Blogs
A definition or overview of educational purposes of this application
The word Blog is derived from the combination of the words ‘web’ and ‘log’. Originally set up as a way for web-users to record their favourite sites, blogs are now more often used as log or diary. Thus their purpose is to write for an audience and to encourage feedback from their audience. For a basic outline of what they are and how they work, view the short ‘you tube’ video or see . To search for blogs use: Google Blogsearch or Technocrati.
Classroom examples
- Global Teacher Weblog – sponsored by The Education Channel (DEECD) and School Library Association of Victoria– a site for developing and publishing blogs. Gives examples and shows you how to make a blog – also gives guidelines for safe publishing
- Jo McLeay’s blog – and experienced English teacher at Mater Christi College
- John Pearce’s blog – a primary school teacher in Geelong
- Also from John Pearce - The Blog of Middle P at Bellaire Primary School, Geelong,
- Also from John Pearce - ICT reflections on a teacher blog.
- Also from John Pearce – a companion site to Simply Science
- Also from John Pearce – online collection of stories written by grade 3-4 students
- Helen Marotta - secondary school teacher
- Heather Blakey
Hint sheets on how to use the application
- Edu blogs: free blogs and instructions for how to set up, geared towards educators
- The Edublogger: Tips and help using web 2.0 technologies and edublogs
- The Education Channel - all about blogs, joining a blog and examples of outstanding blogs.
- Education.au: Funded by all Australian governments to develop technology solutions to support Australian government priorities in education, training and careers. Search using the filter tags
Some readings
[We have focused on articles that are readily available at RMIT, usually via the Library’s databases and e-journals]
- Downes, S. (2004). Educational blogging. Educause Sep/OCT 2004, p14- 26
[Offers definitions and history of blogging, with some attention to classroom use and the broader benefits of blogging] - Knoble, M.&Lankshear, C. (2004). Planning pedagogy for i-mode: From flogging to blogging via wi-fi. English in Australia, 139, p 78-102. Available from online resources
[A lengthy exploration of contemporary social practices and computer mediated communication more generally, addressing blogging’s place within the “new literacies”] - McLeay, J. (2007). Why blog with students? ICT in Education, 30(1), p 20-21
[A short article listing the positives of blogs from a teacher’s point of view] - O’Donnell, M. (2006). Blogging as pedagogic practice: artefact and ecology, Asia Pacific Media Educator, 17, p 5-19
[A more academic paper, full of great insights from recent scholarship] - Poling, C. (2005). Blog on. Building communication and collaboration among staff and students. Learning and leading with technology, 32(6), p 12-15
[Not reviewed] - Trammell, K. D. & Ferdig, R.E. (2004). Pedagogical implications of classroom blogging. Academic Exchange, Winter 2004, p 60-64
[Great short article which discusses the benefits and concerns of blogs as an educational tool, with a practical approach]