Blended Learning Opportunities Gadgets and Blogs

Welcome to your D2L E-learning program. This session will take about 10 minutes to complete. It has been designed to make the learning process easy and to help you apply your blogging knowledge. As you progress through the program, be sure to use all of its features: Read each content screen thoroughly Follow the steps using a separate web browser window and complete the final quiz You can return to this session as often as you like, so don't rush... and DO enjoy your online learning experience!

What you will learn… At the end of this session you will be able to add a Google gadget to your existing classroom blog Learn some tips/tricks and best practices when using gadgets The value of gadgets on your classroom blog

Topics we will cover What is a gadget How to add a gadget to your blog Why Google Gadgets should be your “go to” for gadgets Educational benefits of having gadgets on your classroom blog

What’s a Gadgets They are called widget, apps, minis, bidgets, desklets, flakes and gadgets but they all do the same thing They are miniature objects that offer cool and dynamic content that can be placed on any page on the web. Adding content-rich gadgets to your blog can make your site even more interesting and useful to your students and keep them coming back.

What types of gadgets are there…. The gadgets categories include: Lifestyle News Sports Finance Education Libraries

Let’s Get Started Open your classroom blog to your dashboard while keeping this training program open so you can follow along. 1. Click on Design

On the Design Page 2. Click Add a Gadget A menu of gadgets pops up and you can choose from the categories or use the search option. Where going to choose Add your own from the menu.

Add a Gadget The Add a Gadget screen pops up At this point you need to insert an address to add a Google gadget Don’t worry it’s not as scary as it looks!

Let’s go to Igoogle.ca Open a new internet browser window (don’t close your blog!) Type into the web address and press enterwww.igoogle Sign into your account Web address goes here

Why a Google Gadget? Google has more than 4,200 gadgets Google served up over 700 million gadget views in one week, including over 400 million gadget views (57%) from its top 10 gadgets Ratings for Google gadgets are typically a five star rating Google Gadgets are always available

Next…. Click on Add Stuff and let the search begin On the next screen type in a keyword in Search for Gadgets to begin your quest for the ultimate classroom blog addition

Helpful hints when searching High rating gadgets indicates more users, a good indicator of quality and usability Choose gadgets that relate to your students age and the content your teaching

Choose Your Gadget Once you’ve selected the gadget you want to add to your blog.. 1.Click on the name of the gadget 2. Then click on Embed this gadget (on the right side of the screen)

Customize your gadget You can now customize your gadget, preview the changes and then…. Click Get the Code Highlight the code right click and copy Here’s your address

Back to our blog we go Now that you’ve got your address … go back to your blog page and in the ADD BY URL right click, paste and…… Voila !!

Do you find yourself… Struggling to stay current with how to integrate learning with technology Looking for innovative ways to address different learning styles in your classroom Wanting to provide students with engaging, current and relevant means of learning

Expand your horizons….. blog with gadgets

Get Your Students Blogging for sharing of content creating learning opportunities sharing of ideas, thoughts, passions foster a thirst for knowledge and learning allow for blended learning opportunities address students various learning styles

Getting started.. Revive your blog Update your look and content Add gadgets that relate to your subject area, the age of your students, and the overall purpose of your blog. What’s a gadget???

LORs in the Future? Geographic distribution of content Integrations Social/Crowd-sourced reviews/ratings

Talk to Us Want to get more hands-on? We are happy to set-up a personalized demo or give us a North America: U.K. and Europe: New Zealand: Australia: