Tips+and+Homework

=Tips and Homework=

I've seen most people's blogs now and it's good to see everyone has made a start. We only have two sessions together next term but I think the idea is that you work on your project independently throughout the term. The wiki has information about blogs, wikis and webquests. My suggestion is that you read the information to get an overview of each one if you're not sure of them already, and choose one to concentrate on developing for classroom use next year.
 * Session 4**

Start small - there are a myriad of ways you can use blogs and wikis, such as: I have added some more ideas to the netiquette page, courtesy of a recent BCE inservice I attended recently on Digital Citizenship. Please feel free to see me between sessions if you would like some 1:1 help or just have a question or two.
 * class blog - different 'pages' (labels) for different subjects/tasks; for homework
 * class wiki - for reflection (one page per student); reviews; record of a special event; 'how to' manual; specific unit of work - different pages for different aspects of task
 * individual blog - reflection; visual diary; PIP
 * small group wiki - elective task as part of a unit of work
 * webquest - teacher //or// student designed; inquiry task that relies mainly on online sources; lends itself to integrating teaching of digital literacy (see me for co-teaching or resources)
 * Homework**
 * Post a link to your blog on the Blogs page
 * Keep adding to your blog - reflections, links, images, widgets - as time allows
 * Post a comment on everyone else's blogs
 * Decide which Web 2.0 tool for classroom use you will be focusing on developing next term
 * Come prepared next term to get started on your classroom project

Thanks for your efforts in creating your blog. You could use it to record the steps you took to set it up, what works and what you had trouble with. These reflections will be valuable when you are setting one up for your class or helping your students do the same. Some things we talked about on Monday:
 * Session 3**


 * It's a good idea to record your username (email address) and password for blogger.com somewhere secure in case you forget them.


 * Once you have opened your blog, save it as a Favourite and save it as a shortcut on your desktop by right clicking on the page and selecting //Create shortcut//.


 * To make your blog more secure, open your blog, Click New Post - Settings - Comments. Alter the //Who can comment?// and //Comment Moderation// fields to be as secure as you wish and click Save Settings at bottom of page. You can make your blog even more secure by going to Settings - Permissions and changing the settings there re //Who can view this blog?//


 * Use the Design tab to change the template or add/rearrange template features.

**Homework:**
 * Could you please add to the netiquette page on the wiki? To do this you need to sign in, click on the Netiquette page and then click the Edit button in the top right hand corner. Once you have added your content, click Save (right hand side).


 * Keep adding to your blog. The more you experiment, the quicker and easier it will be to set up a blog for/with your students. Be prepared to share your experiences at our next meeting.
 * If you would prefer to start your own wiki/webquest, read the relevant page on our group wiki and work on that.

I'm really enjoying working with you all. Feel free to see me before the next meeting if you would like some help or start a discussion on the relevant page of the group wiki.