Safe Blogging - Potential Sites

A quick hello and thanks for your work so far - the blogs are looking good, indicating that you have all established some comfort level with the idea of blogging.

Several folks have done some legwork, checking into the need fora secure blogging sponsor for our classroom blogs. We're making progress and I've heard from several sponsors about limits and conditions. I'll keep you posted. If you run across anything, post it here, (type in the link in your comment) for others to see.

Once I have some definites, I'll speak with Eunice if there are costs involved.

I don't know about you, but things are very hectic here - hope all is well -

BTW: feel free 2 check out sites that show u how 2 'short-hand', it'll save u time!

What sounds good to you?

Now that you've heard a little bit about the possibilities, let's take a minute to brainstorm some project ideas. No commitment - but if we put together a rich list of potential applications, we'll improve the chances of all of us designing great student blog projects. Please note - feel free to come back to this POST at any time to add to our list - your idea may help another! I'll go first.....

Stay calm - focus on the basics

I know there's a lot of information coming at you quickly. It will become as familiar as e-mail to you shortly, with a little practice - promise!

Just 2 clarifications:

1) What's the difference between a POST and a COMMENT?

A POST is authored by the blog sponsor - in our case, me. A COMMENT is authored by any of our team members. Remember this blog has been set up to only allow team members to contribute (as opposed to the entire web community!). For us, that's all registered course participants.

As the course continues, you will be allowed to author posts on this site (initiate conversations, ask questions, solicit ideas & feedback) and ultimately, you'll author your own blog spot and facilitate that for your students.

2) In what order do POSTS and COMMENTS appear?

Here's the thing - and it will take a little time to get used to....
POSTS appear in REVERSE chronological order, with the last, most recent entry at the top. The older stuff gets pushed to the bottom of the screen.

Post 3 Thursday
Post 2 Wednesday
Post 1 Monday

COMMENTS appear in chronological order, with the oldest, first entry at the top. The newest stuff appears at the bottom of the list.

Comment 1 Tuesday
Comment 2 Wednesday
Comment 3 Friday

OK, any questions? You can post a couple of quick comments to see how the chronology develops.

Navigation - Where am I?

Navigation is fairly simple once you understand the different views available. For example, when you can see the name of our blog "Blogging" and ONLY my posts to the blog, you are on the HOME PAGE - first level. It's kind of like a directory, giving you an idea of what's going on.

There are two ways to explore further to see what comments members have posted.

1) From the HOME PAGE view, click on the comments section at the end of a post. From this view, member comments to each post will appear separately in a scrolling pop-up window - my own preference.

2) A second way to view posts and comments together can be accessed by clicking on one of the PREVIOUS POSTS listed on the left hand side of the HOME PAGE. We'll call this the EXPANDED VIEW. This method will reveal to you my post and any comments members have contributed.

If you're currently in the EXPANDED VIEW , return to the HOME PAGE, using the "HOME" link below and work you way between the two different views. Not understanding how to view post comments will be frutrating as we continue.

Welcome to our team blog!

Now that you've accepted our invitation to join, you can contribute to this blog by posting comments. You probably got to this blog by clicking the e-mail link. In the future, you can get to our blog directly by typing in the URL: http://lpsbloggers.blogspot.com

Before logging off, post a comment to this 'post' to let us know you're here. Let us know if you had any difficulty and include a short overview of your 'blogedge' - (knowledge & familiarity with blogging). Include your real initials in your note, so that we can tell who you are in case your screen name is mysterious!thanks!

Bingo - You've Found Blogspot!

Congratulations on finding your way here. We are going to have a great time learning about blogging, reading, reading about blogging, blogging and designing blog projects!

Take a moment to click around to see what's here and how this free blog site works. Click on those things called 'posts' and try to make 'comments' - see what happens...

Notice that since you are not yet a registered invited member of the blog called "Blogging", you can only read what's been happening. In order to participate, you have to accept the invitation you were sent!

Please note, you do not have to create a 'blog' to register - just respond to the e-mail link that was sent to you.

Now, go back to your e-mail to register,

Thanks!