Informal Learning:Blogs
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===Procedures=== | ===Procedures=== | ||
− | + | 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. | |
− | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs- | + | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_a_blog_account|Creating a blog account on WordPress.com]] |
− | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs- | + | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Requesting_a_WordPress_site|Requesting a University of Wyoming Extension WordPress site]] |
− | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs- | + | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Changing_the_look|Changing the look]] |
− | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs- | + | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_categories|Creating categories]] |
− | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs- | + | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Adding_plugins|Adding plugins or widgets]] |
− | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs- | + | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_pages|Creating pages]] |
− | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs- | + | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_menu_items|Creating menu items]] |
− | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs- | + | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Creating_a_new_blog_post|Creating a new blog post]] |
− | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs- | + | * [[Informal Learning:Blogs-Adding_media_to_posts|Adding media to posts]] |
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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. | ||
− | * '''Share ideas for feedback''' - Share your | + | * '''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=== | ||
− | * ''' | + | * '''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=== | ===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.
- Creating a blog account on WordPress.com
- Requesting a University of Wyoming Extension WordPress site
- Changing the look
- Creating categories
- Adding plugins or widgets
- Creating pages
- Creating menu items
- Creating a new blog post
- Adding media to posts
[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.
Section 1 | Section 2 | Section 3 | Section 4 | Section 5 | Section 6
[edit] References
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 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