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=BLOG = A blog is like a diary...only it can contain more than text, and as it is online, both the reader and the writer can access it from anywhere. A blog has regular entries of information (same as a diary), but it can include text, links, images, video…and much more!
 * What is it? **

**Point me to something** [|Blogger]is a blogging tool which is commonly used because it is fairly simple. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of something like Wordpress however it is easy to use and easy to navigate.

**What is happening in education?** > >
 * Blogs are replacing the use of workplace journals - by encouraging students to use a blog instead of a paper-based journal, they can write updates and access it from anywhere, others can access it (eg teacher, trainer, employer, parent etc) and allowing students to read each others blogs can lead to a broader educational experience.
 * They are great tools for the showcasing of student work for building learning, sharing & peer comment eg The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
 * Students can use a blog to document their learning for assessment and/or RPL
 * Blogs are being used by RTOs or educational programs for ongoing course or organisation news eg 'Monday Update‘ blog. This is more effective than a regular email update as it automatically archives old 'editions' and is a more passive way of informing others of news without lots of intrusive emails.
 * Students can use a blog to document and report on the progress of a project, or to reflect on their daily tasks. This can become a valuable tool for assessment.
 * Blogs are also being used for self reflection in RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning), and used in this way, a blog can almost become a type of e-portfolio....or form part of one.

**Examples** >
 * [|Luke’s Work Experience Blog]
 * Jessica Watson's blog, journaling her progress in the yacht, Ella's Pink Lady
 * eGov AU blog
 * Blogs in Education (from WA - great list of links)
 * Using Wikis and Blogs for Assessment in First Year Engineering - UNISA Report
 * Australia Series Blog - weekly free professional development
 * Search for blogs using Google Blog Search or go straight to the Top 100 Education Blogs
 * Another great site is Edu-Blogs which is an Aladdin's cave of educational blogs - like this one from Jo Hartwho uses her personal blog to post overviews of regular weekly webinars which she can use as resources for colleagues when they need e-help. :-)
 * SA E-learning Newsletter (this is an example of a Wordpress blog)

**Show me how...** The video Blogs in Plain English (see below) is an excellent introduction to what blogs are about, but if you still need convincing about the value of blogging, read this teacher's account of how she started blogging in Why Should Educators Blog? When you are ready to begin, the video How to create a blog with Blogger is a good start. If you prefer a printed instruction sheet, try How to Blog using Blogger. Once you're really into writing blogs, [smile] check out How To Write A Blog Post.

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'I blog' photo:: CC licensed Flickr photo by alamodestuff
 * Acknowledgement**

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