Tumblr

Go to [|Tumblr]! Tumblr is both a blog and a social network website. It basically allows you to create a blog, but is different than other blog sites for a few reasons. Not only can you write and upload pictures and videos, you can also "reblog" others' posts similar to "retweeting" on Twitter. You can choose between writing your own HTML for the design or picking from hundreds of layouts other users have created and shared.

Resources: Educational Resources Pages on Tumblr Teacher Resources Tumblr Lesson Plans

Strengths:
 * 1) Free to use and join
 * 2) No limit on amount of posts
 * 3) Isn't blocked on school campuses
 * 4) Very popular among high school aged students
 * 5) Allows you to be as creative as you'd like
 * 6) Hosts pictures and videos
 * 7) You can edit the privacy settings to fit your needs
 * 8) Content sharing is made easy
 * 9) Allows for collaborative feedback
 * 10) Assignment submission is easy

Weaknessess:
 * 1) The site is occasionally down for maintenance
 * 2) Not appropriate for younger students

Opportunities
 * 1) Teachers can use this to communicate with parents/students/other teachers
 * 2) Students can create a Tumblr
 * 3) Students can collaborate with other classes

Threats
 * 1) Students might not want to "follow" a class blog in fear of the teacher reading their blog
 * 2) Site might direct students to inappropriate "featured blogs"
 * 3) Any picture or video can be uploaded; content on blogs isn't monitored

Ideas for the Classroom
 * 1) Students can learn about HTML by creating layouts and sharing them
 * 2) Students could all create a Tumblr and "follow" each other and therefore create a huge network of information sharing
 * 3) Students can respond to posts and questions that teachers ask on their Tumblr which causes students to practice how to comment on other blogs
 * 4) Students have the opportunity to learn about many different aspects of blogging that may not all be available on different weblogs (layout, commenting, posting, tag feature, etc.)