Blogs+and+Blogging

=Using Blogs and Blogging in the Classroom= toc

**What is a Blog?**
[|**Blog -- (weB LOG)**] - A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is "blogging" and someone who keeps a blog is a "blogger." Blogs are typically updated daily using software that allows people with little or no technical background to update and maintain the blog. Postings on a blog are almost always arranged in chronological order with the most recent additions featured most prominently. Definition found at: http://www.matisse.net/files/glossary.html[|] See also: What is a blog? http://www.blogger.com/about.pyra

**How to Blog**
Writing effective blogs is similar to effective writing for traditional media. While sentence construction, basic grammar, and spelling are important, bloggers are often more concerned about communicating concepts. Writing rules are employed (and broken) to the degree that they support effective communication of a message. However, some differences do exist. Traditional writing is audience focused. Bloggers often write primarily for themselves or for a small group - as a way of organizing thoughts, sharing information, or creating a personal resource of links (as compared to a monolithic "Favorites" folder). The Internet is also more dynamic and media-rich than traditional media. Bloggers can incorporate audio, video, animations, and pictures...hyperlinks are also used to create connections between information and ideas. The following is a list of guidelines for beginning bloggers: This is an excerpt from: Siemens, George. (December, 2002). The Art of Blogging-Part 2. Retrieved November 14, 2003, from http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/blogging_part_2.htm
 * 1) **Start.** As stated earlier, blogging is best learned by blogging...and by reading other bloggers. So...start.
 * 2) **Know your motivation.** Why are you blogging? What do you hope to achieve?
 * 3) **Link.** The heart of blogging is linking...linking and commenting. Connecting and communicating - the purpose of the Internet.
 * 4) **Experiment.** Developing a writing style is an evolutionary process. Try different approaches and formats until you find one that fits your message, audience, and personal motivations.
 * 5) **Use life** and your experiences as your "idea generation" file.
 * 6) **Get an opinion.** Then express it.
 * 7) **Express your personality**...let your humour, your perspective on life, and your values shine in your writing.
 * 8) **Post regularly.** This is important - readers drop off/lose interest with irregular blogs (syndication and aggregators allow blog readers to stay in touch with infrequently updated blogs - more on that in the section "Extending Blogs").
 * 9) **Keep writing clear** and concise. Avoid jargon...but utilize the unique aspects of the medium (visual, links, sound). Focus on communication (function) before form.
 * 10) **Write for a reason**, not recognition. Most bloggers have small audiences. Satisfaction is derived from the writing process, not the audience response.

**Examples of Blogs**
Iraqi girl http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com/ Secret Life of Bees Blog http://central.hcrhs.k12.nj.us/bees

More Resources
Additional Commenting Resources**
 * [|"Second Nature - Extending Dialogue in the Blogosphere"] by Lani Ritter Hall for the K12 Online Conference 06
 * Anne Davis Wiki page on significant comments[| http://adavis.pbwiki.com/Significant%20Comments]
 * From the “The Blogging Ballet”, Act 4: A Pirouette: Commenting[| http://newballetcommenting.blogspot.com/]
 * From Vicki Davis, ”How to comment like a king (or queen!)”[| http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2006/08/how-to-comment-like-king-or-queen.html]