Blog+Tips+and+Ideas

=//**Blogging 101**//=



Common Elements of a Blog
(from PBS Media Shift http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2006/05/digging_deeperyour_guide_to_bl.html) There have been quite a few online shouting matches over what elements every blog should have to be considered a blog. Let’s just say that the following are common elements of a blog (though they don’t show up on every blog):
 * Headline**: Each post has a headline or title to tell you what it’s about.
 * Blog post**: The main text or the article, sometimes with photos or videos.
 * Permalink**: A web address that will bring you to that particular blog post. Short for “permanent link.”
 * Comments**: A forum that runs below each blog post, allowing readers to give their own opinion on the post. Bloggers can turn comments on or off, or can filter them to keep out abusive commentary or spam.
 * Trackback**: A way to show other blogs that have linked to a particular blog post.
 * RSS feed**: A news feed that allows you to subscribe to a blog, thereby getting headlines or full text from the blog in your RSS news reader or personalized news page such as [|My Yahoo] or [|Google Homepage]. You can learn more about RSS [|here].
 * Blogroll**: This is a kind of shout-out to other blogs that the blogger likes or recommends. It’s a simple list of links to other blogs that runs in the sidebar of a blog.
 * Bio or About page**: Explanatory page that explains who the blogger is, what the blog is about, and how to contact the blogger.

Blogging Accetable Use/Etiquette Thoughts...
From the blog Expressions in English - [|Blogging Guidelines] = =
 * Students using blogs are expected to treat blogspaces as classroom spaces. Speech that is inappropriate for class is not appropriate for your blog. While we encourage you to engage in debate and conversation with other bloggers, we also expect that you will conduct yourself in a manner reflective of a representative of this school.
 * Student blogs are to be a forum for student expression. However, they are first and foremost a tool for learning, and as such will sometimes be constrained by the various requirements and rules of classroom teachers. Students are welcome to post on any school-appropriate subject at any time, outside of their classroom requirements.
 * Never EVER EVER give out or record personal information on your blog. Your blog exists as a public space on the Internet. Don’t share anything that you don’t want the world to know. For your safety, be careful what you say, too. Don’t give out your phone number or home address.
 * Your blog is a public space. And if you put it on the Internet, odds are really good that it will stay on the Internet. Always.
 * Never link to something you haven’t read.
 * Students who violate the agreements here shall forfeit their right to school Internet access and will face other sanctions deemed appropriate by the administration.

**Blog Review Checklist**

 * **Audience:** What words would your readers use to describe your blog? What do they like best about your site? How will they visit your site? Do the members need email addresses? Will parents view the entries? How will I share my blog presence with parents? Do I need to create a parent letter?
 * **Purpose/Objective:** What is the purpose of your blog? Why does it exist? Is the purpose stated plainly where your readers can see it? How well does your blog meet that purpose?
 * **Name:** What name will describe my blog? Is it unique and descriptive?
 * **Content:** How well does the content support the purpose? Is the content readable, interesting, accurate, entertaining, and appropriate for your audience?
 * **Software:** Which blogging software will I use to create my blog? Is it easy to use? Does it allow for easy entries by the students?
 * **Design:** How well does the look of the blog communicate the kind of blog it is? Is navigation easy and intutive? Do items flow naturally from the first to the next? Do the color palette, image, and type choices support the content or call attention away from it?
 * **Posts:** Do your posts reflect the unique purpose and style of your blog? Do they offer variety and interest within your blog’s purpose and theme?
 * **Comments:** Do you read and respond to comments to form a sense of community? Consider which posts get most comments and which get none. How does that effect the topics that you’re posting?
 * **Technical Issues:** Have you checked lately to see if your hyperlinks are current? Have you overdone the use of plug-ins and gadgets, making the experience more confusing than fun?
 * **Tutorials:** How will I demonstrate the site to my students? Will they need hands-on instruction?