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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Adding_plugins|Adding plugins or widgets]]
 
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_menu_items|Creating menu items]]
 
* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_a_new_blog_post|Creating a new blog post]]
 
* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_a_new_blog_post|Creating a new blog post]]
 
* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Adding_media_to_posts|Adding media to posts]]
 
* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Adding_media_to_posts|Adding media to posts]]

Revision as of 09:47, 27 June 2012

Contents

Blogs

Tools

  • Computer with Web Browser
  • Internet
  • Mobile Application (optional)

Terms

dashboard - A dashboard is the main administrative site for the blog where authorized individuals can review statistics, start a new blog post, and make changes to the blog.

post - A post is short essay on a particular topic. It is the main feature of a blog. They are typically short, and arranged by date.

page - A page is additional information that the site owner may want available, but is not subject to regular updates.

RSS - "Rich Simple Syndication," a method where readers can subscribe to blog posts.

theme - The look and feel of the Blog site.

widget - Add-on tools and capabilities used to enhance the blog experience.

Procedures

You have two good WordPress options: 1) you can create a personal site either through WordPress.com or request a University of Wyoming Extension WordPress site, or 2) you can request a University of Wyoming Extension WordPress site to support program, department, or other initiative. The procedures listed below will work the same regardless of the type of site you request.

Ideas for using Blogs to Support Informal Learning

  • Follow Blogs – Find some bloggers in your areas of interest. Recommend subscribing to their RSS feeds.
  • Start a writing circle – Get support, ideas, and posts from fellow bloggers.
  • Subscribe to a writing blog - Get tips and inspiration from bloggers who write about blogging.
  • Write about your interests - Blogs do not have to be on serious topics, you can post images, poetry, fiction, non-fiction, etc.
  • Comment on other blogs - If you find something that resonates with you, take time to comment on the blog.
  • Challenge yourself - Expand your skills by writing on specific topics, specific word counts, or creating a topic list, etc.
  • Write a guest post - If asked, write a guest post for someone else's blog. You can also contact blog authors and offer to write a post.
  • Participate in blogging challenges - Consider participating in a sponsored blogging challenge, e.g., posting once a day for 30 days, etc.
  • Share ideas for feedback - Share your halfbacked ideas and get feedback from your readers.
  • Lifelong learning - Participate in a subject as a lifelong learner, use a blog to reflect on content and share your knowledge.

Ideas for using Blogs to Support Education

  • Write a blog as a journal – When tasked to keep a journal in class, start a blog instead. Make your writing count by writing to the world.
  • Reading log audit - Have students write a blog entry about their blog entry. Have them analyze their own writing. [1]
  • Follow Educational Blogs – Find some bloggers in your areas of interest. Recommend subscribing to their RSS feeds.
  • Reflect on your teaching - Use a blog to reflect on your teaching style and methods.
  • Keep and expedition journal - Rather think of ideas to write about, write about your journey. [2]
  • Assign embedded bloggers - Are you attending a conference or putting together an event, assign students as embedded bloggers to report on the event. [3]
  • Improve visual literacy - Assign students a photoblog as an assignment.
  • Blog on course - Have students write reflections on course instruction in a common blog. Each student sees the instruction through their own experiences.
  • Course administration - Use a blog to communicate regularly with your students on issues regarding a course.
  • Project management - Have student document the status of their group project and thought processes for decisions them make.
  • 'Research journals - have students use a blog as a research journal where they document their processes for a larger project.

Ideas for using Blogs to Support Business

  • Become an expert source - Use a blog to demonstrate how your products are used. Provide commentary on future trends.
  • Highlight company news - Take a moment to highlight the positive things your organization or people are doing.
  • Provide industry news - Report on what is happening in your industry.
  • Share issues you find interesting - Share resources that you are using to stay current in the field.
  • Answer customer questions - Use your blog to answer questions customers may have, they are probably not the only ones having this question.
  • Internal blogging - Set up a blog for your employees; it can keep them informed as well as give them a place to post concerns.
  • Address customer complaints - Get ahead of the curve and proactive address customer complaints, let the public know you are aware of a problem, and you are working to fix it.
  • Illustrate how customers are using your products - Provide examples how your customers are using your products in new and clever ways.

Ideas for using Blogs to Non-Profits

  • Keep readers informed - Use your blog to keep your readers informed about current discussions relevant to non-profits.
  • Connect with volunteers - Use your blog to connect with volunteers and let them know where they can help.
  • Prepare for annual reports - By regularly posting to your blog, you can collect material to be used in your annual report.
  • Report from a conference or event - Have staffers and volunteers post blog entries from an event or conference to those who could not make it.
  • Support a campaign - If you have a campaign, use a blog to generate support for the campaign.
  • Share expertise - Share the expertise of your board, staffers, and volunteers, share why your organization exists.

Useful Additional Resource

Here is a learning developed by the University of Wyoming.

Learning Guide:Blogging


Section 1 | Section 2 | Section 3 | Section 4 | Section 5 | Section 6

References

  1. ↑ Sample, M. (2010, October 11). Making Student Blogs Pay Off with Blog Audits. ProfHacker. Retrieved from http://chronicle.com/blogs/profhacker/making-student-blogs-pay-off-with-blog-audits/27559
  2. ↑ Guhlin, M. (2012, March 8). From Churning Butter to Expedition Journal - Blogging. Around the Corner-MGuhlin.org. Retrieved from http://www.mguhlin.org/2012/03/from-churning-butter-to-expedition.html
  3. ↑ Easley, K. (2012, March 15). Blogging on the Fly: 5 Huge Tips for Blogging Big Events. Socialmediatoday. Retrieved from http://socialmediatoday.com/kieshaeasley/470164/blogging-fly-5-huge-tips-blogging-big-events
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