Getting Started In Blogging

Welcome to tips and tricks on setting up your blogs!  Information on here will cover the following:

  • Getting Started
  • Blogging Platforms
  • Online Safety
GETTING STARTED
The best idea is to have a look at other people's / other classes' blogs.  There is a huge range out there!  Start with some of the ones on the sidebar of the homepage of this blog and, through these, you will find links to other blogs.

It is also vital, if you are setting up blogs for your students, that you make sure you are aware of your school's Cybersafety / Internet Use policy / policies.  

BLOGGING PLATFORMS / PROVIDERS
There are many providers out there but we've started by listing the main ones, along with some information on each one.  Just click on the title of the blogging platform to link to the site.

BLOGGER - www.blogger.com
Blogger is a simple to use platform that allows you to create a blog as an individual or a group.  You can add authors, choose your privacy settings, customise your pages.
Below is a youtube video tutorial to help get you started.  Blogger also has a 'Help' link that is very easy to navigate.




WORDPRESS - wordpress.org
Wordpress is a blog tool and publishing platform.  It can be used to create a blog or a website.  You need to download the programme in order to be able to use it; this is a simple step and they also offer many tips and tricks along with support to get started.
Below is another tutorial courtesy of Youtube to help get you started.  The presenter goes through all the basics and explains in clear and simple terms the benefits of using WordPress.  He also provides examples of completed blogs / sites.




EDUBLOGS - www.edublogs.org
The Edublogs site includes many features that may suit schools / classes better than the other more 'open' blogging platforms.
They provide some of the following features:
Why Edublogs - this includes a quick overview, ideas about why we should blog in schools, comparisons with the other main blogging platforms of Blogger and WordPress, how to get help / support with blogging from setting up individual blogs to whole classes / schools.



ONLINE SAFETY / DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP
Our students need to learn the skills of being a digital citizen.  Many of the tips and tricks are useful for all users to be aware of.

Please check out the links on the sidebar of the blog for more information, lesson plans and websites that help us learn about, and teach others about, online safety.