11 advantages of using a blog for teaching

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Blogs have been around the internet for quite some time now, and they usually serve the purpose of an online journal. But nowadays, blogs are even used even by those into internet marketing. And if you want to personalize your blog on a budget, consider using free blog templates. Here are a few easy-to-follow tips on how to use them effectively.

Know your style and the message of your blog

Of course, you have to tailor your choice of free blog templates depending partly on your style and mainly on the nature of your blog. From the color to the images, all the elements should work perfectly to create a visual representation of the message you want your blog to have.

Fortunately, you can easily look for these templates first at your own blog host or through a simple search. There are simply several other websites that offer a wide selection of blog templates available in an assortment of designs.

Don’t forget to choose a functional template

While free blog templates may be limited in terms of design, they are certainly functional. You can easily incorporate them in your blog without spending a dime. You can even choose the number of columns you want because many user-created templates are available in various numbers of columns. You can choose a single-column template for a sleek, no-nonsense design. You can opt for a two-column design for slightly easier navigation. You can also go for a three-column template for extra functionalities you want to inject your website with.

Customize your templates

Fortunately, many, if not all, blog templates available online for free allow a certain level of personalization. Grab this opportunity to further make the design of your blog a statement of your own personal style. Always remember to choose a template that is easily customizable, especially with the header since this is the first image or area of the blog your readers will see and give them a preview of what the blog is all about.

Don’t over-accessorize

You can further improve the function of your blog by adding widgets to your free blog templates. These are specialized online gadgets that you can easily install on your website. You must be careful, though, because it’s easy to go overboard with these gadgets and end up with a cluttered blog. As much as possible, choose widgets that offer the most useful functions for your user, like sharing, slideshows, etc.

Mark Michael Ferrer
Free Blog Templates

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/blogging-articles/quick-and-easy-tips-in-using-free-blog-templates-effectively-1573824.html

About the Author

Set up your own blog using a free blogging platform like Blogger or WordPress.

Although there are several free blogging platforms, two of the best are Blogger and Wordpress.

Blogger is run by Google and allows you to create a free blog. You can choose from a variety of template and features (gadgets), including the option to add Google Ads on to your blog to monetize your site. (You also have access to the HTML code of your site which means you have more control over your site than a prepackaged blog offered by Edublogs WordPress is a free blogging platform that comes in two varieties. You can either get a free blog account hosted by WordPress.com or download the Wordpress software from WordPress.org

Big fish need water.

Thirsty Trees also need rain

Tablelands Trees

Today we found out that it was World Action Blog Day.
It is a great idea to create a world wide disscussion about the problems the planet face with water.
We have been under water restrictions for quite sometime, although in some areas these have been lifted due to the rain. It would be hard to imagine life without fresh drinking water, but I realise that many around the planet do not have the luxury of fresh water or in some cases have to travel miles to get to water that is already contaminated.  It is time we were all aware of others plight. And that sustainaable water for all is a right.
Pisces the fish

Today is World Action Blog Day and our discussion is about Water and how many countrys suffer with poor drinking water. All humans need fresh water and it is our human rights to have access to drinking water as it is how life began and how life sustains
Fresh clean water for all

Plenty of water in Victoria today

BoM Radar, 5:30pm

Plenty of water in Victoria today. Nearly 30mm of rain down Mallacoota way, for example.

But how long will it last?

Do you think there will be another drought in Victoria in the next 10 years?

Are we doing enough to ensure fresh water supplies for the future?

Here's Leigh Sales and Margot O'Neill on ABC television (Lateline) in August '09. "When the water runs out, will Melbourne survive?"


(michael chalk)

A new blog is created every second. There are more than 900,000 blog posts a day. Two million blogs are updated every week,blogs are here to stay.

Blogs and their associated technologies have heralded the most significant technological development in online teaching and learning
A Blog is a great tool for the classroom, it is a valuable personalised online communication tool.
The anytime, anywhere availability to view or access ,posts,video,voice technologies and photos makes blogging common sense when engaging students. The simplistic way a student can post makes it a tool for all levels of literacy.
Many Blogs provide commentary or news about a particular subject while some are a more personal online diary of achievements, which makes them perfect for assessment evidence.

Wikipedia describes the different types of blogs:

There are many different types of blogs, differing not only in the type of content, but also in the way that content is delivered or written.

Personal blogs

The personal blog, an ongoing diary or commentary by an individual, is the traditional, most common blog. Personal bloggers usually take pride in their blog posts, even if their blog is never read. Blogs often become more than a way to just communicate; they become a way to reflect on life, or works of art. Blogging can have a sentimental quality. Few personal blogs rise to fame and the mainstream, but some personal blogs quickly garner an extensive following. One type of personal blog, referred to as a microblog, is extremely detailed and seeks to capture a moment in time. Some sites, such as Twitter allow bloggers to share thoughts and feelings instantaneously with friends and family, and are much faster than emailing or writing.

Corporate and organizational blogs

A blog can be private, as in most cases, or it can be for business purposes. Blogs used internally to enhance the communication and culture in a corporation or externally for marketing, branding or publi relations purposes are called corporate blogs. Similar blogs for clubs and societies are called club blogs, group blogs, or by similar names; typical use is to inform members and other interested parties of club and member activities.

By genre  

Some blogs focus on a particular subject, such as political blogs, travel blogs (also known as travelogs), house blogs, fashion blogs, project blogs  education blogs , niche blogs , classical music blogs, quizzing blogs and legal blogs (often referred to as a blawgs) or dreamlogs. Two common types of genre blogs are art blogs and music blogs. A blog featuring discussions especially about home and family is not uncommonly called a mom blog. While not a legitimate type of blog, one used for the sole purpose of spamming is known as a Splog.

By media type

A blog comprising videos is called a vlog, one comprising links is called a linklog, a site containing a portfolio of sketches is called a sketchblog or one comprising photos is called a photoblog. Blogs with shorter posts and mixed media types are called tumblelogs.  Blogs that are written on typewriters and then scanned are called typecast or typecast blogs; see typecasting (blogging).

By device

Blogs can also be defined by which type of device is used to compose it. A blog written by a mobile device like a mobile phone or PDA could be called a moblog  One early blog was Wearable Wireless Webcam, an online shared diary of a person's personal life combining text, video, and pictures transmitted live from a wearable computer and EyeTap device to a web site. This practice of semi-automated blogging with live video together with text was referred to as sousveillance Such journals have been used as evidence in legal matters

Information by others that have used this  technology in the classroom is always interesting, the trials and errors are already documented.
Why re-invent the wheel, check out what others have been doing and how they have achieved their goals using blogs in the classroom..

EDNA : Blog in the classroom resources.
EDU Blogs awards, the best ...
ICT in Learning

Blogs can be used for multiple purposes. With this in mind you need to make sure your learners are clear about the purpose of the blog and its intended use

Design steps

• Plan and design how a blog fits into your learning classroom.
• Decide on where your blog will be hosted.
• Set up the blog prior to course
• Discuss with your learners how the blog will be used and the purpose of the blog in the classroom
• Negotiate acceptable use and guidelines for posting
• Discuss the frequency of updates required.

Blogs can be used to create a portfolio of employability skills. This could serve for future employment. If using blogs for  assessment purposes be clear on the competencies, skills, performance criteria that need to be demonstrated.  Items within the blog must have the potential to demonstrate competencies.  Ensure that guidelines for the development of the blog are clearly stated.

Wikipedia says...
The Blogosphere is the collective community of all blogs is known as the blogosphere. Since all blogs are on the internet by definition, they may be seen as interconnected and socially networked, through blogrolls, comments, linkbacks (refbacks, trackbacks or pingbacks) and backlinks  Discussions "in the blogosphere" are occasionally used by the media as a gauge of public opinion on various issues. Because new, untapped communities of bloggers can emerge in the space of a few years, Internet marketers pay close attention to "trends in the blogosphere".

Several blog search engines are used to search blog contents, such as Bloglines, BlogScope and Technorati. Technorati, which is among the most popular blog search engines, provides current information on both popular searches and tags used to categorize blog postings.

A group of links that will help you understand RSS (Rich Site Summary)
RSS
RSS wikipedia
More about RSS
RSS Specifications
How do you use RSS
Google Reader

Some simple blogging tips for developing your blog.

• Blog Regularly, If you want to be successful at blogging.
• You should decide on how many posts you are able to write; ideally you should make at least 3 posts per week to keep up intrest.  This will give your readers an idea of when they can expect a new post.
• Writing and developing good content is the key to a successful blog. If your content does not read well, your readers will not return, it is better to write one really good post than to write a dozen posts that people will not get through.
• Before publishing your post you should read your article several times before posting it to your blog. You need to make sure that your post is readable and interesting
• Always keep your readers in mind, and answer all the questions you think they might have. You can also specifically ask your readers what they would like to know more about.
• If you want to be a successful writer, you need to also be a reader.
• If you want to blog  well you need to be persistent and never give up

How to use Blogs in the Classroom
EDNA                                                                                                                                                   ICT in learning  ICT in Learning 
Copyright Information Copyright
Blogs in the classroom
Will Richardson, “Learner in Chief” at Connective Learning
Weblogged
Twitter and Blogger
Add Your Recent Tweets to Blogger
Why Blog some great tips and Ideas flow from this blog
Why Blog
Classroom Blogs
Class Room Blogs
e-Themes in the Class
How to pick your classroom blogs
Basic Blogs for the Classroom

A blog (weblog) is a of website that displays posts in reverse chronological order.

The most recent at the top. The posts can consist of text, images, movies and links to other websites.

Blogs can function as diaries, journalistic ventures information portals hobbie information and e-assessments.

Before you create a blog, you need to  decide on the theme of your blog and the subject you will cover.

What can you do with your blog for starters you can

• Create and edit your own blog
• Edit your blog templates colours and fonts
• Add posts and comments
• Moderate posts to your blog
• Add a file , image or movie to your posts
• View postings