One of the assessments for this unit (further described in the assessments link of this website) requires all students to write daily online blogs. These blogs will allow students to reflect upon and further explore themes introduced in both class discussions and assigned readings. This lesson, hence, will equip students with the expertise to independently manage and write their own blogs, as well as to comment on the blog entries of their peers.
As noted in the demographics section of this website, this mythical school places great emphasis on media integration in all aspects of the curriculum. Online blogging is therefore an integral component of many courses, and as such, most students will most likely already have online blogs and be familiar with their use. For these students, this lesson will merely be a review. For those students who are new to the institution, however, this lesson will enable them to participate on an equal level.
WordPress will be used for students to create their blogs and post their daily entries. As this is a college level institution, all students are above the age of 18. Note that online blogging can pose several safety concerns and is therefore not appropriate for users under the age of 18. All users, however, should be made aware of privacy and safety guidelines, and this will hence be incorporated in the lesson's objectives.
Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to:
This class will be held in the school's computer laboratory. Laboratory technicians will be present to assist the teacher and students if needed.
(10 min.) The teacher will begin by explaining the concept of online blogging, as well as some of its positive and negative implications.
Positive Benefits: The educational benefits it can provide. It can allow further reflection on course themes, encourage dialogue among students (through active reading and commenting on entries), and provide a means for students to share relevant links with the entire class.
Negative Implications: Thoroughly outline the privacy and safety concerns connected to online blogging and all forms of online interaction. The teacher may want to show the safety and privacy terms found on most blogging websites.
(3 min.) Using a computer with internet access, the teacher will show several websites that provide online blogging and journaling features as examples. (examples may include LiveJournal or WordPress)
(30 min.) The teacher will then go through the process of creating a username and blog on http://www.wordpress.com. Students will follow along on their own computers, with the assistance of lab technicians if required. Once blogs have been created, the teacher will show students how to post entries, insert links, images and videos and comment on other posts. Several online blog entries can be used as examples to show how the finished product often looks. (For example, teachers may use entries from students who completed this course in past years.)
(5 min.) The requirements for the blog component of their assessment will briefly be outlined. These details are provided to students in their syllabi and on the online course website.
(7 min.) Be sure to allot time at the end of this lecture to address questions students may have about the process of online blogging, and ask students to reflect upon the themes introduced in the previous lesson in their blogs tonight as practice.