2. Blogs and Wikis: Do I Need a Vaccine? A Presentation of Excellent Educational Practices

3. The teacher next door has a Blog. Is she contagious? Does she need a doctor?

4. Does the word Blog make you feel like this?

5. If so You are Not Alone!!!!!

6. Technology does not necessarily improve education. Take a simple innovation like the pencil: One can use it to write a superlative essay, to drum away the time, or to poke out someone’s eye. Shirley Veenema and Howard Garner

7. What is a Blog? A blog is a Web-publishing concept that enables anyone to publish information on the Internet. The term blog is the shortened form of web log. Blogs are easy to use and require NO knowledge of HTML and other “technical terms”.

8. Why use a Blog in the Classroom? It allows 24/7 communication with stakeholders. It provides students with an exciting and authentic purpose for writing. Writing is done in a safe, controlled environment monitored by the teacher.

9. Why use a Blog in the Classroom? Trends seems to indicate that students’ interest in and quantity of writing increases when their work is published online and subjected to reader comments. It allows students to become efficient users of technology on a daily basis.

10. How Can Blogs be used in the Classrooom? EduBlog Insights October 5 th, 2004 http://anne.teachesme.com/2004/10/05EduBlog Insights October 5 th, 2004 http://anne.teachesme.com/2004/10/05 Weblogs in Education: A Video by Will RichardsonWeblogs in Education: A Video by Will Richardson Elementary Students Talk About Blogging

11. Examples of Talladega County Blogs http://kimsmithwick.edublogs.org – Kim Broadhead, WEShttp://kimsmithwick.edublogs.org http://nicholsenglish.edublogs.org http://nicholsenglish.edublogs.org – Mysti Nichols, LHS http://jenniferbarnett.edublogs.org http://jenniferbarnett.edublogs.org – Jennifer Barnett, FHS http://ccwales.edublogs.org http://ccwales.edublogs.org – Cecilia Wales, FHS http://watwoodmediacenter.edublogs.org http://watwoodmediacenter.edublogs.org – Kitty Forbus, WES

12. Examples of Good Blogs! Talladega City Schools: Talladega, AL http://talladegacityschools.blogspot.com/ It’s About Time! Organization & Time ManagementIt’s About Time! Organization & Time Management http://frankbuck.blogspot.com/ **** See instructions for removing “Next Blog” tab

13. More Good Blogs The Cool Cat Teacher Blog http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com Blue Skunk Blog by Doug Johnson http://doug-jphnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog The Tech Savy Teacher http://techsavyed.net Mrs. Elliot’s Fourth Grade http://elliottsmissouri.blogspot.com/ The Duck Diaries http://duckdiaries.edublogs.org/

14. How To Start a Blog Blogger www.blogspot.com Edublogs www.edublogs.org Blogmeister www.classblogmeister.comBlogmeister www.classblogmeister.com My Blog Site www.myblogsite.com Many others…

15. Blog Prayer Please grant me the serenity to accept the pages I cannot edit, The courage to edit the pages I can, And the wisdom to know the difference.

16. Remember …. When you begin your first Blog, this will be a learning experience. Mistakes will be made and problems will arise. Have confidence, try, admit when you need help, but most of all have fun!!!

17. The Point… Keep trying until it works for you!

18. Are you ready to take the technology plunge?