THE  POWER  OF  BLOGGING  FOR  EDUCATORSLESCN * APRIL 1, 2013

Bill Carozza • Principal – Harold Martin School • wcarozza@mac.comTwitter: @wcarozza • Blog: billcarozza.com

BIG PICTURE GOAL in One Hour

• Start a personal blog by the end of the summer

SPECIFIC goals for today:

• Learn the place blogs hold in the education field.

• Be convinced that blogging is simple enough and important enough to take a crack at it.

• Leave in one hour having enough inspiration and knowledge to meet your big picture goal of starting a blog by September 1, 2013.

What Can’t We Do Today?

• We don’t have time to actually set the blog up...but plenty of resources to help.

• Will Richardson: (paraphrased): We shouldn’t have workshops on how to make a blog. We should make sure the blog is set up ahead of the workshop.

Agenda• Setting the Scene-Web 2.0

• Blog Examples

• Why Blog?

• What Can I Blog Enough?

• Getting Started

• Main Elements of a Blog

• Tools

• Q and A

TodaysMeethttp://todaysmeet.com/lescnblogging

Technology Credo

• Technology  initiatives  have  to  improve  upon  the  instructional,  curricular,  or  assessment  practices  we  already  value.

Again…Will Richardson• The most sweeping change in our

relationship with the Internet may not be as much with the ability to publish as it is the ability to share and connect and create with many, many others of like minds and interests.

You think the world has changed?

1989 Radio Shack Cell Phone Commercial

What is Web 2.0?

Web 1.0• Static web pages

• Using search engines

• Surfing the web

Web 2.0• Web applications (as opposed to client or desktop

based apps.)

• User interaction

• Facebook, Blogs, Twitter, Wikis

• Users focus on ideas, creativity, collaboration

• Technical know how-not as important

• No need to know computer programming, e.g. HTML

In the Pre-Web 2.0 Age

Examples of Blogs

• Cool Cat Teachers Blog

• Free Technology for Teachers

• The Principal of Change

• Connected Principals

• Principal Reflections

• HMS Sunday Blast

The State of Educational Blogging (Edublog Survey 2012)

• How are blogs being used?

• 39% class blog, 39% personal blog

• For student blogging:

• 43% for global collaboration and authentic audience

• 1/4 using iPads for blogging

Blogs have been used by educators for years

Why Blog?

• Writing requires reflection and greater understanding.

• Blogging begins the cycle of collaboration and builds your PLC.

• Blogging encourages students to do the same.

• A blog helps to build your school’s “brand”.

• For students: motivational, authentic, increases student expectations

BLOG TO DEVELOP YOUR PLN (Personal Learning Network)

Learn from other administratorsLinks to blogs, articles

Find collaborative solutionsBackchanneling at conferences

Collaboration through Blog commenting

WHAT CAN I BLOG ABOUT?

What You’re Dealing With

What You Learn

Personal Stories

Upcoming Events

Important News

Communication to Parents

Sensitive Topics

The Arts as they Relate to Education

How do I get started?

• Pick a platform and set up your blog.

• Utilize all of the elements of a blog.

• Utilize tools to gather ideas and organize

• Consider a template.

Pick a PlatformEdublogs, Blogger, WordPress.com

Getting your blog going in one day: BLOGGERLink to setting it up at billcarozza.com

Main elements of a blog

Tools:Collecting Info and Organize

Using Evernote and/or Social Bookmarking

Template

Blogging

How to Get More Traffic on your Blog

• Write great headline

• Write content worth sharing

• Consistent schedule

• Own your domain name

• Share blog address everywhere

• Make it easy to subscribe

• Use Social Media

• Engage the conversation

Q & A

Resources

All resources can be found at billcarozza.com, click tab: “Workshop Resources”

Email: wcarozza@mac.comTwitter: @wcarozza