SESSION+1+-+Intro+to+Blogging

<- Back to Main Workshop Outline =Session 1 - Introduction to Education Blogging= Chris Lott, Lead 10:15a - Noon

Outcomes

 * Understanding the role of the blog and blogging in the PLE
 * Understand advantages and disadvantages of popular blog engine choices
 * Sign up with Edublogs
 * Post to blog directly and using a client
 * Configure blog with essential customizations
 * Learn about widgets, implement particularly useful example(s)
 * Post a reflective entry considering basics of better blogging (format, media, links)

Session Outline

 *  **Time** ||  **Topic/Activity** ||
 * 10:15-10:25a || ===Of Educators and Their Blogs===
 * A quick definition of terms.
 * Why the blog? Consider: [|Soul Purpose], [|Jeremy Graston], [|Optimum West]
 * The blog's role in the PLE ||
 * 10:25-10:35 || ===Choosing a Blog Service or Engine===
 * Flexibility, Complexity, Cost
 * Hosted: [|Edublogs], Blogger, WordPress, TypePad
 * Running your own: [|WordPress], Movable Type ||
 * 10:35-10:55 || ===Blog Setup===
 * //[|Signup with Edublogs]//
 * //Access dashboard and write first post: where I live on the web.// ||
 * 10:55-11:10 || ===Blog Configuration/Settings===
 * General: tagline, timezone
 * Discussion Settings
 * //Configure Blog Settings//
 * //Activate Widget Pack// ||
 * 11:10-11:30 || ===Blogging Clients===
 * Browser: [|ScribeFire], [|Flock Blog Composer]
 * Standalone: [|LiveWriter]
 * Web-Based: [|Google Docs], [|WriteToMyBlog]
 * Integrated: [|Microsoft Word]
 * //Install ScribeFire//
 * //Use Scribefire to Post: Introduce A Neighbor// ||
 * 11:30-11:45 || ===Blog Widgets===
 * Why widgets matter (Blog qua blog, Blog qua PLE hub)
 * //Activate: Recent Comments, Recent Posts//
 * //Activate: Tag Clouds and/or Categories// ||
 * 11:45-Noon || ===Blog Pages===
 * Creating Pages
 * //Activate Contact Form plugin//
 * //Create Contact page// ||