Bloggin' the Day Away!

To Blog, or not to Blog? -- That is today's question!

A weB LOG (blog) is simply a website that is readily accessible for the author to add content. They usually contain reflections, comments, and, often, hyperlinks. The entries are typically arranged in reverse chronological order and are searchable. Readers have the ability to publish comments to the page, as well. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, it is, and it isn't!

I will admit, I don't think I had ever read a blog before the start of this course. I look back now and wonder what kind of a bubble I lived in and I am in awe of all the things I was missing! There is such a vast amount (and quality) of information available, if only you go looking. Well, and jumping ahead to a later post, you don't even have to go looking! If you set things up correctly, your computer will do that work for you!

I struggled a bit with blogging initially. I was intimidated by the publicness of my thoughts and my fear of "being wrong" was very inhibiting. I found my groove, at least somewhat, I think. (However, writing a statement like that makes some of my prior inhibitions resurface. What if people reading this disagree? What if they think I am too cocky? What if...)

Be bold, Niki, be bold! I have come to enjoy blogging. I actually do have something to contribute and a blog is a great venue for sharing. It has a "take it or leave it" feel to it and, let's face it, most people are too polite to be blatantly rude to you in a comment on your blog!

I look forward to the days that our blog posts are due for two reasons. I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I have completed my blog and I also look forward to reading my classmates' blogs. (A big shout out to them -- What a great job you are all doing! Find the links to their pages on my sidebar.)

Through class discussion we delved into the idea of finding our voice in the "edublogosphere" and I felt that while I didn't have too much of a voice at this time, I wanted to be conscious of etiquette and decisions that would help me start off on the right foot. I also realized the importance of role models and the impact the "right" people can have on our own voice.

Robin Good's "Master New Media" site offers ten tips for creating a successful blog:

1. Stay on topic - All contents should relate to a general theme
2. Be informative - Provide accurate information and be sure to clarify what is editorial
3. Old news is not news - Information presented should be current
4. Adhere to a schedule - Keep your audience with regular communication
5. Clarity and simplicity - Keep entries clear and easy to understand
6. Keyword-rich - Include relater key-words in title of blog
7. Quantity matters - Develop content and substance
8. Frequency - Update frequently to increase search engine spidering
9. Spell checking and proofreading - Think carefully about what you post
10. RSS - Increase readership and distribution

Five blogs that I have found to be good role models and I have learned to value their musings are: (I am very well aware there are MANY more, but as a newbie, I had to start small and manageable!)

• Lee Kolbert's "A GeekyMomma's Blog"
• Vicki Davis' "Cool Cat Teacher Blog"
  
• Doug Johnson's "Blue Skunk Blog"
• Michael Stephens' "Tame The Web"
• Curtis Bonk's "TravelinEdMan"

When I am ready to sift through more voices, I plan to examine some of the blogs that are linked on the blogs that I follow. Sort of a FOAF idea! (Friend of a friend!) It can also be helpful to search out new (to you) blogs through something like the Edublog Award nominees lists.

Blogging for Professional Development

As mentioned, I believe in the power of role models. Exposure to "the greats", whomever you may think they are, will help guide you. Read their blogs, listen to their podcasts, enjoy their images, follow their links... There is a lot to be exposed to! When you are ready to soak up even more information, find more voices to follow!

Reading relevant blogs can build your own knowledge, find new and current information, and expand your horizons. However, authoring a blog can also be integral to your professional development. It provides an opportunity to be reflective and bring your own learning to a more conscious level. It also allows you the opportunity to benefit from other people's perspective and advice shared through your blog.

Use of Blogs In Schools

Will Richardson, in Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms, details some key uses for blogs in schools. (p. 20-26)

• Class portal - Communicate information about the class and archive materials.
• Online filing cabinet - Students post work for peer or teacher review.
• E-Portfolio - A natural progression once students' work is online. Include a reflection and continue over time.
• Collaborative space - Students can work together to create a product, like a book study.
• Knowledge management and articulation - Internal school communication.
• School website - Communicate information with students, parents and the community. Easy to update.

What's Next?

Can I do it? Can I push myself to continue to learn new technologies and post on the Card Comment? Time will tell, I guess!

I am very keen to establish a classroom blog once I return to work. I would like to include important classroom information, curriculum links, pictures (either "as is" or in an Animoto video), classroom/school calendar, and student created content. I was very impressed by Rob McDonald's classroom blog, "The Dog Pound" (referenced in my blog on Animoto), and would like to model mine after his. Through the Classroom 2.0 Ning I have been in contact with Rob and he has very kindly offered to support me in my endeavour! Exciting! (Isn't it amazing how small the world can become with technology!)