Blogging

In Language Teaching

A beginnner’s guide to the wonderful world of weblogs!

• learn what a Blog is• look at some Blogs• identify the types of blogs• learn how to set up a Blog

Aim: In this session we will ……

VIDEO

So what is a Blog?

A website that can be easily and frequently updated without using complicated software. Blogging is easy, any OLD fool can do it even me!!

They contain:

•Fresh content; many are updated daily

•Personal content; many blogs are public diaries, online journals of everyday events

They can include written text only; pictures or photos (photoblogs); or even audio and video.

There are personal blogs, professional blogs, educational blogs, topical blogs etc.

Some examples of blogs

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/ Best resource sharing blog from Larry Terrazzo talking about websites that will help you teach English!

http://nikpeachey.blogspot.com/ Lead Practitioner for ICT in Language teaching – fantastic ideas and how to put them into practice!

http://tasteach.edublogs.org/ A middle school teacher in Australia experiencing blogging.

http://azargrammar.com/grammarGuy/ Richard Firsten is one of my favourite grammar wonks and writes the Grammar Guy blog for AzarGrammar.com.

Types of Blogs in Language Teaching

Tutor Blog

Teachers may use a blog to provide their learners with

•news and comments on issues;•extra reading practice or homework;•online links;•a summary of a class for learners who were unable to attend;•study tips;•and so on …

http://mrcraig.edublogs.org/

http://fwe2.motime.com/

http://wlane.edublogs.org/

Student BlogStudent’s personal online space

• may be best suited for reading and writing classes

• a learner journal where students can record their thoughts and reflections on learning

• a showcase for student writing, experiences, thoughts, photos etc.

• a great way to individualise learning (self-examination and self-reflection)

http://michaelmagrath.wordpress.com/

http://tamakips.blogspot.com/

Class Blog e-learning community

• a free-form bulletin board• reading and writing classes• project-based language learning• international classroom language exchange

http://welcometoaban.blogspot.com/

http://epencil.edublogs.org/

Teachers often use a combination of Tutor or Class and Learner blogs, with hyperlinks connecting them http://tasteach.edublogs.org/

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Why blog?

• To provide extra reading practice for students.• To guide students to online resources appropriate for

their level.• To increase the sense of community in a class.• To encourage students to participate.• To stimulate out-of-class discussion.• To encourage a process-writing approach • etc.

Firstly you need a platform for your blog

The easiest way of creating a blog is to use a blogging sevice.

Popular blogging free services:

I want a blog!!

As with all things, they all have their good and bad points!

Purpose: Why are you blogging? (Interaction between you and your students? Information?)

Audience : For whom are you blogging? (Your students? Your colleagues? Anyone who is interested?)

Content: About what are you blogging? (Is it a diary? Is it for enrichment? Is it to motivate your pupils?)

Before you start …

Some things to consider before you start your Blog

Next…

Successful blogging!

Some “decoration” for your blog!

Photos Search engine

Local weather

Local time

Video player

Audio player

Bookmarks Survey

Sitemeter

Cluster Map

Calendar

Now you’ve got your Blog, you want it to be interesting. Adding sidebar items is a way to do that. Here are some ideas…look at other Blogs and see other possibilities!