The World of Blogs

Online Book Discussions for Elementary School Teachers and Librarians

Session One-Book Discussions and Blogs

By Christine Anderson

Pros and Cons of Classroom Book Discussions

Increased Vocabulary and comprehension

Improved Verbal and Discussion Skills

Sharing of Ideas Interaction between

students and teacher

Limited classroom time Not every student can

give input More impulsive

answers instead of constructive discussion

Benefits to Blog Format

Teacher/Librarian Moderated Allows time for reflection prior to answering Increased student participation Motivation to students who may not normally participate Fosters collaboration and creative expression Inspires self reflection Practice of writing and communication skills Informal evaluation of writing and communication skills Extends the walls of the classroom Learning environment is available 24/7 Helps prepare students for a digital future

Let’s Begin!

What is a Blog? Short for weB LOG An online journal

Moderator posts topic/comment People respond

Security Blog viewing can be restricted Authors and members can be limited Customizing creates safe environment for children

Creating a Blog

Many free services available-we will use Blogger Limited technical knowledge required

Log in to www.Blogger.com Click Create A Blog

Creating a Blog

Create an account (use school district e-mail address)

Name your Blog

Creating a Blog

Choose a Template (this can be changed later)

That’s It-Your Blog is Created!

Starting the Discussion

Simply enter a title for you post, type your comments or questions and click “Publish Post”

Settings Adjustments

Comments Tab Adjust who can post comments to

your blog Change to “Only members of this

blog” for student security

Comments Tab Receive notification of comments to

review before they post Change to “Always” and enter e-mail

address you will be notified at

Settings Adjustments

Permissions These changes allow only the students and teacher to read and post comments

Add members (authors) who can post-students e-mail address Adjust Viewers

Change to only blog authors

Going Forward

Add blog address (URL) to teacher website on school district website.

From example http://mssmithbookblog.blogspot.com

Students should access blog from this spot only.

Tips for teacher blogs View several blogs and online book

clubs for inspiration and to see how they work

Keep the purpose of your post clear Be sure students are clear on what is

expected of them Give clear guidelines & conduct

expectations to students Provide proper security measures to keep

blog available to students and teacher only

Allow time in class to practice before students are expected to do at home

Have fun!

Additional Information and Resources

Blogger help site http://help.blogger.com/ Blogs in the elementary classroom video

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=99517&title=Blogs_in_the_elementary_classroom

Sample blog sites My class blog site Book Chat Online www.bookchatonline.blogspot.com http://www.roselle.lib.il.us/YouthServices/BookClub/BookClub_FAQ.htm http://booksbypickles.blogspot.com/ http://www.jacketflap.com/

Until Next Time…

During the next week play around with your blogs Post a comment or question on your site Visit each others sites once a week and leave a comment

Feel free to e-mail me any questions you may have or…

Stop by and visit during “Bloggers Breakfast Break”

The World of Blogs

Online Book Discussions for Elementary School Teachers and Librarians

Session 2-Customizing your blog and posting added items.

Additional Posting Items

Pictures Web Links Video as introductory book talk

These are the basics but there is always more to explore……

Add a Picture

On post screen toolbar click “add image” icon

Choose picture and layout Click upload image Image will appear in post draft

before you publish for review

Add a Web Link

On post screen click “link” icon on toolbar

Type in web site address Link will appear in post draft

before you publish to review

Add a Video

On post screen click “add video” icon

Choose video and add title Click upload video Video must appear in draft before

you can publish (this may take some time)

Creating Book Talk Video

Create Audio File Using Audacity Audacity is a free, downloadable cross-platform sound recorder and editor Download at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ Version 1.2.6 To convert recording to MP3 file download also download LAME MP3

encoder at same site Simple computer microphone is required to record

Using Audacity

Open Audacity and click File/New from toolbar Click record button

Speak into microphone and record! Click stop button when complete

Using Audacity

Additional Audio tracks can be added or music and sounds

imported Click project from toolbar and select option

Using Audacity

Tracks can be clipped, edited, redone and shifted until the desired effect is reached

Save audio in Audacity for future editing Once converted to MP3 format all tracks are merged in to one. To convert click File/export as MP3 from toolbar

Before export

After export

Use Audio in Video Software

MP3 format can be imported as audio file into Windows Movie Maker

Open new project under File/New Project Import MP3 file into your movie collections under File/Import

Use Audio in Video Software

Select file and click Import

Import any pictures, such as the book cover, the same way

See www.bookchatonline.blogspot.com for sample

Use Audio in Video Software

Simply Drag and Drop the files to the bar at the bottom to create video

Picture may need to be copied to cover audio so there is no black space

Save your project and then save as movie file for playback on your computer. This will allow you to add the video to various applications

Video file after drag and drop

Additional Information and Resources

Audacity Online Manual http://audacity.sourceforge.net/manual-1.2/index.html

Windows Movie Maker online tutorials http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/default.mspx http://presentationsoft.about.com/od/moviemaker/a/mov_mak_beg.htm

Booktalks Quick and Simple http://nancykeane.com/booktalks/default.htm

And don’t forget “Bloggers Breaks” at the media center