Google+Blogger

=[|Google Blogger]=

Resources:

 * [|Teaching Today - Blog Basics]
 * [|Teaching Tips: Using Online Journals and Blogs]
 * [|My eCoach - Classroom Blogs]
 * [|Google Blogger Multimedia Review - PC World]
 * [|YouTube - How to create a blog with Blogger]
 * Questions about Blogger
 * [|Blogger's Choice Awards '09] (BE 11/1/09)
 * [|Widget Box for Blogs] (BE 11/1/09)

Strengths:

 * FREE!
 * Able to track readings and access to site
 * Allows for interaction and collaboration between students and teachers
 * Allows for personal engagement within the classroom
 * Can make 1 account and have multiple registered users
 * Easy to set up and use. Doesn't require complicated software.
 * Accessible from any computer with an internet connection.
 * Create and manage multiple blogs from blogger dashboard.
 * Access controls make it simple to manage who can post and read the blog.
 * Templates make it easy to make your blog look professional without using HTML. You can even customize your colors and fonts to create a blog that matches your schools colors.
 * Easily monitor and delete comments from students to prevent inappropriate comments and content from posting.
 * You can edit the HTML code to remove the Navbar so students can't click "Next Blog" and see inappropriate blogs.
 * Teachers can easily monitor blog activity by using Google Reader or following the students' blogs on Blogger.
 * You can add polls, and links to websites
 * Can choose a URL and web site name that is easy for your students to remember and relevant to your class
 * Allows you to post embed videos that can be share with others that have subscribed to the blog
 * Educational Blogging is a media outlet aimed at academic accomplishment or professional development (BE11/1/09)
 * Network sites often include discussions of provocative ideas and carry substantive debate on current issues (BE 11/1/09)
 * Blogging allows for the sharing of ideas and community support for education, political and community improvement (BE 11/1/09)
 * By using Blogs you can develop a paperless classroom.
 * By using Blogs for student portfolios parents, coaches and administrators can track and mentor students progression outside of the classroom.

Weaknesses:

 * Students need to be educated on acceptable use policies and internet safety precautions to prevent them from posting inappropriate content or posting personal information.
 * Limited internet/computer access can put a damper on accessibility
 * Works better for older students and younger students or those not technology proficient may need to taught appropriate skills
 * Need for consistency
 * Schools may not allow for access to blogs.
 * Students need their own email address to be able to access their blog. If not, any student can access the dashboard of their peers blogs.
 * It is possible in Blogger to post with a date other than the one it is actually posted (a problem if there is a due date).
 * Social networking sites, such as blogs, sometime divert the reader from content of the site and instead center on “web presence” and gathering friends online to gain attention (BE 11/1/09)
 * Blogs need to be monitored to make sure students are adhering to the educational guidelines set forth by the instructor.

Opportunities:

 * Online journal
 * Anyone (beyond the classroom and school can access and allow for comments)
 * Continuation of learning beyond class
 * "Ownership" of learning
 * Can create online portfolios
 * Share what you are doing in your classroom with other students and teachers.
 * Use to aid in collaborative learning activities.
 * Easily communicate with students, parents, and other teachers.
 * Helps students improve writing and communication.
 * Use to enhance student participation.
 * Helps you to manage and organize information and resources.
 * Can be used as a tool to improve analytical reasoning and critical thinking.
 * Increase literacy skills
 * Blogs give the people from all backgrounds the ability to reshape the web, impact politics, shake up journalism, voice your opinion, and connect with others.
 * The key difference is the element of content and discussion, as with supervision of the teacher or parents with educational blogging as opposed to social networking sites (BE 11/1/09)
 * Network sites often include discussions of provocative ideas and carry substantive debate on current issues (BE 11/1/09)

 **Threats:**
 * Hurtful and threatening comments can be made, so moderation is necessary
 * Time allocation and importance of maintaining and respecting Internet privacy and safety needs to be elaborated upon
 * Care needs to be taken to ensure that use of the blog is used appropriately.
 * Be sure that the use of the blog is educationally worthwhile and promotes higher-order thinking.
 * Can take time to monitor blog for inappropriate and irrelevant content and posts.
 * Too much time blogging may distract students from other studies (BE 11/1/09)
 * Open access may ruin a classroom experience with blogs by posting disturbing images, hackers may use malaware and online predators may see a blog as a means to harm others (BE 11/1/09)

IDEAS FOR THE CLASSROOM

 * Online journal on any topic(s)
 * Can be used for students to post questions and the instructor responds to (or uses to modify upcoming lessons)
 * Use as an example of formal (versus "chat") language to teach proper English grammar, structure and syntax
 * Create blog for class to keep students up-to-date on classroom announcements, homework.
 * Post notes and presentations online for students to review.
 * Have students create a blog to use to create an online repository of information for a research paper or project or portfolio of course work.
 * Have students collaborate to create a project or review of information for tests and quizzes.
 * Keep track of curriculum for different classes by creating blogs for each class.
 * Have students 'report' on news and information to promote awareness and analysis of current events.
 * Students can post their reading journal so teachers, parents and peers can comment on the books they're reading.
 * An effective way to inform parents of class announcements, home learning assignments, and upcoming school events.
 * Save paper, by logging on and reading school news letters and fliers.
 * Use the comments section to allow students to ask questions about their homework and allow other students to respond for extra credit.
 * Use the comments section to allow students to ask questions so the instructor can adjust their lesson in advance for the following day if a common need exists amongst their students.
 * Allows you to share information with other same level classes...merging the classes to create a way to communicate across the school grade.
 * Create a wall street blog for investors to look at daily fin which students role play to understand the stock market. In this case, educational networking and return on investments for ideas and strategies for corporations and businesses requires good IT practices and technique for a 21st century company. (BE 11/1/09)
 * For students, develop strategies for courses and solve problems as a community. One example may include tracking the sea travel of Christopher Columbus with each student creating a geographic piece of the map using images and multimedia on their own blog. (BE 11/1/09)

Examples of Use in the Classroom

 * [|Seventh Grade Life Sciences Blog]
 * [|Cruise Science Blog]
 * [|Secret Life of Bees Blogs]
 * [|Politico] represents one blog that transformed the way young students and individuals receive news on politics as a media outlet (BE 11/1/09)