WP5-Blogs

Developed by TESOL Technology Advisory Committee (TAC)
 * White Paper on Technology**


 * Topic:** Blogs
 * URL or URLs:**

Blogs are generally free online web page creation sites, with certain restrictions on organizations, and which allows vistors to comment. ... [| Wikipedia] reports the following "blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal [|online diaries]. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs. Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on [|art] ([|artlog]), [|photographs] ([|photoblog]), [|sketchblog], [|videos] ([|vlog]), [|music] ([|MP3 blog]), [|audio] ([|podcasting]) are part of a wider network of [|social media]. [|Micro-blogging] is another type of blogging which consists of blogs with very short posts." The [|Internet Public Library] has an extensive cataloged list of blogs that have already been created on many different topics. It also has some useful definitions and uses for blogs.
 * Purpose of White Paper:**

Blogs are very useful ways of creating pages for classes. They can be used as starting points for your students, with links to sites you want them to see. They can also be used as conversation starters, where students have to find out some information (either by reading your blog, or following a link) and then responding on the blog itself.
 * Why you need this information:**

The following sites are examples of places where you can host a blog. You will need to create an account, and then you can start editing your own page: [|BlogExplosion]: Another seemingly independent blog site. [|Blogger]: Google's blog page. Also includes "Blogspot" which used to be independent. [|Bloglines]: This is supported by IAC media, and seems to be related to the website ask.com. This also has news feeds (RSS) on the side that you can choose to keep track of. [|BlogSome]: Uses WordPress themes, may be related. Another free site. [|LiveJournal]: Seems to be somewhat independent. [|TypePad]: Amazingly a pay site for blogging. $4.95/month for one blog. Wow. $14.95/mo unlimited. [|WordPress]: A spiffy looking free blogging site, includes widgets and other non-blogging features. [|Xanga]: Another free blogging site.
 * Links to Example sites:**

The following blogs are already created, on the topics indicated: [|The Hungry Cyclist]: A blog on food and cycling. Has some interesting recipes. [|Educational Bloggers Network]: A blog of educators from the San Francisco Bay area. [|MedPundit]: A blog by a physican, who is no longer blogging, on issues dealing with medical science. There are all sorts of political blogs, and this just goes to show that these are personal, not generally supported by any kind of resources. They are good for teaching critical thinking skills.

Blog source webpages [|Technorati]: This is a web based compendium of blogs. People can create accounts to advertise their blogs, and this also categorizes blogs for you to find.

Varies with each site. Some examples are below. [|Blogger]: Create an account (a user name and password). Choose a name for the blog (something.blogger.com). You can have multiple blogs with one account. Choose a setup. Start typing. It is that easy. If you already have a google account, you already have a blogger account. [|Bloglines]: Create an account by giving them one of your e-mail addresses. Then you can start creating blogs. Oh, you will need a password. [|LiveJournal]: A bit more of a complicated entry process, including typing a graphic non-spam message and your birthdate (the correct one if you like - though it seems to think a false one is bad). [|WordPress]: Type in a user name, and password. Check their security box, and whether you want a blog or just a username, and you're done!
 * How to register:**

Most blogs have settings that are specific to it. Usually you are able to choose some sort of template or theme. The boon and bane of the blog is that there isn't that much adaptability. It makes it easy to create, but hard to create what you want. Sometimes. If you aren't too picky, you can usually do something nice.
 * How to get started:**

Other preferences that you'll want to set up are if you want everybody to see your blog (make it public) or if you want to limit access. Some allow this, some you have to pay for this, some this isn't an option. It is a good idea to make it as private as possible, especially if you are working in a primary or secondary institution. If this isn't possible, it is best if your students keep as much personal information off the blog as possible.

Another aspect of the blogging experience is comments. This is very useful for classroom applications. It might also be a problem if too many people have access (though, generally, most people won't comment on something that is not of interest to them. If you create a political blog, watch out. But if it is just about your students weekend, well it might be read, but probably nobody will comment. Still, you sometimes have the option of limiting comments to specific users. You can create a user pool by your students' e-mail address, and add them to your blog. They will then be able to comment, and others will not. This is not always available.

There are usually plenty of other settings, and you can usually import different types of media into your blog (sometimes useful). Of course, none of this is as important as the actual content. You are now ready to start, get blogging!