Blogging+with+Blogger

=Whats All the Buzz About Blogging?! =



**Let's start by defining** **//__BLOG__//.**
According to Wikipedia, a **blog** (a [|contraction] of the term "**weblog**")[|[1]] is a type of [|website], 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. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning //to maintain or add content to a blog//. Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal [|online diaries]. 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 ([|artlog]), photographs ([|photoblog]), sketches ([|sketchblog]), videos ([|vlog]), music ([|MP3 blog]), and audio ([|podcasting]). [|Micro-blogging] is another type of blogging, featuring very short posts. As of December 2007, blog search engine [|Technorati] was tracking more than 112 million blogs.

**Why blog from the classroom?**
More and more teachers are blogging from grades kindergarten through high school. So... what are they blogging about?... Well... just about EVERYTHING! Because you can add content as easily as sending a picture or text message from your cell phone... it's easier than maintaining a web site. Here are some ideas on classroom blogs:
 * Newsletters (include pics and video & parents will LOVE you!)
 * Book Clubs
 * Assignment Posts
 * Online Discussions
 * Documenting Field Trips
 * Documenting Science Projects
 * Collaboration with Other Classrooms
 * Use to practice writing skills

=Getting Started  = ===hint: whenever you follow a link, right mouse click on link and choose "open in new tab" ===

For your 1st attempt, we will create a "sandbox" blog that you can practice and experiment with.

 * 1) Go to [|www.Gmail.com] and create a Google account, you will need this in order to set up a blog in Blogger.
 * 2) Go to [|www.blogger.com] and sign in using your Google account.
 * 3) Click the "Create Your Blog Now" arrow or the "Create a Blog" lilnk at the top-right corner of the page.
 * 4) Enter a blog title. The title will appear at the top of the blog. The title on my blog is "The Sandbox".
 * 5) Choose and enter a blog address. For example, i entered aschurg and my address (URL) is now aschurg.blogspot.com. Do not include spaces or symbols in your address.
 * 6) Complete the word verification and then click Continue.
 * 7) Choose a template that you like and then click Continue.
 * 8) Click the "Start Blogging" arrow.

After clicking the Start Blogging arrow, it's time to add the 1st Post!
There are several ways to post to your blog including: ***email, *cell phone, *iGoogle, & *Google Docs.**
 * 1) Select the Posting Tab
 * 2) In the title field, enter "Welcome."
 * 3) In the message area, enter a welcome message
 * 4) Click the "Publish Post" button at the bottom of the screen.
 * 5) Click the "View Blog" link to see your creation!

3. Customizing & Editing Your Blog
====There are hundreds of options for customizing your blog. Under the **Posting** Tab, you can delete posts, change the date/time of a post, and embed video. Under **Settings,** you can customize how the comments show, and who can comment. Under **Layout**, you can add widgets, change the layout, edit colors, and change the template.====

**Let's add some gadgets:[[image:adding_gadgets_2.jpg width="399" height="277" align="right"]]**

 * 1) Open "Layout" tab.
 * 2) Click the "Page Elements" link at the top of the page.
 * 3) Click one of the "Add a Gadget" links.
 * 4) In the "Add a Gadget" window, click the categories at the left and browse the gadgets on the right.
 * 5) Click the blue "plus sign" button to add the desired gadget.
 * 6) Drag & Drop your Gadgets to rearrange the order you want them in.

4. Using Embed Code in Your Blog Posts:
Some widgets you can embed include: **[|*Google Maps], *Google Forms, *Google Calendar, Videos from [|*TeacherTube], [|*Delicious Links], Slideshows from [|*Picasa 3] online albums, and live video stream through [|*ustream.tv]**
 * 1) Use one or more of the web tools listed below to generate embed code(s).
 * 2) Copy the provided embed code.
 * 3) Go to the "Post Message" area for the blog or go to your iGoogle page and use your Blogger widget.
 * 4) Paste the embed code in the message area of the blog post.
 * 5) Publish your blog post.

**Here is an example of an embedded map:** media type="custom" key="3408466" ==I hope I've peaked your interest in using a blog as an extension of your classroom, and you will begin to use one or more of these very cool Web 2.0 tools! ==