Green Stream

Off to a good start!

We're off to a great start! Ms. Ricketson had everything ready for you in the computer lab and we didn't waste any time getting to the lab. Mrs. Williams from the county office visited our class. We welcomed her and she plans to return. We think that is great!

Today you saw this class blog for the first time! We talked about how important it is to look for an 'About Page' or some sort of explanation of what the blog is about and who the author is. We talked about some components of blogs: calendar, recent posts, recent links, pages, archives, permalinks, track backs, and other general information. There sure is a lot to learn about blogs when you first start, right? Don't worry we will be going over these terms some more and the more you blog the more they will make sense.

Now you know to click the banner if you want to return to the beginning. You learned that posts are the little blurbs that people write on blogs and pages are static pages that you can access from the home page.

Our first task was to take a look at the blogs on water that were listed on the previous post. You opened Word and toggled back and forth between it and the blog. That gave you a way to make quick notes and to copy and paste items that you wanted to think about. You were reading to get informed and practice navigating.

Finally you made two comments - one introducing yourselves and one reacting to the post on blogs about water. There was a little confusion here. Some of you posted your comments on the wrong post. Don't worry that is a common mistake for beginners but in the future be sure you click the comment button directly under the post that you want to reply to. Let me know if you have any questions about this.

I look forward to you having your own blogs. It won't be too long before that will happen. Your teacher is planning a special post for you for our next session. She will then be an official blogger! She is a quick study and I can't wait to see what will emerge from her blogging. I know it will be good.

As for you, the students, I say great beginning! And just think, we're just getting started!

Blogs about water

Now it's time to take a look at some blogs. This will give us an idea of some approaches to blogging about issues. We also will learn as we go and get ideas and brainstorm about our focus.

Preview some of the links below. Be thinking about the following questions as you browse:

• Is the purpose of the blog stated somewhere on the page?
• Can you determine who the author is?
• As you view the blogger's posts can you detect any bias?
• What sorts of information is the blogger reading or citing?
• Is the information updated on a somewhat regular basis?
• What do you find appealing? Unappealing?

American Rivers

Water Words That Work

On Water

food & water watch

Act for Healthy Rivers

WaterWired

water and energy

After we view some of these blogs we'll talk about commenting.  Can't wait to begin tomorrow!

 

 

Water drops on a surface by kamneed

Welcome to the world of educational blogging!

Welcome to your new class blog! This is going to be an exciting class. You have a terrific teacher who has lots planned.  I enjoyed meeting all of you last week. I do believe this is the first class I have worked with that has three sets of twins! You all had good ideas for paths we might take as we explore blogging "to learn".  I’m sure more will materialize. I look forward to seeing where this learning journey will take us.