BlogsAnd how to make them!

Aims of today!• How to set up your blog• How to write a post• How to insert a picture

What is a blog?• A blog is the abbreviation for the words ‘web - log’.• They function as a website.• Most blogs provide commentary on a particular

subject, or act as a diary.• A typical blog can contain text, images, audio and

links to other blogs and websites.• Most importantly, readers can leave comments,

making the blog interactive. People can subscribeto your blog, kind of like a magazine subscription.

What to use blogging for….

• Blogs can be used in wide range of contexts.• Simply as a diary for your class.• As a homework tool.• As a communication between the community.• Have a look at some of these blogs and websites for

some great ideas: http://kdivens.edublogs.org,http://edublogs.org/ (10 great ways to use your blog)http://codex.wordpress.org/Introduction_to_Blogging

To begin (if you want to useblogtown)….

• Log onto blogtownwebsite…http://blogtown.co.nz/ (todaythis is doen for you)

• Login or register……• You will then need to click next to your

blog name ‘Admin page’

The dashboard:

Design• The first step is to select what design you

want for your blog.• To do this select ‘appearance’ from the left

hand menu and then choose ‘themes’.• Some themes allow you to personalise your

blog further by including photographs. If youwant to add a photograph to your blog, youcan do so once you have selected yourtheme.

Writing a post• Select the ‘write’ tab.• Write the title for your blog.• Write your entry. It is best not to cut and

paste as this can confuse the site.

Adding an image• Before you start doing this, we need to open

a programme on your computer to enable youto shrink the file size of the photographs.

• Open your internet - enterhttp://www.resize.it/ into the tool bar.

• (cntrl + click to right click on a mac)• This will enable you to store more images

onto your blog.

Adding an image continued• O.K. So, you have your image saved on

your desktop, next back to your blog.• Just above the ‘posts’ page is a small

grey box - click here and follow theinstructions. You may need to edit yourphoto, this is possible from here too.

Visit the Site• Do this often as you can whilst you write

and make your blog. You will see whatit looks like, and how the children andparents will find navigating their wayaround it.

Finally….• It really is up to you how/if you use it! We

have links to our blogs on our school websiteto enable the teachers to publish their ownclass information.

• You can make it as interactive as you like anddon’t forget - the children can write the postsfor you.

• The more you use it, the easier it becomes tonavigate and the more ideas you will invent.