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-INDEX OF ADVENTURES-

INTRODUCTION

Blog, short for “web log”, is an interactive internet journaling tool. Unlike traditional journals, blogs are public and facilitate collaboration and the exchange of ideas. They are powerful tools of reflection that facilitate interaction with the global community. You can participate in the “blogosphere” by creating your own blog, reading other blogs or joining in the global conversation known as blog comments.

21st Century Skills, Themes, and Characteristics

  • Collaboration
  • Reflection
  • Authenticity
  • Story

There are four adventures you can take at this station. They do not need to be done in any specific order so feel free to look around. If you have any questions, look for a docent or just ask the person next to you. Learning is a social activity. Feel free to socialize as you explore the world of blogs and blogging.

Adventure 1: Post a personal reflection on the demonstration blog
Adventure 2: Post a comment on an existing blog
Adventure 3: Set up your own personal blog site
Adventure 4: Read and explore blogs by "seasoned" bloggers

ADVENTURE 1

Objective: You will log onto an existing demonstration blog and make an original post.

DIRECTIONS

You will post an original entry as the “virtual owner of the blog. This puts you in the roll of the “blogger”. We have many powerful speakers at this year’s conference. This would be a great place to capture your first thoughts. Blogging is an informal style. Don’t worry if your ideas are not finished maturing. Blogs are a great way to capture the original thought. Others might read your entry and leave a comment that could help you modify your original thought. 21st century learning involves collaboration. Post your original thoughts regarding ideas from our speakers and let others help you develop your thoughts.

We are using Edublogs for this adventure. You can access Edublogs login screen at: http://edublogs.org/

User Name: cofdemo1
Password: naiscofdemo

  1. Click on the tab labeled “Write”
  2. Click on “Write Post”
  3. Enter a TITLE for your post then WRITE your reflection in the large box
  4. TAG your post with naisac08
  5. Click Publish to post your blog for the world to see.
  6. Click “Sign Out” in the upper right-hand corner.

Congratulations! You have just entered the world of blogging.

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ADVENTURE 2

Objective: You will comment on another individual’s blog entry.

DIRECTIONS

Go to the demonstration blog at: http://cofdemo1.edublogs.org/ . For this adventure, you do not need to be logged into the blog. Read some of the entries at this site. If you find one that sounds interesting and would like to leave a comment, click on the COMMENT link for that entry. Follow the directions on the screen. You will not need to log into the blog. This is what makes a blog a powerful tool for collaborative thought. You can easily share your ideas with the world while others may read an comment on your ideas. Go ahead! Leave a comment!

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ADVENTURE 3

Objective: You will set up your own personal blog.

DIRECTIONS

There are many different blog services available. You can choose any of these four today and simply follow the directions on the respective sites. Leave your first post then tell the world about your blog. Simply share the URL for your specific blog with anyone, and they can follow what you are thinking.

Blogging Tools

There are several ways you can join the community of bloggers. You can set up a blog through one of the many blog hosting services. You could also have your school set up a hosting service providing greater control over the blogging environment. Blog hosting services that you might consider:

Blogger
www.blogger.com

This is one of the most popular blog hosting services. Owned by Google, it is robust and easy to use.

Tumblr
http://www.tumblr.com/

This is one cool blog tool. However, it is much more than a blog. Check out the ability to post just about anyting on the web-EASILY! You need one of these. Think about how you can use this to share across distances

Bloglines
www.bloglines.com

This blog hosting service also has a robust RSS aggregator. Basic blog tool is also provided. If you use Bloglines as your RSS aggregator, this will allow you “one stop” shopping with your blog in the same environment.

Edublogs
www.edublogs.com

Edublogs is created for educators. It is powered by powerful blog software. Edublogs has many features that are attractive to educators. You can easily set permissions for who can comment on a blog to who can even see the blogs. There are student features as well.

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ADVENTURE 4

Objective: Read samples by other bloggers

DIRECTIONS

There are countless blogs and bloggers in the world today. Why would you want to read another person’s thoughts while they were developing? Why do some of the top thinkers and writers also feel the need to blog? When Malcolm Gladwell writes for the New Yorker or publishes a book, people read and take notice. So why does he feel the need to blog? In this adventure, you are encouraged visit several blogs and examine the content. Think about why these people are blogging. Why are people reading these blogs (and they ARE reading them!). Find a blog you like, you can add them to your blog roll. A blog roll is a way to share with others the blogs you like to follow. This is the blogosphere equivalent of Favorites. Each blog tool has a way to save sites to a blog roll. You will need to review the specifics within your new blog.

Enjoy your reading!

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