Web Logs: A Positive Approach to Blogging

Hey Everybody! My name is Tek. I ’ m going to be your guide today! I ’ m a part of i-SAFE, and we are concerned with helping you to be safe online. We want you to recognize and avoid dangerous, destructive or unlawful online behavior, and we hope to empower you to communicate what you learn from i- SAFE with others.

In this lesson, you will be reading a newsletter about online blogging and journaling. You will then write sample blogs that are safe. Finally, you will come up with rules for safe journaling. The Plan

All Right – Let’s Get Started Today we’re going to start with a discussion. One new popular way of interacting or communicating online is blogging or web journaling. - What is Blogging or Web Journaling?

Blogging Blogs are another name for Web Journals. Web Journals are maintained in chronological order by date of post. People who read the blog are usually welcome to post replies, their thoughts, etc. This makes most blogs interactive.

Time to Brainstorm There are dangers involved in Blogging. Now think, what are some of the potential dangers of blogging? How can they be prevented?

The Dangers of Blogging Blogging makes the writer feel like they are writing confidentially because they are behind a screen. However, the reality is that anyone online can read the blog. This can be dangerous. Sometimes the writer will reveal information online in a blog that can be used by cyber predators, harassers, identity thieves, etc. Can you put this in your own words so that others can understand it?

It’s time to do an activity… You should have a newsletter on the topic of Blogging. Take some time and read it as a class, in small groups, or individually. Discuss the important points that are covered.

Time for Group Work Your teacher will divide you into groups for the next activity. In your groups you will participate in a mock blogging situation – either online or using worksheets. You will receive a topic to blog on. You will get the chance to blog for a few minutes before changing blogging topics in your group. We’ll meet back here when all the groups are finished.

Let’s Discuss! Ok, so blogging can be lots of fun. Why else can it be beneficial? In the blogs you were writing, did you reveal personal information? Did you write things that could be used by others such as predators or bullies?

Safe Blogging Tips Now that you’ve had a chance to blog and we’ve discussed some pros and cons of blogging, let’s come up with some safe blogging tips. Get back into your groups and brainstorm a few tips to guide others in safe blogging.

Presentation Time Present your safe blogging tips to the class. Then Discuss: How could a few simple guidelines make a difference in keeping you safe while blogging? As a class come up with the five best tips/rules for safe blogging and post in the classroom.

How Do you Know When You’re Done? Have you: 1. Completed the Blog activity and written your safety guidelines? 2. Discussed with your class what you have learned? 3. As a class, written five guidelines?

It doesn’t have to end here! Find out about DRiVE!

Take Action It’s Easy with the i-Mentor Training Network! The i-Mentor Training Network has short informative videos that will take you step by step through the process of accomplishing any of the i-SAFE Outreach activities you can do in your school and community. To watch the videos go to the i-Mentor Network located in the X-BLOCK of the i-SAFE website at Visit the X-BLOCK at to learn about the i-Mentor Training Network. It’s all online!

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