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===Procedures===
 
===Procedures===
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_a_Blogs_account|Creating a Blogs account]]
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You have two good WordPress options: 1) you can create a personal site either through [http://wordpress.com/ 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.
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Editing_text_in_a_Blogs_page|Editing text in a Blogs page]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_a_blog_account|Creating a blog account on WordPress.com]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_a_new_Blogs_page|Creating a new Blogs page]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Requesting_a_WordPress_site|Requesting a University of Wyoming Extension WordPress site]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_sections|Creating sections]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Changing_the_look|Changing the look]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_links|Creating links]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_categories|Creating categories]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_lists|Creating lists]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Adding_plugins|Adding plugins or widgets]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_tables|Creating tables]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_pages|Creating pages]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Uploading_and_inserting_images|Uploading and inserting images]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_menu_items|Creating menu items]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Adding_references|Adding references]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_a_new_blog_post|Creating a new blog post]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Adding_pages_to_categories|Adding pages to categories]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Adding_media_to_posts|Adding media to posts]]
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* [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Using_templates|Using templates]]
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===Ideas for using Blogs to Support Informal Learning===
 
===Ideas for using Blogs to Support Informal Learning===
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* '''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.
 
* '''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.
 
* '''Participate in blogging challenges''' - Consider participating in a sponsored blogging challenge, e.g., posting once a day for 30 days, etc.
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* '''Share ideas for feedback''' - Share your halfbacked ideas and get feedback from your readers.
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* '''Share ideas for feedback''' - Share your half-baked 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.
 
* '''Lifelong learning''' - Participate in a subject as a lifelong learner, use a blog to reflect on content and share your knowledge.
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===Ideas for using Blogs to Support Education===
 
===Ideas for using Blogs to Support Education===
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===Ideas for using Blogs to Support Business===
 
===Ideas for using Blogs to Support Business===
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* '''Document management''' - Blogs are great places to store and link to documents.
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* '''Become an expert source''' - Use a blog to demonstrate how your products are used. Provide commentary on future trends.
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* '''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===
 
===Ideas for using Blogs to Non-Profits===

Latest revision as of 10:28, 6 July 2012

Contents

[edit] Blogs

[edit] Tools

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

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 half-baked 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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

[edit] 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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