Creating a Class Blog
Neal W. Topp, Ph.D.
University of Nebraska at Omaha

What is a Blog?
A blog, derived from the term "Web log," is a website where content is written in a journal entry style. My favorite is Blogger, http://www.blogger.com
What is a Wiki?
A wiki is a type of website that permits users to edit available content. Wikis are designed with the philosophy of making it easy to collaborate, with anyone able to edit the wiki. My favorite is Wikispaces, http://www.wikispaces.com/

Source -- http://www.citt.ufl.edu/toolbox/ A great website with information on technology and other educational innovations.

Which one should you use?
If you want most of the control, use a blog.
If you want the site to be collaboratively written, use a wiki.

Examples of Middle School Blogs
http://mcclungsblog.blogspot.com/
http://guysread.typepad.com/theblurb/
http://www.goodhabitsgoodstudents.com/blog/
http://barber.typepad.com/henson-heard/

Examples of Blogs in Math Classrooms
http://ajloch.blogspot.com/
http://sargentparkmathzone.blogspot.com/
http://mathteachermambo.blogspot.com/
http://spmath87308.blogspot.com/

Examples of Wikis in Math Classrooms
http://sargentpark8.wetpaint.com/
http://817eportfolios09.wikispaces.com/

Setting up a Blog

Go to Google, more, even more, Blogger
Create a Google account (or use an existing Google or Gmail account)
Select Create a blog
Complete the form:
Choose a blog title
Create a blog url
Complete the verification
Select a template
Make the setting you wish (see below)
Invite participants (optional)

Considerations for the settings
Who can add comments?
Class only, then they need invite each student,
so you need a list of student email addresses
invite them in the Settings--permission tab
the students will have to accept the invitation in their own email and make a Google account (they can use their own email if they wish)
Who can make posts?
Who can read?

To delete the blog -- Settings, Basic
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Below is a set of example instructions that can be used to give to students who are entering comments in your blog. This example allows anyone to read the blog, but only invited members (class members) to comment, and only the teacher can post. Also, in this case, all students must have a gmail account.

Guidelines for adding comments in Topp’s class blog

First of all you must be invited to participate in our blog.
As soon as you receive your invitation in your gmail account, click on the link and enter your gmail password and click on “Accept Invitation.”

The url is
http://????????.blogspot.com

Click on “Comments” or “Post your Comments”
Enter your comment in the comment box
Enter your google or gmail login
Enter your password
Click on “Publish Your Comment”

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Please complete the blog presentation evaluation questionnaire.

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Neal W. Topp, Ph.D.
UNO -- June 2009