1. Blogging in the Classroom Blogging Assignment and Expectations MSTI 131 Introduction to Educational Technology Fall 2010 Prof. Nichole Heinsler What is a Blog? A blog is a website or part of a website where a person can write entries. All you need to do is find a website that will allow you to blog, and start writing! We will be using www.weebly.com to create our websites and blogs. What is an RSS Feed? RSS is an abbreviation of "Really Simple Syndication." It is the term used for a standard file format for syndicating content on the internet. A large percentage of websites use RSS in one form or another, and RSS feeds are used in many different ways. It could be said that RSS acts as the nervous system to the internet connecting one part to another. RSS files are typically referred to as "Feeds" or "RSS Feeds," the average person uses RSS feeds to read news, headlines or articles from their favorite sites in what is called an RSS reader. Currently "Google Reader" is the most popular RSS feed reader. The Google Reader website will provide you with additional information on how to use RSS Feeds. Blogging Assignment: This semester you will be learning about a lot of new technologies and how you can effectively integrate them into your future classroom. Blogging is a great use of technology in the classroom! It provides students with an opportunity to reflect, write, read, interact, and a sense of ownership. Each week we will start class with 15 minutes of blogging. You choose something to blog about using your blogging menu that is located on the back of your name tag. We will be using RSS Feed and Google Reader to subscribe to one another’s blogs. This way we can read each others new posts all from one location! Between classes, you will need to check Google Reader and see what Your classmates have blogged about. Then you will pick one or more classmates blogs to respond to as an ongoing homework assignment. Happy Blogging! Blogging Expectations 1.Blog once a week at the beginning of each class during our “blogging time”. 2.Respond to at least one person’s blog each week after class as part of an ongoing homework assignment. 3.Keep your blogs professional and be respectful of others. 4.Support your peers through this process. 5.Within each blog be sure to pose some questions to your readers so they have something to respond to. When you respond to someone, make sure you pose questions to keep the conversation going.

2. Blogging Grading Rubric MSTI 131 – Fall 2010 4321 Quality of Writing Written in an interesting style and voice. Very informative or deeply reflective Well organized Written in a somewhat interesting style and voice Some new information on the topic or reflective Well organized Post has little style of voice Gives some new information on the topic. Poorly organized Post has no style of voice Gives no new information on the topic Poorly organized Presentation All words spelled correctly No grammar errors Formatting makes the post more interesting and easier to read. Few spelling errors Few grammar errors Some formatting to help make the post easier to read Several spelling errors Several grammar errors Formatting makes it difficult to follow or read. Many words misspelled Many grammar errors Formatting makes post difficult to read or follow Multimedia Multiple pieces of multimedia (video, images, links, etc.) Multimedia adds new information or perspective to the post Several pieces of multimedia used Multimedia adds some new information and gives perspective to the post Few pieces of multimedia used Multimedia adds no new information No multimedia Community Several links to places that add to readers understanding Post is fully categorized and tagged Several links included that add to the reader’s understanding Post may be categorized or tagged Only “easy” links Posts may be categorized or tagged. No links Posts are not tagged or categorized. Frequency Posts are always written at the start of each class If they are not written/completed at the start of the class, they are done within 24 hours. Student is always on task during blogging time Student responds to more than one person’s blog each week. Several posts are often written at the start of each class. Student is almost always on task during blogging time. Student responds to at least 1 blog each week. Many weekly posts are missing Student is sometimes on task during blogging time. Student responds to blogs many weeks. The student is missing several blog posts or did not blog during the semester. The student is often off task. Student has responded to few blogs or not at all. Name: ________________ Total Score: ____________