# Blogger

| Name of Tool | Website URL                                        | Cost | Download or             Web-based | 1 sentence                description of the      tool |
| ------------ | -------------------------------------------------- | ---- | --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Blogger      | [https://www.blogger.com](https://www.blogger.com) | Free |                                   |                                                        |

## Description of the Tool

Blogger is just one of many blog publishing services that allows different people to publish and store their post or blogs online. Blogger is a free blog publishing site. They allow you to create your blog with many different designs and options. I'm going to walk you through some of the art of blogging and Blogger's services.

## How to Use This Tool

I'm going to walk you through some of the art and basics of blogging. To start a blog in Blogger you will first go to the Blogger home page. Once you are at Blogger.com you will need to create a google account if you don't already have one. If you have a google account already simply click Log in and create a new account. Next, you will click the "New Blog" button. Here you will need to choose a name that is not already taken for your blog. This make take a few attempts to get one that is accepted. Once the blog name is available it will appear with a green checkmark besides the address.

![Blogger Create New Blog](https://1991663778-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LA9urbOJQ_tRI1lg-Pp%2F-LA9wlmmSRhw-N9JULzz%2F-LA9wt_TOmZh7F44UtJ3%2Fcreate-new-blog.png?generation=1523823390486895\&alt=media)

Next, you will choose a template for your blog from the options on the screen under the theme tab on the left- hand side of the page.

![Blogger Template](https://1991663778-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LA9urbOJQ_tRI1lg-Pp%2F-LA9wlmmSRhw-N9JULzz%2F-LA9wtaPoYlJt0dhhdG9%2Ftemplate.png?generation=1523823395286409\&alt=media)

After choosing your template or design for your blog you are ready to start blogging. Keep in mind that you will be able to change your design elements and features later as well. You can apply these later using the advanced themes and customize them from your design theme options. Once you select start blogging it will lead you to your home screen. At this screen you can create a "post" and start blogging or choose a different layout and theme for your blog, read your past blog posts, or read and respond to others comments and views on your blog. Let's start with creating a new blog post. Go to "New Post" Button at the top of the screen.

![Blogger Blog Posts](https://1991663778-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LA9urbOJQ_tRI1lg-Pp%2F-LA9wlmmSRhw-N9JULzz%2F-LA9wtb0ghRVs-U6broe%2Fblog-posts.png?generation=1523823395096903\&alt=media)

This will then direct you to another page where you can begin writing your post. Choose a name for your blog post and enter it in the "Title" box.

![Blogger New Blog Post](https://1991663778-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-LA9urbOJQ_tRI1lg-Pp%2F-LA9wlmmSRhw-N9JULzz%2F-LA9wtbmWe4nNO3W28aj%2Fnew-blog-post.png?generation=1523823400117881\&alt=media)

Choose a name for your blog post and enter it in the "Title" box. You are now ready to write your post. Start typing your post in the text box. You will see that you have all the options to change your format, font, font size, and insert pictures and videos to your post. Adding pictures and videos to your blog are quick and easy. Simply click the "Video" or "Picture" image icon from the top menu and it will give you the option to upload your picture or video to your blog post. You did it! You have created a Blogger Blog account and made your first post.

Creating a good blog post does require some key elements. A good blog post requires you to gain the attention and interest of your readers and keep them engaged. The nine pieces of a perfect blog post are the following (DIYThemes):

1. **Headline**- Your goal here is to catch the reader's attention. You want to give the readers a reason to feel compelled to keep reading your blog (DIY Themes, Derek Halpern).
2. **Opening**- Here in your opening paragraph you need to get people to read your first 3-4 sentences. The point is to compel your readers to keep reading.
3. **Half-width image**- People prefer to have fewer characters per line. The half-width image shortens the length of the opening. Use an image with around 200-250 pixels wide. You may need to use an image editor to do this (DIY Themes, Derek Halpern). People are attracted to pictures and a visual. Use a picture or video in your blog to bring attention and help accentuate your blog and what you are talking about.
4. **Sub-Head**- Your sub-headline has one main purpose. You have to persuade people to read your first main piece of content (DIY Themes, Derek Halpern).
5. **Content**- Your first actual paragraph and piece of content should trigger a reaction based on emotions from your reader (DIY Themes, Derek Halpern). Get them to feel something. People are more likely to keep reading your post and take action if you trigger an emotion in them.
6. **The Soundbite**- The soundbite is a tweetable quote. People love to share and retweet quotes on Twitter. Research has found that when you leave a quote or Soundbite, you are more likely to get more views on your blog. To do this add: class="alert" to your tag DIY Themes, Derek Halpern).

For example: < p class="alert"> "your quote here" < /p>

This is a default tag line that creates the little yellow box to help create your soundbite or tweetable quote (DIY Themes, Derek Halpern).

To create the link by hand please see [DIYThemes.com/thesis/perfect-blog-post/](https://github.com/ioben/hdr-tech-ebook/tree/f49aa7ff791561bdf811d2228a203f1a9ac534f4/technologies/blogger/DIYThemes.com/thesis/perfect-blog-post/README.md)

1. **Sub-heading**- Here is where you will tell people what they are going to learn in the next section (DIY Themes, Derek Halpern) . A preview if you will of what is to come.
2. **Content**- This the how-to section of your blog (DIY Themes, Derek Halpern). This is where you write your main subject matter. Give people advice. People want practical advice that they will get results from (DIY Themes, Derek Halpern). If you them the results from whatever you are advising them on, they will always remember your advice and blog (DIY Themes, Derek Halpern.
3. **Buy or Subscribe**- Close your article and ask the reader to do something. Ask them to subscribe to your blog, which basically means that they want to keep reading and following your blog or to buy whatever you are selling (DIY Themes, Derek Halpern).

## How Can This Tool Be Used By The Teacher/Trainer?

Teachers can use blogging and Blogger to reflect on their own teaching and practices and share ideas with other educators. Through sharing practices with other educators they can learn new ideas and best practices that other teachers have used and worked in the classroom.

Blogging can also be used to journal and keep track of their daily teachings and assignments. This helps to keep an organized diary of what is taught each day in class and can use it to look back on as needed.

## How Can This Tool be Used by the Trainer/Teacher to Support Student Learning?

Blogger and Blogging can be used in many different ways by the Teacher or Trainer to help their students. Teachers can use Blogger to post resources, and lessons and homework assignments for their students. They can post resources to their lessons for the day or homework assignments or links to other helpful resources and readings.

Teachers can use blogs to make private blogs seen only by their class, parents, and school. To do this, go to the Blogger Dashboard, click on "Settings," then "Permissions" and set who can view your blog. Teachers can use blogs to help their students master content from their lectures and improve their writing skills dramatically.

Blogging helps teachers develop skills in analysis and critque in their students, inclusion and display of multimedia, student discussions outside of the classroom increase, and they are able to create forum and group projects outside of class through Blogging.

There are eleven tips for using Blogging in the Classroom to help make it effective.

1. **Be mindful of Guidelines and Expectations**- Check with your school for a written guideline or policy on Blogging and what is expected. Develop goals, guidelines, and expectations for your students, you as the teacher, and parents on participation in the blog (Pappas).
2. **Integrate Classroom Curriculum**- Blogging can be used across the curriculum in each of the subjects (Pappas).
3. **English is for Everyone**- Blogging requires good subject knowledge and writing skills (Pappas). Even if the subject is math or science you should set aside 5-10 minutes to go over one or two key points that will make your students better writers (Pappas).
4. **The How To Of Commenting**- The comment section is where students can share thoughts and opinions and have a discussion about the published content (Pappas). We should teach students the do's and don'ts of proper commenting and feedback (Pappas).
5. **Be Realistic**- Building a blog takes time and effort. Start small. Focus on starting a classroom blog focusing on one topic where everyone can contribute and learn the how to's of blogging (Pappas).
6. **Read Other Blogs**- Take the time to read other classroom and student blogs (Pappas). Give students examples of good blogs and give them ideas so they can create their own effective blogs (Pappas).
7. **Be consistent**- If students lose interest in blogging and posts the blogging becomes sloppy. Set a goal of a post every so many days or weeks and be consistent (Pappas).
8. **Plagiarism**- Explain to students what it is and how not to do it (Pappas).
9. **Network with other bloggers**- Encourage students to collaborate with and read other bloggers blogs (Pappas).
10. **Dive into social media**- If any of your blogs are public use social media as a resource for spreading the word about your blogs and getting more views and comments (Pappas).
11. **Hang in there**- Creating blogs and trying this new way of learning can be time-consuming, but there is a good chance most of the class will be excited to try it and implement blogging in the classroom (Pappas).

## How Can This Tool be Used by Students?

I found a great resource by a secondary teacher in Australia who uses Blogging regularly. She lists twenty reasons students should blog.

1. **It's Fun**- Students have fun and forget that they are even learning in the process (Mercha).
2. **Authentic Audience**- It is no longer just a teacher observing and commenting on their work but they get to receive feedback from many others (Mercha).
3. **It suits all learning styles**- Special education students, gifted students, the average student all can learn and use blogging (Mercha).
4. **Increased motivation for writing**- It is an outlet for students to vent or journal and increases motivation to write (Mercha). Many continue to use it on their own personal time beyond the assignment.
5. **Improved confidence levels** (Mercha).
6. **Pride in their work** (Mercha).
7. **Fosters Peer to Peer mentoring** (Mercha).
8. **Allows student led professional development** (Mercha).
9. **Parents can immediately view their childrens work, offer support, critique, etc.** (Mercha).

There are ten more reasons discussed in the article why students should use Blogging and how it helps them. See the full article for more advantages of Blogging. The benefits of blogging for students are numerous.

The benefits and advantages of Blogging and using Blogger for teachers and students are many. Teachers should encourage more Blogging in the classroom and use it for their own personal preparations as well. Students will become stronger writers, readers and students as they implement good blogging skills in their studies.

## Training and Other Resources

Here is a list of videos that I found helpful in learning more about Blogger and Blogging:

* **11 Tips for Using Blogs in the Classroom**- This site has video and text on how to implement blogging in the classroom- [https://elearningindustry.com/how-to-use-blogs-in-the-classroom](https://elearningindustry.com/how-to-use-blogs-in-the-classroom)
* **Using Blogger in the classroom video**- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RECxzQ44thy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RECxzQ44thy)
* **Blogger Tutorial for Beginners**- [http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=blogger+tutorials+beginners\&view=detail\&mid=6A023F83FE1F128C611F6A023F83FEI\*Setting](http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=blogger+tutorials+beginners\&view=detail\&mid=6A023F83FE1F128C611F6A023F83FEI*Setting)
* **Blog Templates**- [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J\_39eioBNw](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_39eioBNw)

## References

* Five Strategies to Become a Successful Blogger [https://www.Bloggertutorials.blogspot.com/2016/03/5-strategies-to-become-successful.html](https://www.bloggertutorials.blogspot.com/2016/03/5-strategies-to-become-successful.html)
* Blogger Tutorial for Beginners- setting up the blog templates [https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=blogger+tutorials+beginners\&view+detail\&mid=6A023F83FE1F128C611F6A023F83FE1How](https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=blogger+tutorials+beginners\&view+detail\&mid=6A023F83FE1F128C611F6A023F83FE1How) to Create a Blogger Blog Step by Step [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J\_39eioBNw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_39eioBNw)
* Key Elements to a Good Blog Post- Derek Halpern [https://www.DIYthemes.com/thesis/perfect-blog-post/](https://www.diythemes.com/thesis/perfect-blog-post/)
* Helps you create or do anything on Blogger and solve any problems [https://www.bloggertipsandtricks.com](https://www.bloggertipsandtricks.com)
* Tips and tricks to a good Blogger Blog. Retired web designer Dana, walks you through starting a blog and more advanced tips. [https://www.Icanbuildablog.com/create-a-blogger-blog/](https://www.icanbuildablog.com/create-a-blogger-blog/)
* How to Blog Like an Expert: 10 Tips from Top Travel blogs- The Blog 5-2-201 [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephanie-be/how-to-blog-like-an-exper\_b\_5254922.html](https://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephanie-be/how-to-blog-like-an-exper_b_5254922.html)
* Blogger Help Forum [https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!forum/blogger](https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!forum/blogger)
* Getting Started With Google Blogger [https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-google-blogger-1616420](https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-google-blogger-1616420)
* Why Students Should Blog- Murcha, March 14, 2008 [https://murcha.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/20-reasons-why-students-should-blog/](https://murcha.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/20-reasons-why-students-should-blog/)
* [https://static.googleusercontent.com/en//educators/activities/pdfs\_GTA/cribsheet.Blogger3.pdf](https://static.googleusercontent.com/en/educators/activities/pdfs_GTA/cribsheet.Blogger3.pdf)
* 11 Tips for Using Blogs in the Classroom [https://elearningindustry.com/how-to-use-blogs-in-the-classroom](https://elearningindustry.com/how-to-use-blogs-in-the-classroom)
* Mrs. Drasby's Ed Tech Babble 3/21/16 Ideas for Using Blogger in the Classroom
* Blogging in the Classroom- How to Get Started Dec. 15, 2016 by Karen
* Using Blogger in the Classroom Video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RECx2Q44thy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RECx2Q44thy)
