1. How to make it work:

Now that you have a blog you need to work at it.

‘Student and Teacher Blogging that Succeeds’ is an excellent post from a blogging guru which is well worth reading. Dean Shareski helps teachers succeed at blogging and identifies a few things to ensure success:

http://ideasandthoughts.org/2008/07/17/student-and-teacher-blogging-that-succeeds/

Essentially,

· Blogging is about reading blogs,

· You need to comment on other people’s blogs and get involved to be a successful blogger,

· Share what you know

· Share Links

· Use images and graphics

Keep these points in mind as you continue your blogging experience.

If you’re still not convinced there are some excellent suggestions on this site on ways to use blogs in education:

http://anne.teachesme.com/2004/10/05/ways-to-use-weblogs-in-education/

2. Tasks for TODAY:

1. Signup for Google Reader at: https://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount?service=reader You will need to give your email address and activate the account

2. Subscribe to five good blogs.

3. Comment on someone else’s blog.

4. Continue to explore.

3. My CHALLENGE to you:

Taken from my Learning Gems blog:

“I’ve decided my next blogging session will be about getting involved. I will encourage my group to read, comment, share, and learn. I will also issue them with a series of challenges:a. write a post once a fortnight (at least);

b. explore the blogosphere;

c. subscribe to a few blogs and comment on them regularly (at least once a week);

d. keep at it for at least three months and then;

e. decide if you are a blogger at heart.

Next session: Wikis in Education