The Why to and How to:

Create your own Class or School Blog

Lisa G.Twitter: @ICT_Educator

www.icteducator.blogspot.com

What is a Blog:1. A personal or business online discussion/editorial

where posts are written and comments can be left.

Who has a Blog?Stay at home parents / professionals / anyone.

Why have a Blog?1. Personal – as a journal for life thoughts / events2. Business – to share events / ideas / tools

Blog Examples:

For Class Projects : Flat Rosie

Record Lesson Ideas: ICT with Mrs G

For Extra-Mural Activities: Sunridge Computer Club

Online PD Advice: Schoolnet

A Tutorial Site: ICT Educator

Tools for Teachers: Teach Amazing

Personal Reflection: Shiny Headed Prophet

Children: Blog of a Bookaholic

What can I put on a Blog:

1. Text

2. Images

3. Movies in Movie Maker

4. Work done in PhotoStory 3

5. You Tube clips

6. SlideShare (PP to PDF)

7. Flipsnack (PDF to Flipping Book)

8. Screencasts (Screencast-O-Matic / Jing)

9. Presentations (Tripline)

10. And more!

Creating My Own Blogwww.blogger.com

OR

• Enter your email address and password

Name your blog

Blog domain

Create Blog

Blog domain

Post Name

TagStart typing your post in the window.You can preview / save.

To website

Once your post is written you can add your links/pictures or embed / Preview / Save. How to add a picture. How to link to a site. How to add a video (from web /from file) How to embed into your blog.

Add an image

Add a video

How to add a link:• Open the website you want

to link to.• Highlight the URL and copy it.

Go back to editing blog.• Highlight the text you want to

link to.• Click on the “Link” Icon• Paste the copied link into the

pop-up window. Click OK.• You will see the link now

appear in the editing box, and the text will be highlighted in your published blog. Preview/Publish.

How to add an image:

• Click on the “Insert Image” Icon as above.

• Choose file and locate image.

• Insert the image• Click on“Add selected”• You will see it in your

editing window.• Click on pic to place it

and add a caption.• Preview/Publish.

How to add a You Tube Clip:• 2 ways: Embed / Url1. URL• Open the clip on YouTube• Highlight and copy URL.• Go back to editing window.• Click on “Insert a Video”• From You Tube (or from

where you have it saved!)• Paste the URL into window.• Search. Choose the clip

you had in mind – Select.• Your clip will now appear

on your Blog• Preview/Publish.• .

How to add a You Tube Clip:2. Embed • Open the clip on YouTube.• Click on “Share”• Click on “Embed”• Blogger usually uses the

“Old Embed Code”. Tick.• Highlight the code and copy

it. Go back to editing window.

• Click on “HTML”• Paste the code where you

want your clip to appear.• Your clip will now show on

your blog. Preview/Publish.

How to embed a Slideshare:• Open your slideshare.• Click on “Embed”• Copy the code as

instructed. (you can just click on “copy”) Go back to blog editing window.

• Click on “HTML”• Paste the code where you

want your slideshare to appear.

• Your slideshare will now show on your blog.

• Preview/Publish.

Preview

Check your preview. Close Preview window. Edit if necessary. Publish.

Click on DESIGN to get to your dashboard.

Published – working with Settings

How many posts to show/page?

Comments:• Do you want them

embedded/pop up/new window/hide?

• Who can comment• Do you want to

moderate your comments?

• Do you want a word verification to show?

• Do you want to show backlinks?

• What do you want to write on your comment form?

Working with Settings

Designing the Look - Layout

Edit the “About Me” section. Write a short piece about yourself, and the point of your blog.

Designing the Look - Layout

Edit the “About Me”

section.

Save.

Gadgets = Sidebar Extra’s• Followers, • Twitter Feed,• Blog Roll, • Labels, • Save Arrangement at the end.

Designing the Look - Layout

Add a Gadget.

Designing the Look

Choose a template to work with – Customise it.

Designing the Look

Designing the Look

Choose the widths of your columns

Or choose an image

Choose a background colour

NB! At the end of every design section, click “Apply to Blog”

Designing the Look

Customise your Blog Post Title/Links/Text/Dates, etc.

Customise your Columns – Adjust widths again if required.

Adding a Profile Pic

• Your details appear at the top of the page.

• Go and locate a Profile pic.• Add the details you wish to add

below. They are not compulsory.• Save the changes and return to

your Blog!

Adding a Profile Pic

To write a new post:

1. Log in2. Click on “New Post”3. Repeat as instructed!

You are now the proud owner of your own School /Class Blog.

Have Fun!

Thank you for your time.