What is blogging?

A blog ("weblog") is an online diary or journal. It is a web page that can be used for instant online publishing by educators and their students. Each entry in a "blog" is known as a "post". They are usually organized in reverse chronological order with the most recent post at the top of the page. Blogs/posts are generally short and informal, but because they are intended for a broader audience, they are written in a more conversational tone and frequently serve to invite others to a discussion on the particular point of the post.

The blog site creates opportunities to exchange ideas, share timely news, record events, update projects or post writings similar to a diary or journal. Additional information can be made available through links posted on the blog site.

Readers on the web respond to the blogger through comments on the blog page.

Blogging can be used during the day for school or in the evening as part of homework. Teachers can use it as a tool for prompted writing activities. Try posting a random thought or note then ask your students to comment, expand on the topic, offer an opinion, or take a stand on the topic asking them to explain their opinion in writing. It will definitely get the "wheels turning". Educationally speaking teachers and students can use blogging to share links to a specific theme or content area. It can also be used to exchange ideas with peers on how to get something done. At the district level, it can be used to share district news with parents and community members.

Unique Features

Web logs have unique features that distinguish them from other home pages:

• Each entry is time- and date-stamped automatically.
• Most items contain links to other Web resources.
• Links to and from each blog are recorded by the software, this allows the user to broaden his or her interests.
• Blog home pages often list resources the writer frequently canvasses for news and the Web sites or blogs of other people and institutions within his or her circle.

Most of the valuable blog messages contain these types of items:

• a reference to something that has been published or another blog message;
• a link to the external source, perhaps an excerpt or key paragraph;
• and some original writing by the blogger, usually a comment or opinion.

Start your own blog today! Blogger.com offers FREE accounts.

AUTHOR VISIT RESOURCES

• Author Visit Checklist for Event Coordinator/Librarian
  
• Teacher Notes - Preparing for an Author Visit
  
• Author Contact Information COMING SOON!
  
• Sample Flier for Book Sale
  
• Sample Book Order Form
• Sample Schedule for Day of Event
  
• Sample Press Release
  

BLOGGING RESOURCES

• On two separate occasions we contracted Will Richardson, an expert/national speaker on academic blogging, to present workshops to our teachers about the use of "Blogs" in the classroom. He is extremely knowledgeable, has a wonderful personality & lots of great ideas! If you can get him to do a workshop with your teachers, you won't be sorry!
• Sample Blogging Permission Slip
• Blogging / Discussion Board Objectives
• Article "What's in a Blog" - American School Board Journal - Educators discover the newest form of intimate and immediate conversation. By Craig Colgan
• What are the Differences Between Message Boards and Weblogs?
• HTML file with numerous bookmarked weblog links and articles created by Michael Lackner for his Poster Session at NECC 2005

Information Credit: http://www.infotoday.com/lu/may02/conhaim.htm