the wiki to help you.

Widgets

• Now to add some widgets.