Communication+and+Collaboration+through+Blogging

= Communication and Collaboration through Blogging =

Description
For this assignment we were asked to create a blog through Blogger.com. Blogger.com enables individuals to create blogs for almost anything. It provides design elements that enable the user to customize the blog a number of ways. Blogger.com also allows the user to add a number of different media to their blog. The author can add viewers and collaborators to their blog by inviting them to the blog through e-mail. Viewers can comment (if allowed by the author) on the posts or create posts themselves if they are added as an author. Blogger.com has a variety of useful tools for creating a content specific blog.

Process to Complete Assignment
When I first read the assignement I needed to determine how I was going to tie my blog into my virtural classroom. After I decided exactly how it would be used in the virtural class I needed to go to Blogger.com and create an account. The account set-up was easy and took minutes. Once I created the account I then started to design my blog. I picked a template from the list of available templates and then started to tweak it by adding a banner (the one from my virtural class for continuity) and changing the colors and fonts for a better viewing experience. Once the design was complete I started adding material to the blog. I added a podcast, video, picture, rss feed from the History Channel and an introduction that I translated into Irish (not sure why just thought it would be fun). Once that was compete I invited members of the class to view and post on my blog. The process was very easy to complete.

Reflection
I found the process of creating a blog very simple. From the sign-up to the actual creation of the blog was made very simple by Blogger.com. They offer a variety of design elements and you can add numerous media to your blog that the possibilities for blogging are unlimited. As a history teacher I think blogs could be used to discuss various controversies in history (was Columbus a hero or villain?). I would also like to use it for book discussion. Summer reading could be made more interesting if students were given a blog to discuss and analyze the different books. For this assignment I created a blog that covers a specific time period (Reconstruction) and I found that this could be a very useful tool for making information available to students and giving them a place to comment. I think that is the best aspect of the blog, being able to write and comment on posts. So few students know how to write today that every chance they get to communicate using the written word is so important. Blogs are an excellent way for them to get in that practice.

Link to Blog
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Resources for Blog
References Blogger.com [Computer program]. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17, 2010, from http://www.blogger.com Burns, J. (Instructor). (2006, January 23). //Reconstruction// [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from http://webcast.berkeley.edu/‌course_details.php?seriesid=1906978276 LearningMediaofAmerica (Producer). (2008, January 30). Reconstruction of the US [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/‌watch?v=rH5cvw7P2a4&feature=player_embedded This Day in History. (n.d.). //History Channel//. Retrieved from []