Below are notes prepared for a today’s WordPress session.
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What is a blog?
In my opinion, a blog is the hub of all 21st century learning tools.
Wikipedia currently defines web design as, “Web page design is a process of conceptualization, planning, modeling, and execution of electronic media content delivery via Internet…” You’ve seen this cycle before. It mirrors the Teaching/Learning Cycle. 
Plan, Teach, Assess, Evaluate. Using WordPress as a web site building tool, you can plan out a clear design full of the content you want your audience to access, understand, and synthesis into their own daily behaviors. It’s much like casting an idea out there and waiting to hook someone on it’s juiciness. By paying attention to your audience you can assess how relevant the information you want to share is. Is it accessible? Is it organized? Is it what your audience needs or wants? A web site, like a lesson, should always be in the process of creation and refinement. And like teaching, the critical element to a great lesson is planning. Be sure to plan out a site that meets the needs of your audience and purpose.
How do I subscribe?, Where can I find examples of classroom blogs?, Example
Why would I want to use a blog with students?
- ask questions receive feedback
- your audience can subscribe to your blog
- provide students a place to publish their work
- provide a tool for easily accessing your peer’s writing
- organize resources for learners
- receive feedback from peers and colleagues
- share news/ideas
- archive resources for future retrieval
- facilitates asynchronous learning/sharing
- online portfolio that is easily searchable
Once you have an idea for blogging, get started.
STEP 1: Plan out your site. Keep in mind your audience and purpose.
STEP 2: Find a place to host your site. If you work for Aurora Public Schools. You can register for a WordPress blog. There are many places to host your blog for free.
STEP 3: Use available tutorials to assist you in launching and designing a blog that best meets your audience’s needs.
- Creating Your Site (.doc)
- Configuring Your WordPress Account (.doc)
- Managing your Blog(.doc)
- One Place> Atomic Learning > WordPress
STEP 4: As you receive feedback, refine your site. Continually update it with blog entries, documents, images, audio, video and links.
STEP 5: Considering purchasing your own domain name that is easy to remember. For example, rather than telling people to go to http://apscms.net/staffpages/cjearthtree… I can just say go to earthtree.org. That is much easier to say and much easier to remember. There are many places to get domain names. One such place is www.godaddy.com. You can purchase a domain name there. Then setup an automatic forward. This way when people go to your site, they are automatically forwarded to your blog.
New Vocabulary?: blog, blogroll, widget
Do not use abrasive powders, soap, detergents or petroleum based cleaners
