3. Introduction to Blogs
• Definition
• In education
• Start blogging
• Blogs in practice: ideas for the
class
4. BLOGS: Definition (1)
A blog (a blend of the term web log) is a type of
website or part of a website. Blogs are usually
maintained by an individual with regular entries of
commentary, descriptions of events, or other
material such as graphics or video. Entries are
commonly displayed in reverse chronological order.
Most blogs are interactive, allowing visitors to leave
comments and even message to each other on the
blogs and it is this interactivity that distinguishes them
from other static websites.
(source: wikipedia)
5. BLOGS: Definition (2)
• Focus on a particular subject (news, politics, fashion,
education…)
• Some are more personal: online diaries, travelblogs,
babyblogs
• A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other
blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic.
• The ability for readers to leave comments in an
interactive format is an important part of many blogs.
• Most blogs are primarily textual, although some focus on
art, photographs (photoblog), sketchblog, videos (vlog),
music (MP3 blog), audio (podcasting).
• As of 16 February 2011, there were over 156 million
6. Definition of a Blog
in a language learning context
“a blog is […] a venue in which they
[language learners] can reflect,
comment, question, review and
communicate – outside the
classroom in an authentic
environment.”
Pinkman 2005, p.13.
7. BLOGS in education
• Categories of educational Blogs: Three types
of weblogs for use in L2 classrooms (A.
Campbell, 2003)
• Tutor blogs (teacher-centred)
• Learner blogs (individual)
• Class/ group blogs (collaborative)
• Advantages of each category?
8. Edublogs: Advantages
• For Teachers • For Students
o Check students’ work o Individual blogs –
and post comments reflections etc.
o Add resources for o Collaborative blogs –
students to use group & project work
o Collaboration with o Class Blogs
students o Motivation, “WOW”
o Collaboration with factor
other teachers o Teacher/peers can post
o Support & Advice comments/feedback
o ??? o ???
10. Create your blog
• Go to www.blogger.com
• Sign in with your gmail account
• Register to blogger (! Display name!!)
• Click on “create a blog now” and… follow the
instructions… (blog name, URL, choose a
template)
• Start blogging….
• Create new post, change font, add link, pictures
and youtube video!
12. PERSONAL BLOGS
one author per Blog
• Identity Blog
preparing for a language
exchange
(low level, primary or
secondary school)
13. CLUSTER BLOGS
several contributors
• Online teamwork
Preparing for an oral presentation
• Emphasis on process rather than product
• Aims:
o To develop analytical, cognitive and
higher order thinking skills
o To develop/ reinforce reading, analytical
and writing skills
14. CLASS BLOGS
(authors = class members)
• An on-line language platform
for the class
• Resource sharing, diaries of
learning achievements/class
activities, posting of written
work…
15. To go further…
• Blogs and Language Teaching
http://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/think/resources/blogging.sh
tml
http://eltnotebook.blogspot.com/
http://tesl-ej.org/ej44/a3.html
http://en.wordpress.com/tag/classroom-activities/
http://supportblogging.com/Links+to+School+Bloggers
• ICT4LT Blog
http://ictforlanguageteachers.blogspot.com/
• Blog Providers
www.blogger.com
http://wordpress.com/
http://www.livejournal.com/
