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Blogging is a great opportunity for ESL learners to describe their experience and practice new skills.

The Use of Blogs in LINC Classes

Hi, my name is Bonnie and I'm interested in creating a blog.
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Video for Creating your Blog

Blogs can be used for giving instructions to students in the form of a video.  For example, you might want to create a video giving steps to create one's first Blog.

Once you've uploaded your basic "how to" videos, you can add more advanced steps.  For example, you might want your students to know how to create  a "link-list" to all classmates' blogs to develop an online classroom community.

Educational Uses of Blogs

• Standard class webpages
• addressing recurring questions/issues
• Interesting developments that relate to the theme of the course (via instructor)
• current events, relevant blogs or websites etc.
• Organization of in class discussion and activities
• Blogging has distinct advantages over more common threaded discussion in its support of style, ownership and identity
• Creating and uploading "how-to" videos
• Group Projects: students create (and present) a group project using a blog
• Requiring students to write their own blogs as part of their grade
• In conjunction with an assignment; e.g. an article review, reading reflection etc.

Benefits to ELL Learners for Using Blogs

• Students learn course material both individually and collaboratively
• Learning from peers is enhanced through blog/wiki visits
• Students Improve writing skills
• Students write for a "public" audience (encourages focus on accuracy and editing skills).
• Authentic use of English Language
• Students learn the potential uses of blogs and learn to create a digital identity
• More teacher-student contact through e-mail
• Teacher learns from the students
• Forum for peer social interaction
• Students express their individuality and values
• Gives shy students the opportunity to find their 'voice'

Sample ELL Weblogs (blogs)

• Journal. diary style, linear

• Latest entry is listed at the top

• examples

• Intermediate ELL Writing Class

• abdullahblog-altamimi

• hIntermediate ELL Reading Class

• ELL Beginner Writing

What is a blogosphere?

• Blogosphere is the collective term meaning all blogs as a community or social network.  Many weblogs are inter-connected; bloggers read others' blogs, link to them, reference them in their own writing, and post comments on each others' blogs.  Because of this, the interconnected blogs have grown their own culture. (e.g. technocrats.com).

What is a Blog?

What are Blogs?

• Websites where entries are made in journal style and displayed in a reverse chronological order

• Blogs often provide commentary on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries.

Wikipedia

Creating Your First Post

Your First Post

Your first post will likely be the most difficult one.  Once you've posted the first time, you'll likely find   it much easier the second time.   In the menu bar above, you'll see a number of icons allowing you to do things like add photos, video and/or hyperlinks to your posts.

If this is your first experience with blogs, you might want to check out  the following "Blogs in Plain English" Youtube clip:   What is a blog?

Another introductory site for ELL teachers is Blogging for English Language Learners.

Finally, to check out a variety of ELL related blogs, visit the site Best ELL Blogs.

Of course, you can make your Blog look much more appealing by choosing a theme, choosing a lay-out and adding images or other multi-media to your blog.

To add a photo, click on the insert image file from the task bar above and follow the instructions.  You must have an image file (.jpg or .png) ready to upload.   Here is a simple mugshot.

Jason Brown (Lecturer, Thompson Rivers University)