The Time Has Come to Be Creative Communicators!!

This week we will start one of my favorite "jobs."  This week I will launch you all in to the blogging pool.  This will be a slow process.  You will start in the shallow end of the pool and be wearing swimmies.  Have no worries.  I am sure most of you will be swimming with the sharks by the end of the school year.   We will start be finding out what you know about blogging with a Kahoot.
One of the first things we will do is to "dissect" a blog; learning all of its parts.
The next important component of blogging here at BIS is understanding the BPS Blogging and Commenting Guidelines.  These guidelines were created by students at BIS.  I am so proud of the work they did to create them!
After reviewing the guidelines you will create your first post; paper post.  In this post you will introduce yourselves to the world!

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Blogging Again

Please take a look at the agenda on the boards as those items are my expectations for the day.  I have left a packet of resources on each of your workstations.  Be sure to use them and leave them for my next class.  Use the outline below to guide your through today's class:

1. Using your apps launcher, sign in to Google Drive.
2. Create a "new" document and title it. (ie; new blog post, Feb blog post, etc.)
3. Write your post.  It doesn't have to be school related, but does have to be school appropriate.   Think about your blog title.  Your post should match your title.  You may use Google and the Internet to find any information you will need for your post.  Be sure to cite any sources you use.
4. Once you have finished this draft, ask a classmate to "peer edit" your post.
5. Make necessary corrections to your post based on your classmate's suggestions.
6. Find, save (to your pdrive) and cite (paste the URL on your doc) an image for your post.  There is a resource in your packet reviewing the process for finding and saving images.  Be sure to use the advanced search filter!!!
7. You will then open Blogger and paste your new post on your blog.  There is a resource in your packet which shows you how to open Blogger and create a new post.  Be sure to use it!!!
8. You will then take one last look at your blog using the "Blog Post Checklist" which is the first page of your resource packet.  
9. If you are comfortable; hit that "Publish" button.  Be sure you have included a Post Title and Labels!!
10. If you are not comfortable, hit the "Save" button and I will double check it next class.

This process should take you the entire class.  You must get this post done in this one class.  If you have any time left before the end of class, please work on your blog design.  You may not listen to music, play games (including fish on your blog) or watch videos!!!

  ~Mrs. White :)

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Stay Calm and Blog On!!

As promised I am giving you an opportunity to create and publish another blog post in class this week.  Most of my classes have finished discussion the Social Media Survey results.  If we have not yet finished, we will do so by the end of the week.  I know the end of the year feels very close, but please remember we still have a lot of work to do and my expectations remain high for all of my students.

I will not be in class on Wednesday and some of my Thursday classes as I will be in a meeting which means you will have a substitute in the room.  You will be given the instructions to read EVERY word of my blog post.  Please be sure to read everything before clicking or doing!!!!

You will be using this time to create and publish a new blog post.  This post may be about anything.  It does not have to be school related, but must be school appropriate.  Of course, as always, you may use Pinterest or other resources for inspiration.  However, you should not be spending more than 10 or 15 minutes on such sites.  Please be sure to take some time and find a way to link your readers to a site or source to support your post.  An appropriate image would also be great.  Be sure to give a link for the image unless you created it yourself!!  This post will need to be edited by a classmate.  Before asking for a "peer edit", be sure you have gone through the post yourself.  Peer editors; please be sure to double check for capital letters (especially I's) as well as other grammatical errors.  Remember, you are not commenting on the content, but checking to be sure Blogging Guidelines have been followed.
Once your post has had another set of "eyes" check it out, you should publish it.

You should then work in your Digital Literacy and Citizenship iText.  This can be found in your iBooks.  You should have competed and submitted two lessons to me.  They are Unit 1, Lesson #1:  Digital Life 101 and Unit 2, Lesson #1:  My Media.

If you have finished your post and both of the iText lessons, you may either read other blog posts from your Feedly accounts or "pin" for inspiration for your next post.

**ILT #14 I will collect your Blog Design Rubrics on Friday during class.**

Remember; you are NOT to listen to music, play games, or watch random videos!!!  Please use your critical thinking skills and Effective Effort strategies.  I am confident you will do a great job!
---Mrs. White

Another Look At Comments and Blog Post #2

Happy Veteran's Day to all of the men and women who have served and given of themselves in order for us to live our lives in a free country.  The sacrifices you and your families have made are extraordinary and for these I am eternally grateful!!

This week some of you will only have one tech class due to our Monday holiday. You will all have the opportunity to assess your first blog post using the rubric I have given you. I will take your self-assessment and add my opinions and a score.  Please be sure to take your time with this activity as it is a very important one.  It will take me a little time to read through all of your blog posts; so please be patient with me.  I will get you this score and feedback as soon as I can.\

I really want you to be able to create your next blog post.  Many of you were inspired by your Pinterest explorations last week.  I would like you to complete the Commenting Activity I have created for you. You should have time left before the end of class to be able to work on your second blog post. You Please be sure to follow your Blogging Guidelines as you are working on this second post.  I would like you to create your post on a Google doc before uploading and publishing it on your blog.  It would be a great idea to have a classmate edit your post before you publish it.

I will not be in our lab on Wednesday or Thursday this week, as I have my class on those days.  I will be at school, but not teaching in our lab so you may see me in the hallways.  Please read this blog post carefully.  I will expect to see the "5 Tips or Pointers" for the Commenting Activity completed correctly before you start your second blog post.  I would like you to have a classmate read your blog post before you publish.  Please remember to cite images and sources correctly.  All of the resources are still in the folders next to your work stations.  Please be sure to use them.

**You will need to take a moment to add your name and blog URL to the Google doc I have shared with you.  You all have permission to edit.  Please be careful when typing on this document.  Be sure to copy the URL when you are "Viewing" your blog; not on your dashboard.  Your classmates will use this doc to find your blog and leave you comments.

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Drum Roll Please..........First Blog Post- TADAH!!

The day has come to upload your first blog post and join the ranks of the rest of those in the global community.  I have given you some feedback and I'd like to make final edits to your posts.  Please be sure to take a look at the BPS Blogging and Commenting Guidelines before uploading your post.  You will find the directions for uploading this post in your Blog Resource Packet which is located next to your workstation.  

Please copy and paste the URL for your blog on the form below.  You will need to click on your ILT# and complete the survey. When you submit the survey, I will have your blog URL so I can take a look at it.  Thanks!

ILT #1

ILT #2

ILT #3

ILT #4

ILT #7

ILT #8

ILT #9

  ILT #10

  ILT #11

  ILT #14

  ILT #16

During class #2 this week you will create a Pinterest account.  I know some of you have personal accounts already.  This account will be your school or "professional" account.  You will use this account to create boards for school.  You will be able to organize resources for school projects on these boards.  The first board you are going to create will be for your blog.  You will then search for resources to use for your future blog posts.  I will share a video which will give you some good tips and tricks for using this resource.  In addition, I would like you to use the Pinterest Help Center as a second resource.  Happy pinning!!

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Friday Classes

Hi my friends!  I will not be in my lab today, but know you will be in very capable hands. It will almost be as if I am there.  Everything you need to know is in this post.  Today you will be creating your "paper" blog post.  **Remember-you are in the shallow end of the pool my little tadpoles.  Next to each of your workstations you will find a lovely yellow folder.  This is the new home for your resources.  PLEASE BE SURE TO LEAVE THIS FOLDER AND ITS CONTENTS NEXT TO YOUR WORKSTATION AT THE END OF CLASS.  DO NOT TAKE IT WITH YOU!!!!  Please find the packet,"Creating Your First Blog Post."  This packet is filled with tips and helpful information.  Please read it carefully.  You will want to pay careful attention to page three.  If you answer questions 1-4 on this page you will automatically create your first blog post.  This post is so important as you are introducing yourselves to your potential readers.  You want to get them hooked so they will keep coming back for more!!   Try to write using complex and creative sentences.  Avoid, "I am Fred.  I like elephants."  This gets boring and your readers will lose interest.  I will have a sample post on the white board for you to check out.  You will be creating this post in your Google Drive.  Follow the same procedure of moving the doc in to your ILT folder that we used during class #1 with your "About Me."
Just a note:  Google was acting a little bit quirky yesterday.  If you are having trouble with it, please log out of Google.  Go to your Open Office folder on your desktops and create this post using Open Office.  Save the document to your pdrive.  Make sure to name the document.  Good luck.
Have fun and be creative.  I cannot wait to watch your go from tadpoles to sharks!!!
See you next week!

Special Notes for Sections:

ILT #2, you have a special lesson today.  You will start class by taking the Blog Interest Survey I have created.  Click the link above and take your time.  When you have finished, please be sure to click the "submit" tab.  You will then be given a form to fill out.  Once you get your work done you know what time it is!!!   See you Monday.

ILT #10 and ILT #11:
I know we had discussed getting your assessment feedback from the substitute today, but when I thought more about it, I decided it wasn't the best plan.  I would like to be able to be there to explain my feedback and be sure everyone understands my comments and your grades.  So I am going to ask you to hang in there for a couple more days.  You will receive your feedback during class #1 next week.  Thanks for understanding!  Have a great weekend!
               Mrs. White:)

Take Two

We are so close.  Unfortunately there were too many factors which were out of our control.  Between fire alarms, absences, and many other things, we were not able to finish recording our podcasts in one week.  Oh well, this is why we are flexible. Needless to say we will be finishing up our recording this week.  I hope most of you will be done in the middle of class one and will be able to start editing.  While your classmates are recording, you will need to remain silent.  If you have found your music please create a new blog post.  I made a suggestion in my last post.  Please take a look.  You should have a minimum of four good posts on your blog at this time.  Please be sure to use your blogging guidelines and have a classmate edit your post.  Check for those "I's"!!!!

When you get ready please use some of the resources below to help you edit your audio tracks.

Audacity Resources:
Document:  Editing Effects in Audacity
Document:  Read How to Edit in Audacity

You should have found your music last week, but just in case you did not please be sure to take the time to do so.  Remember- you will be using open source music.  The music should enhance your podcast.  Think of it as the whipped cream and cherry on top of your sundae.  Your words are the ice cream and toppings; the important part.

I hope we can stay on track with our due date, but I will let you know at the end of the week if we are adjusting it.  So no stress, please!!!!  

Ready, Set, Blog!!

The time has come to create your second blog post.  I hope you are excited about adding another post to your blog.  You will need to be sure to review the BPS Blogging and Commenting Guidelines as you are working on this post.  I would like you to create the draft for your post on a Google doc.  Yes, I am still asking you to keep those “swimmies” on in the deep end of the pool.    As you are working on your post drafts, I will be circulating and checking your work.  Ms. Sweeney found some great new resources to use when blogging.  I will add them to our Blogging Resources and Guides doc, but have also included them in this post.  The first is a “handbook/ebook” for using Google Blogger.  Blogger for Beginners is an on line resource created by Blogger Buster.  It is quite extensive and you can use the table of contents to help you find exactly what you need and then download it in to your Google Docs account.  I have downloaded a hard copy of the “handbook” and have it in the classroom if you find that an easier resource to use.   In addition, Ken Myers wrote a guest post on “Spice Up Your Blog.”  Check out 10 Writing Tips All Bloggers Must Adhere to.   So get yourself ready to add a new post.  You have all of the resources you could ask for at your fingertips.  Ready, set, get blogging!!
**If you were not happy with your grade on your first blog post you may use this one as a retake.  Please be sure to email me and let me know you want to do this.