Blogging & RSS: The Read/Write Web

Shawn Brandt

HS Mars Lab (140)

Do the words “blogging” and “RSS” scare you? Don’t be scared; in fact, blogs might be just what you need to get your students "re-interested" in journaling or writing! Blogs are web-based journals -- online thinking spaces where students and teachers can write their thoughts and others can respond. Blogs have become popular in classrooms across the country as teachers begin to see the value of this new tool. Attend this workshop and learn how to set up, use, and manage a blog that engages your students in 21st century communication. Please bring curriculum materials to help add content to your blog.

Update: TeacherWeb has recently added a classroom blog feature! Discover how it works.

Uploaded on authorSTREAM by sbrandt

Outline

• What are blogs? What is RSS?
  • Worktime: Blogs, RSS and Google Reader... iGoogle too?
• How are blogs used in the classroom?
  • Login... username (first name, last initial, dash np)... password (first and last initials, 2008, no space)
  • Example
    • Username: shawnb-np
    • Password:  sb2008
• How do you do that?
  • Worktime: Working with blogs as a student

     

    • Write a reflection post about the article you read (select one article)
    • Student and Teacher Blogs that Succeed
    • Ten habits of bloggers that win!
    • How to comment like a king (or queen!)
    • 10 ways to use blogging in the classroom
    • Blog Basics
    • Five Don'ts of Classroom Blogging
    • Getting Started With Blogging in the Classroom
    • Reflections on Student Blogging
• How do you manage student writing?
  • Using the BlogPortal vs. RSS reader
  • Moderated vs. live posting
  • Structured assignments / projects
  • Assessments and student guidelines
• How do you do that?
  • Worktime: Create a Google Reader account, writing project, and assessment rubric
• Share

TIP Sheets

• Google Reader
• iGoogle
• 21Classes.com by Edinal Public Schools

Resources

• Suggested blogging provider for teachers and students: 21Classes.com
• Why 21Classes.com?
  • In the past, I recommended EduBlogs.org. This is a great service as well, but I like the "portal" feature of 21Classes.com.
• 10 ways to use blogging in the classroom: EduBlogs article
• The Blog Readability Test
• Student/Parent/Teacher Agreement Form: Example
• Scaffolding for Struggling Students - Reading and Writing with Blogs
• Classroom Blogging Activities
• Helpful resource on activities and assessments
• More resources than you probably have time