Podcast Assignment - Disney's California Adventure!

Comparison of Different Blogging Platforms

My company actually uses Wordpress to help run parts of our site, as well as to maintain our company blog.  One benefit to using Wordpress is it has multiple uses for its platform (though not all of it is free) and many take programming or html skills. I learned to use Wordpress last year and remember having a harder time picking it up then I did with Blogger and Tumblr. 

Though I am familiar with Wordpress I decided to create this assignments blog using Blogger.  Compared to Wordpress I feel like Blogger is more clear-cut and user friendly, as well as free. I know that Google seems to be taking over the world, but I love when everything coordinates and works together.  Google is also really great at keeping things simple and not over doing it, though that could also create some complaints. 

Tumblr was the last platform I looked at. Overall it was simple and user friendly. I liked the tabs to use text, add photo, quote, link etc.  Though all the platforms have these abilities, I felt that Tumblr’s stick out more and were easier to find and use. This sight is full of color and graphic design.  

All these platforms have the necessary tools of adding text, pictures, video, links, etc. to create a good blog. When it comes down to which one is best I would say preference and convenience would most likely play the largest role. 

Best Practices for Blogging

Having just read about best practices for keeping a blog here are some of the main ideas that stuck out to me.  Some may be more applicable to education while others may be better used for personal or company blogs.

1. Set Standards and Establish Norms ₍₃₎

It’s important to set rules and guidelines for what the blog is about and what is and is not appropriate to be shared. In working with students it’s important they understand the rules and standards for keeping a blog and that there are consequences to straying from the standards.

2. What Happens on the Web, Stays on the Web ₍₂₎

When writing a blog or anything on the Internet it’s important to remember that the information becomes public to the world. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider what you are posting and it’s purpose. In working with students it’s important they understand this concept, as to avoid hurtful words and stories being shared and spread around classrooms and schools.  

3. Define a Purpose for Each Blog ₍₄₎

There should be a purpose for each post. For students it will help them stay on task and keep the set standards. For companies it will help from wondering to different topics and help keep viewers engaged.  Having a purpose will also help in keep blog post short and sweet. We all know too much text is never a good thing.

4. Reading Stuff that has Nothing to do with Your Job ₍₁₎

Reading widely can help in creating new ideas and broadening perspectives.  It can also help to bring in a larger audience. In business the more people you can reach and engage with who you are a company, the better.  Having more knowledge and insight to the world makes everything more interesting.

5. Don’t Hide Your Personality ₍₁₎

It’s no fun reading plain old text. Adding personality to actual text or to the layout of the blog helps attract readers and keeps them coming back for more. No one wants to read the same boring blog over and over.  By adding personality you are helping to entertain readers as they gain new insight and knowledge, in this way you really can get your point  (purpose) across. 

Sources: 

1. Inbound Marketing “What the Best Business Bloggers Do (and You Should Too)

http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/blogging-best-practices-list

2. Rochester Institute of Technology “Safe Social Networking and Blogging”

http://www.rit.edu/security/content/safe-social-networking-and-blogging

3. Classroom 2.0 “Best Practices in Educational Blogging”

http://www.classroom20.com/profiles/blogs/best-practices-in-educational-blogging

4. Edudemic “8 Tips for Blogging with Student”

http://www.edudemic.com/blog-with-students/

Blog 1 - Educational Blogs

It was interesting seeing the different ways in which educators use blogs. Here are some of the ways I found blogs were used:

• Classroom blogs where students’ actively participated on what was written and what they were learning, students were able to share their experiences and knowledge.
• Blogs presenting teaching ideas and activities for educators to use in individual classes (blogs are a great places to pick up new information and teaching techniques).
• Blogs from Principals, Teachers, and Liberians giving updates to what is happening in their classrooms and at schools for parents and others to read.
• Blogs also containing video clips on classroom exercises and activities. Online conferencing could be used for this as well.
• Using blogs as a way to correspond with other classes or school in games, debts, or introducing new cultures. 

In looking through different blogs and sites, I found myself skipping over or quickly leaving pages that were covered in adds or lots of side tabs.  I loved finding a simple blog with a few pictures and paragraphs, with distinct titles and headings.

The main blogs that I looked at were:

1.  Virtual Debates (http://virtualdebate.weebly.com)

2.  Spelling It Out Blog (http://spellingitoutblog.wordpress.com)

3.  Edutech for Teachers (http://edutech4teachers.edublogs.org/?utm_campaign=Listly&utm_medium=list&utm_source=listly)

In my Learning Theory class with Debbie Field had us keep a blog through the semester to track a new skill we were learning. I found my experience became more meaningful as I wrote down my thoughts and feelings on what I was learning. It was also interesting seeing where I started and all the learning that occurred along the way.  

Being in the corporate world I could use blogs to communicate company updates, post employee trainings, unite employees (employee highlight, get to know you), or update stakeholder and the community about any exciting changes or news occurring.