DQ #1 – Kick Start Your Blogging – Tips For Getting Started
By now, everyone participating should have created a blog on some blogging platform or another. To further our learning, reply (upper right corner) to this post reflecting on the following questions:
What was hard and what was easy about setting up a new blog?
What do you need to remember to share with students or fellow educators who are setting up their own blog for the first time?
If you have had your blog for a while, what do you wish you would have known when you were starting out that you know now?
We also encourage you to reply to one or two comments left by your colleagues as we continue the discussion.
Mrs B, 
msneville, 
Tracy Watanabe 11:22 pm on January 16, 2011 Permalink |
I am new to blogging, and had set my blog up in October. I found naming the blog was difficult. I decided to go with the “WWWs of Watanabe” theme and named it wwwatanabe.blogspot.com But, now that I see your tips for naming, I’m wondering if I should have gone a different route. I plan on sharing your tips with others who set up blogs.
If I knew then what I know now, I’d rethink a few things such as where I’d host my blog. I love the ease of the blog and have had no problems with it at all. However, now that students visit my blog I look at it with new eyes. You see, I hadn’t noticed the “Next Blog” link at the top of my blog. I’m wondering if one of these days that “Next Blog” link will be more like a “Life is a Box of Chocolates” link, because if they click on it, you never know what they might get!
Luciana 3:32 pm on January 17, 2011 Permalink |
Just trying.
Luciana 3:38 pm on January 17, 2011 Permalink |
Sorry for the previous post. I hadn’t been able to post through Chrome or Firefox, so I tried the Explorer, and here I am.
Well, the first activity was quite easy for me because I had already created a blog for the school I work at, and the hardest part I think is still to come. Maybe writing interesting posts.
Miss W. 4:16 pm on January 17, 2011 Permalink |
This comment is from Drew http://drewillis.edublogs.org/ who is still having problems with anti-spam words.
I have been blogging for several months, but not consistently. I think that is the most important thing to remember about blogging. All the pretty templates, widgets, etc. are not going to do you any good if you don’t blog on a regular basis.
I agree with mrsmichalak that step-by-step instructions on setting up a blog would be great. I would really like to see the help files available as a pdf. I seem to spend a lot of time digging around for what I need to know.
Oh yes, everyone . . . don’t forget this is supposed to be fun. It is not just another part of our jobs. Most of us are blogging voluntarily.
Norma Terrigno 8:56 am on January 26, 2011 Permalink |
Ha, Ha, Ha! Yes, many of us are blogging voluntarily and it seems that once you begin it is difficult to stop. Some of us expand on one blog and others just get the itch to invent other blogs related to other subjects. Did some of us start a blog simply as a way to gather and store information along with colorful images to entice young learners / parents / other teachers? Yes, the idea of a step by step guide is fabulous for some individuals who visit the internet for productivity / creativity. Perhaps some schools would benefit greatly from a series of special workshops conducted by peers that have already managed to understand and used the entire process. What can begin as simple can turn into an entire department or school blog just for initial fun plus learning.
avandette 1:43 pm on January 18, 2011 Permalink |
It has been a long time since I’ve “blogged” so I’m trying my luck at the advanced level. At the moment I am just experimenting and trying to make sense of it all before inviting my students to start a conversation. It’s a lot of fun!
avandette 7:24 pm on January 18, 2011 Permalink |
I forgot to add how important it is to require deadlines for students to do their post. A blog is worthless without participants! When I did my blogging five years ago I found that they didn’t post just like they won’t read a book during their own time.
leaannw 10:01 pm on January 18, 2011 Permalink |
I love the idea of blogging. The problem I have is with deciding how it should look at the inception. I tried blogging a couple years ago with my high school technology class and they DID not grasp that a blog is not private and is not your diary. I have since tried to educate my students more PRIOR to blogging and am working on making this a reality in their classrooms.
allisoncaron 11:18 am on January 19, 2011 Permalink |
Hi there. Do you think it’s possible to blog with elementary students? I might give it a whirl with fifth graders, especially if I get to keep this job next year.
I’m afraid I’m not going to get the hang of this at all.
juselig 8:00 pm on January 20, 2011 Permalink |
My goal is to model blogging to my grade 2-3 students. I think it can be done.
SuzanneC 7:43 pm on January 23, 2011 Permalink |
Hi! I am the tech teacher at an elementary school. We have teachers blogging at the 5th and 7th grade level. Our 1st gr teacher is ready to try now. We have ised them for specific project collaboration so far and it’s been great ! Good luck.
dinahhunt 2:53 pm on April 6, 2011 Permalink |
I’d suggest Kidblogs. Easy to set up. The no frills makes it user friendly. One friend of mine set up a successful blog with his 2nd graders. The principal was on-board right from the start. First post consisted of students rewriting their blog promise to use the tool correctly.
Ziggy 3:36 pm on June 21, 2011 Permalink |
I’m blogging in the voice of my dog with my third grade students this summer. My dog, Ziggy, is the “host” of the blog, and it is going great so far!! It took only a few technology classes to introduce them to how to write comments and give them some practice before school let out. They were instantly enthused and we were off and running. It’s a great way for them to share their summer, keep in touch with their school friends and practice keyboarding and writing skills. So far, so good:) I recommend it!
lstryker 6:32 pm on January 19, 2011 Permalink |
Hi leaannw,
I have a suggestion that I came across a while ago that I’ll pass along. Have your students read other exemplary blogs first to get the idea of what should be happening. There are so many technology blogs out there I am sure you can find a couple to share with them. I think we tend to forget that the students are not as computer literate as we assume they are. Also, a good class blog is a team effort. It’s about conversation and collaboration. (Now if can only get that to happen in real life
).
leaannw 10:45 am on January 27, 2011 Permalink |
Thanks for the input! I appreciate it!
leaannw 10:48 am on January 27, 2011 Permalink |
I forgot to put my blog url…
http://themusingsoflaw.edublogs.org/
karenwalsh 9:25 am on January 29, 2011 Permalink |
I agree, I tried a homework blog a few years ago with a pretty weak class, they could post their homework on the edublogs blog and ask questions if they wanted, but I found that they replied with bebo or facebook type replies not homework (Hi miss!! great website etc). Lots of them didn’t even have access to a computer or the internet at all which surprised me. http://karenwalshroom3.edublogs.org. My next attempt will be here.
allisoncaron 11:15 am on January 19, 2011 Permalink |
I’m getting a really late start on this – I started at the beginning of the month but things got busy and well… I got ‘blogged’ down. My new start is here (http://mrscaron.blogspot.com/) and I welcome comments. Please!
The easy part is to figure out how I want to use my blog. I’ve just been hired to finish out the year for a technology teacher going out on leave. The blog is to provide a space for kids and their parents to access educational games and web sites, chosen by me, and also to access homework assignments and related resources.
The hard parts – and there are many – are overwhelming right now. For one thing, I understand BLogger better than edublogs. I’d like to blow away my old blog on Edublogs (http://acaron.edublogs.org/) but can’t figure out how. When I go to the Dashboard, I don’t have a ‘Settings’ submenu. WHY??
allisoncaron 11:26 am on January 19, 2011 Permalink |
I added the extension activity to my blog at http://mrscaron.blogspot.com.
lstryker 6:23 pm on January 19, 2011 Permalink |
I also am getting a late start to this. I am resurrecting an old blog and using it for practice until I get sorted out. The address is : http://lstryker.edublogs.org/ I would like to use the blog as a resource for the school library.
The most difficult part of putting the blog together will be writing posts that will be interesting enough for people to return.
The Teacher Challenge is a great opportunity to revisit my blog and get some support and ideas – enough to make it stick this time. I would also like to get comfortable enough with the technology so I can help others who are thinking of using blogs in their classroom.
Glad to be here with you all during this cold and snowy January!
Ellen 10:44 pm on January 23, 2011 Permalink |
Hello lstryker. I am also tring to put some puzzle pieces together and resurrecting an old blog. My blog will be used for a teacher training course in Mexico, where funny enough, no one has previously used blogs but so far all students had heard of them and wanted to use them.
The address is http://teachingknowledge.wordpress.com/.
I think many of us are here for the same things…we’re trying to catch up in all aspects. It’s good to know we are not alone and there is a place for us to learn, isn’t it?
dinahhunt 11:09 pm on February 12, 2011 Permalink |
I echo your post. I too am a bit late in starting this activity. The most difficult part? It is frightening to think that I could have something to say that someone else finds interesting. Normally, I’m not at a loss for words. http://dinahhunt.edublogs.org/
Jfull 9:24 pm on January 19, 2011 Permalink |
I found the format for edublog to be more challenging than other blog hosts. I am using Blogger for this teacher challenge. The hardest part I feel is coming up with interesting page titles. Also narrowing down how much information I put in a post. The easiest part was formating my blog to look colorful and user friendly.
What do you need to remember? Check your settings! When I first started my blog my settings were set for only members to leave comments. Many of my friends and followers are not in education nor do they have blog memberships. Once a few people told me they couldn’t leave comments, it dawned on me to check my settings. I just thought no one was interested in commenting!
I don’t know a whole lot about blogs. I learn from those around me. I do like when people share great links that I can post on my blog.
cfairman 12:06 pm on January 20, 2011 Permalink |
I am a returning subscriber of edublogs, but my account had set dormant and I never used its full capability. I am looking forward to learning. A little behind and working on catching up. Nice to know I am in good company. When I set up my first blog I wish I had a better understanding of categories and other settings to assist with organization and functionality.
My advice to teachers is that they immerse themselves in a blog project before using it with students. Create a blog to use with family or friends, or maybe to share a hubby. But use it first.
Looking forward to next challenge.
Kerrie Street 9:45 pm on January 27, 2011 Permalink |
I completely agree with your comments here. You really do have to use it and understand it before you then teach it to your students.
juselig 7:59 pm on January 20, 2011 Permalink |
I began a professional blog last Fall, still learning as I go. There is so much I’d like to accomplish that I overwhelm myself at times. I really want to start blogging with my students but needed this Challenge to help me with the “details”. I am looking forward to support ideas while experiemnting with this blog.
juselig 8:02 pm on January 20, 2011 Permalink |
Oops. Link: http://seligstars.edublogs.org/ (Please be kind).
kshay 7:00 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
I’m still new to blogging. I agree with you about having the Challenge to help the “details”.
Maria Laura 10:57 am on January 21, 2011 Permalink |
Hi! I just began learning about blogs, and although I’ve created a blog in blogger, I did it only for a course I was takng. My idea now is to learn about using a class blog, and blogging in general.
Thanks to a webinar, I’ve discovered this teacher challenge. I’m a little behind but hopeful to move forward soon and learn tons of new things. Thanks for the possibility!
Ellen 10:34 pm on January 23, 2011 Permalink |
Hello Maria Laura
I also just got started, and have also created a blog which did not meet my expectations because I knew so little about how to set it up and use it. I am also hoping to learn how to use a class blog successfully with my students. Looking forward to catching up with you. Ellen
Mr Laidlaw 3:45 am on January 23, 2011 Permalink |
The hardest part for me was getting used to the terminology: post, publish, comment, dashboard, widget, tags, themes, categories, class roll, the post toolbar and so on, as well as how to operate them all. it is like learning a new language. The easy part turned out to be using themes and publishing. It was exciting for me and the students seeing it all appear on the Blog!
I think the only thing I have to share is just tackling one thing at a time and not worrying too much about all the amazing things that some people are doing with their blogs, although it is nice to keep adding to the repertoire!
I wish that I had known how good the help desk was at the beginning and how helpful Sue Waters has been. In the beginning I didn’t realise that the response to “Help!” would be so prompt and full of information.
colbyholland 10:49 pm on February 13, 2011 Permalink |
I’ll agree with you there on the new terminology aspect. I just jumped into this (web 2.0, social media, bloging, wiki, etc) last week. It has been a challenge but the more I work with it, the more I am understanding.
Colby
Suzanne C 7:39 pm on January 23, 2011 Permalink |
While I had a personal movie blog for a number of years, this is a new adventure into the professional arena. Setting up the blog was fairly simple and fun. Reading others’ blogs has given me a slight pause — they are really good and offer quite a bit in their posts. I think the hardest part is what to write. I love technology and enjoy sharing with my colleagues, I just hope to make my blog an “effective” one.
I will take it one day at a time and let my voice develop as I go. I am really enjoying this Challenge.
Kerrie Street 9:43 pm on January 27, 2011 Permalink |
Hi Suzanne
A personal movie blog sounds wonderful. It is important as you note to think of what to write from a professional perspective.
Cheers, Kerre
mrsbuczkowski 4:19 pm on January 25, 2011 Permalink |
I am brand new to blogging. I am pretty computer savvy but I have to admit that I am frustrated. I can not get my dashboard to look like the tutorial. I messed around with my blog after I had it set up and I figured a lot of things out on my own.
I guess it is OK to feel frustrated when something is new. I will ask a colleague for help because I will learn the most by watching her.
Now I need to figure out exactly what I want to do with this. It should be interesting…
Miss W. 4:28 pm on January 25, 2011 Permalink |
G’day Mrs Buczkowski,
Often it is because you need to click on activate advanced admin in the top right corner of your dashboard. Remember to use the edublogs user guide if stuck and your colleague can’t help you.
cswetavage 5:17 pm on January 25, 2011 Permalink |
What was hard about setting up my blog was trying to determine what format/theme to choose and if I wanted to pay a fee or use the free version. Since I am new to this, I am using the free version (with ads) and trying to decide which theme works best for my purpose (a potential class blog). What was easy about setting up a new blog was the user-friendly options that Edublogger has to offer. It should be easy to guide a group of students on how to comment on my blog or (if older) set up their own free Edublog.
I will need to remember to share with students or fellow educators who are setting up their own blog to choose their user name wisely (especially students) to set their privacy settings appropriately.
I have had my blog for a while and I wish I had a challenge similiar to this when I initially set it up to guide me through all the various elements of blogging. I will be fun to learn them now so that I can be proficient!
Carla Jefferson 5:40 pm on January 25, 2011 Permalink |
I started my first classroom blog in October – through wordpress http://mrsjeff2u.wordpress.com. I switched over to edublogs just this week http://mrsjeff2u.edublogs.org. I initially had a difficult time deciding whether I should go pro and decided to stay with the free trial until I’m sure I’m going to stick with this platform. My blog is used as my classroom webpage so I want it to be user friendly for parents and interesting enough that students will want to spend time there. It was easy to set up the basics and I’ve been able to peruse other websites to get some ideas!
mshitzges 8:49 pm on January 25, 2011 Permalink |
Hello,
I am a new blogger and I have a million questions. I requested a mentor but not heard anything yet. I am having trouble linking my wordle to my blog. I am using the free version of edublog.
It is important to sensor what information you have on your blog. If I would have know that before I started, I would have used a different user name.
Miss W. 9:17 pm on January 25, 2011 Permalink |
G’day Ms Hitzges,
You are on my list for a mentor and I will be allocating her today. It will be Jenny Smith on the mentor list but I haven’t sent her your email address yet. PS Email has now been sent, you should hear from her soon.
Miss W. 11:56 pm on January 25, 2011 Permalink |
G’day Ms Hitzges,
You can change your username on your blog, what you can’t change is the URL for your blog. (URL is the part starting with http://)
mrsrnsclass 11:05 pm on January 26, 2011 Permalink |
I started my blog (I’d never had one before let alone left a comment on one) as a platform to display my Year 1/2 student’s work about “Bear & Chook”. I also wanted to give my parents the opportunity to see some of the students work in a public (students & Parents) domain. I also wanted to expose my students to blogging and give them the opportunity to create blog comments as a class.
The most difficult thing I found was setting up the pages and putting the kids work on the blog. So when I had the opportunity to do the Teacher Challenge I thought this would give me the skills to do things I want to.
Kerrie Street 9:40 pm on January 27, 2011 Permalink |
I have engaged with blogging for a couple of years now, but only on and off. I have an Edublog account which I set up when I was facilitating an elearning course with TAFE colleagues. I used this for about a year. The Department of Education then brought in BlogED which I used for the last six months to record my work in various colleges with teaching sections. I completely agree with a couple of the bloggers here, you have to blog often to make it worthwhile. It is a habit that has to be built.
The hard thing for me today has been remembering the username and password, as you will see from today’s blog.
What do you need to remember to share with students or fellow educators who are setting up their own blog for the first time?
Select a user name that will be available across a number of platforms so that you are consistent. Select a password that is at least 7 characters long and includes numbers. This can then be used for a variety of elearning platforms.
If you have had your blog for a while, what do you wish you would have known when you were starting out that you know now?
The importance of having consistency, and scheduling time to do a little bit often, rather than a lot infrequently. Good habit forming is hard work.
Miss W. 10:50 pm on January 27, 2011 Permalink |
This is actually from Lucia.
Hello, my name is Lucía, I am 43 year old, I am a teacher for 20 years. I’m from Trenque Lauquen, province of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
I created this blog as an assignment for a course I did. I think I will continue now.
http://luciatrenque.blogspot.com/
In 1994 I had access to my first computer and internet a few years later.
I have always served as Counselor Education, Teacher recuperating, teacher education colleges, within the Department of Psychology and School Social Assistance.
Since 2002 I started to train as a trainer of teachers in the use of technology and really excites me.
I have created many blogs as communities where teachers are recording their learning, but never had a personal blog. My work has been moderate and suggest tasks and reflections.
I invite you to browse (they are in Spanish):
http://cursoesencialviedma.blogspot.com/
(I created this blog for the Scout group to which I belong, I have not been able to update)
http://scoutsanmartindeporres.blogspot.com/
What was hard and what was easy about setting up a new blog?
I think the most difficult part is having enough time and creativity to keep it alive.
What do you need to remember to share with students or fellow educators who are setting up their own blog for the first time?
I am interested that the students know the scope of the privacy of the blog set according to user needs.
If you have had your blog for a while, what do you wish you would have known when you were starting out that you know now?
I think I should have a clear goal for the blog.
I am really excited with the challenge!! Thanks!!!
Lucía
aklawrence 3:47 am on January 29, 2011 Permalink |
I’m coming into this challenge later, having just found it on the net. Looking forward to working through all the PD. I found it relatively easy to set up the block, but did struggle to think of all the names – I found it a little tough thinking of a username that sounded professional for parents, students and colleagues to access, but was also something that will appeal to me.
Choosing a theme was interesting – I have opted for a free edublog site, and the themes were pre set. Found something that I like – perhaps later down the track it will be possible to personalise it more.
I am curious to know if I am doubling up – in Victoria, the Ultranet has been set up. This allows students, teachers and parents a space to communicate…and is also a place where I could write a blog. So some part of me wonders if I am creating more work for myself by starting an extenernal blog.
aklawrence 3:51 am on January 29, 2011 Permalink |
I might also add I have been part of a blog which encourage first year teachers to write about their experiences during their graduate year of teaching. I am really hoping to continue this process – therefore, I don’t particularly want students and parents looking at my blog, just other educators, but I’m unsure how to do this! Any ideas? I can set up a blog through the Ultranet for communication with parents and students.
karenwalsh 9:21 am on January 29, 2011 Permalink |
The instructions were very clear.
coach helmer 7:01 pm on February 2, 2011 Permalink |
This is the first experience that I’ve had with blogs and I am not really sure where it is going. I did find it difficult to committ to at title for my blog. I guess the next road block that I encountered was deciding what the content of the blog would be.
atahamon 3:03 pm on February 3, 2011 Permalink |
This is my first experience with blogging. I found it somewhat challenging at first. Thank goodness for technologically savvy 10 year olds. I plan on setting this up as a forum for Seneca language students and teachers alike to post best practices and share information.
The ultimate guide to get started with blogging! | Edublogs - education blogs for teachers, students and institutions 11:27 am on February 9, 2011 Permalink |
[...] Activity 1 – Getting Started Beginner – Advanced – Discussion Question [...]
silver07la 7:22 am on February 11, 2011 Permalink |
I am at the end of the session and just getting started, work became a bit more intense lately. I was not able to post, I could not get beyond the spam word initially. I hope I can today.
dinahhunt 11:15 pm on February 12, 2011 Permalink |
I came across this challenge through Twitter and it was exactly what I needed. I wanted a systematic way of really understanding what blogging was all about. My greatest challenge will be sticking with the challenge and not letting my fear of failure get the better of me. http://dinahhunt.edublogs.org/
Angela Pina 4:01 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
I am a second grade teacher, and I mainly use the edublogs site to communicate the wek’s activities with my parents. I also use it to provide links to interesting and fun sites so that my students can continue to practice or study skills that I have already presented in class. In addition, I post the spelling and vocabulary words on the site so that they are readily available should the students lose their hard copies.
kshay 6:21 pm on February 16, 2011 Permalink |
Hello to another 30 Day Challenge!!
Even though I still am beginner(I’m one of the Beginners with the recent 30 Day Teacher Challenge), I had an idea of what I was doing to create a blog. I am using Edublogs to set up my blog. I think it is easy. I’m glad go to the dashboard and go to “My Blogs’ to switch from one blog to another. http://fourmsshay.edublogs.org and http://kshay.edublogs.org.
Now the true challenge, getting the classroom blog started and keep going. I also want to keep my teacher blog going.I guess it would be called stamina or creating a routine.
I will need to address internet safety and protection and being a responsible digital citizen and do it often. Doing it as a whole group first. I would like to get the individual students listed, but I need to get the OK. The thing that I know is I have kids wondering around in the web 2.0 world and not thinking about what they are doing. I also want to remember the parents in addressing digital citizenship.
I still have a lot of learning and to remember with blogging. That is fine. There is a large group of insightful and helpful educators out here that are willing to share.Plus, the challenges will be helpful with walking me through the basics. Eventually, I want to get to the point of going through the advanced challenge. Well, first things first, getting the blog up and running
Good Luck everyone. Enjoy.
chrischuck 4:48 pm on March 8, 2011 Permalink |
So far the directions in terms of setting up the blog were easy. I can imagine that it will get more challenging, but the initial process was pretty straight forward. As far as what was hard, I think getting used to the process is the most challenging because it is so new to me since I have never designed a blog.
I believe the most important piece of information to share with students or fellow educators is to be careful that you accurately give individuals credit whose material you may use for your blog. We have to be extra careful in this digital age that we properly cite our sources to give them their due credit.
sccsinstrumental 10:43 am on March 10, 2011 Permalink |
I had an easy time setting up the blog but it was a little trickier having a unique topic.
Suzanne C 11:03 pm on March 10, 2011 Permalink |
I feel the same way — setting up was the easy part — finding something unique to write about is something else.
Good Luck to you!
/SuzanneC
sccsinstrumental 12:14 pm on March 11, 2011 Permalink |
I’d share the suggestion to think about students’ privacy first and foremost. Make sure they don’t post their name or any personal information. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something inadvertently happened to a student as a result of posting on a blog as a class assignment…and sad as it is, student oriented blogs would be a likely target.
DavidSkalski 1:00 pm on March 12, 2011 Permalink |
I agree with Albert that deadlines must be met and explained to the students first. Make sure that all student bloggers have their parent permission slips for internet usage. Setting my blo was quick, easy, and fast.
MrB 2:00 pm on March 12, 2011 Permalink |
I did not find setting up a blog very challenging. I think the students in my classes would find this process easy as well. They are seniors, who probably already have an account.
sdavis21 2:52 pm on March 13, 2011 Permalink |
I have to disagree Tom I am actually finding this to be very difficult. Not as far as starting the blog but manuevering around has been very difficult to me. I can’t seem to find anything and I have no idea why. No comments from the peanut gallery.
writerofredleaves 1:59 pm on March 13, 2011 Permalink |
The most challenging part of setting up my first blog (which this is) is simply understanding the technological lingo that is not part of my day-to-day vocab. Following the set-up instructions took me a little bit of time and re-reading because of the newness of such activities. I think my students would have the same difficulties, just because the lingo is so technical – it’s just a different type of reading. I am also surprised at how important the aesthetics of a blog are; very similar to power point presentations, etc. The audience is of the upmost importance and to create a successful blog, that purpose must be remembered. That was surprising to me.
SarahLDavis 2:06 pm on March 13, 2011 Permalink |
And I have quickly discovered that my nickname needs to be something people will recognize and relate to. So I have changed that to SarahLDavis. Makes more sense.
sdavis21 2:57 pm on March 13, 2011 Permalink |
I am not liking this website so far. I have found it to be not too user friendly. It probably is me but I am somewhat lost. I am from Silver Creek, NY and not a blogger. Never have done it before in my life but I am sure my students would be laughing at me right now because they could do this for me. My blog is at this cite http://sdavis21.edublogs.org/wp-admin/index.php
silver07la 7:23 pm on April 6, 2011 Permalink |
What was hardest was just getting through the code to access my account. I believe learning how to navigate through the site was the next hurdle, think I got it. The next will be what to write about. This is all new to me and I really like the sites i have vistied and the potential this may have in my classroom.
Wally 5:13 am on May 3, 2011 Permalink |
hi everyone,
the easiest part of setting up our new blog was the themes and the most rewarding so far the best thing is the way the kids have responded to it…. the hardest thing is organising the pictures i post and creating a media 3d picture gallerry..
when u are setting up a blog for the first time my tip is to use advanced settings to fully understand the terminology..
this is our class blog
wintersflatpsmacn.edublogs.org
thanks for reading my comment:)
Wally
drf4chemistry 7:22 am on May 8, 2011 Permalink |
It’s all gone smoothly so far – now just have to sit down and write some content! And I need a bit more practise on leaving comments and replies – I still keep scrolling around to find the right button to click on! But thanks edublogs for the helpful advice. It has spurred me into action.
sboulding 12:15 am on May 25, 2011 Permalink |
I am VERY new to this game and it’s a heck of a learning curve. I have to do establish / develop an e learning pathway for students. As a complete novice, I thought I would tackle to subject of blogging… seemed such a simple idea at the time. I have begun, http://sboulding.edublogs.org, (not sure I got that right either!) and I’m really not sure what I’m doing, just running around blind folded I think! My pages don’t appear to show, my contact page doesn’t either, none of my links appear to work and I’m about to throw the computer out the window of a 15 story building ! (only joking!… sort of, there are no 15 story buildings where I am!) Hopefully a bit more exploring and I’ll be on my way! Wish me luck!
Ronnie Burt 2:13 pm on May 25, 2011 Permalink |
Hi there! Welcome to blogging! Hopefully things are becoming more and more clear for you, but if not, feel free to send us an email at support@edublogs.org for the fastest response to your questions. I took a look at your blog and you have some great stuff already!
Mrs. Calegan 8:51 am on June 24, 2011 Permalink |
It’s comforting to know that I’m not the only one new to this. In reading others’ replies, I have learned a lot about what to expect. I’m giving it a try and see where it leads me. My goal is to have my blog up and running by the beginning of the school year for my 7th graders. My primary focus will be a place for students and parents to refer to about homework assignments and other classroom information.
I was surprised at how easy it was to set up the blog – the difficult part may be maintaining and keeping it active. Still too new to give any advice – just go for it and have fun!
mike betts 4:54 pm on June 24, 2011 Permalink |
I have tried to start blogging about 3 or 4 times but it has never really taken off. I am going to have ago at counting the hours I spend teaching and blog about it here.
http://2000hoursmoreorless.wordpress.com/
This is in support of Charles Ripley who is trying to prove that the teachers ‘summer vacation’ is not all it seems. Read his blog here.
http://2000hours.blogspot.com/
Cheryl Gates 5:01 pm on July 5, 2011 Permalink |
I’ve started blogging! Not sure exactly what I’m doing but I’ll muddle through. It’s end of term holidays so I actually have some time to play. Hopefully I’ll have some success and make contact with all the wonderful educators and their blogs I keep reading. Cheers
Blog address is:
http://Mrs8Gates.edublogs.org
Tech It Out Day- Introduction to Edublogs | Leeward CC Edublogs Workshop 1:37 pm on July 20, 2011 Permalink |
[...] the Discussion Question for activity one to reflect on your experiences with getting started with [...]
lthibodeaux 4:25 pm on August 12, 2011 Permalink |
The learning curve has begun. I was initially overwhelmed by the complex view of setting the blog up. Now I’ve switched to the simple mode and am trying to take things one step at a time. I’m hoping to use this blog to connect with my students to encourage discussion after hours and see success multiply
Ronnie Burt 4:27 pm on August 12, 2011 Permalink |
Glad to hear the easy mode is helping out! Let us know if we can help along the way! Happy blogging!
Week 1- Activity 1: Beginner | Leeward CC Edublogs 30 Day Challenge 11:09 am on September 13, 2011 Permalink |
[...] the Discussion Question for activity one to reflect on your experiences with getting started with [...]
msneville 10:33 pm on October 29, 2011 Permalink |
Choosing a theme was hard but as was suggested, I might be changing this a few times before I find the right one for my class. Setting up my students as users took a long time. I’m glad I only have to do that once a year. Good luck to all us beginners!
http://msneville.edublogs.org/
Mrs B 8:27 am on January 13, 2012 Permalink |
Hello,
I am very new to blogging and am in the process of setting up our Junior School’s first blog. I have been reading the support and guidelines manuals online as I go,but have not been able to find the answer to my problem. The notes talk about writing your “About” page.
I am using the Borderline Chaos (1.9) theme for our blog and it does not seem to have a Toolbar for the ‘Home’ or ‘ About’ links. How can I set these up?
In the meantime I have added a page to the right hand sidebar for ‘About’, but I would prefer to have a toolbar at the top in the green stripe if possible.
Please can you help me – even if it is just to direct me to a part of your website where I can find the answer?
Thank you.