INTRODUCTION
A blog (a truncation of the expression web log) is
a discussion or informational site published on the World Wide Web and
consisting of discrete entries ("posts") typically displayed in
reverse chronological order (the most recent post appears first). Until 2009
blogs were usually the work of a single individual, occasionally of a small
group, and often covered a single subject. More recently "multi-author
blogs" (MABs) have developed, with posts written by large numbers of authors
and professionally edited.
The term "weblog" was coined by Jorn Barger on 17 December 1997.
The short form, "blog", was coined by Peter Merholz, who jokingly
broke the word weblog into the phrase we blog in the sidebar of
his blog Peterme.com in April or May 1999. Shortly thereafter, Evan Williams at
Pyra Labs used "blog" as both a noun and verb ("to blog",
meaning "to edit one's weblog or to post to one's weblog") and
devised the term "blogger" in connection with Pyra Labs' Blogger
product, leading to the popularization of the terms.
ORIGINS
The modern blog evolved from the online diary, where people would keep a
running account of their personal lives. Most such writers called themselves
diarists, journalists, or journalers. Justin Hall, who began personal blogging
in 1994 while a student at Swarthmore College, is generally recognized as one
of the earlier bloggers, as is Jerry Pournelle.
Early blogs were simply manually updated components of common Web sites.
However, the evolution of tools to facilitate the production and maintenance of
Web articles posted in reverse chronological order made the publishing process
feasible to a much larger, less technical, population. Ultimately, this
resulted in the distinct class of online publishing that produces blogs we recognize
today.
TYPES
There are many different types of blogs, differing not only in the type of
content, but also in the way that content is delivered or written.
i.
Personal
blogs
The personal blog is an ongoing diary or commentary written by an individual.
ii.
Microblogging
Microblogging is the practice of posting small pieces of digital
content—which could be text, pictures, links, short videos, or other media—on
the Internet. Microblogging offers a portable communication mode that feels
organic and spontaneous to many and has captured the public imagination.
Friends use it to keep in touch, business associates use it to coordinate
meetings or share useful resources, and celebrities and politicians (or their
publicists) microblog about concert dates, lectures, book releases, or tour
schedules. A wide and growing range of add-on tools enables sophisticated
updates and interaction with other applications, and the resulting profusion of
functionality is helping to define new possibilities for this type of
communication.Examples of these include Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and by far
the largest WeiBo.
iii.
Corporate
and organizational blogs
A blog can be private, as in most cases, or it can be for business
purposes. Blogs used internally to enhance the communication and culture in a corporation
or externally for marketing, branding or public relations purposes are called corporate
blogs. Similar blogs for clubs and societies are called club blogs, group
blogs, or by similar names; typical use is to inform members and other
interested parties of club and member activities.
iv.
By
genre
Some blogs focus on a particular subject, such as political blogs, health
blogs, travel blogs (also known as travelogs), gardening blogs, house
blogs,fashion blogs, project blogs, education blogs, niche blogs, classical
music blogs, quizzing blogs and legal blogs (often referred to as a blawgs) or dreamlogs.
How To/Tutorial blogs are becoming increasing popular. Two common types of
genre blogs are art blogs and music blogs. A blog featuring discussions
especially about home and family is not uncommonly called a mom blog and one
made popular is by Erica Diamond who created Womenonthefence.com which is
syndicated to over two million readers monthly. While not a
legitimate type of blog, one used for the sole purpose of spamming is known as
a Splog.
v.
By
media type
A blog comprising videos is called a vlog, one comprising links is called a
linklog, a site containing a portfolio of sketches is called a sketchblog or
one comprising photos is called a photoblog. Blogs with shorter posts and mixed
media types are called tumblelogs. Blogs that are written on typewriters and
then scanned are called typecast or typecast blogs; see typecasting (blogging).
A rare type of blog hosted on the Gopher Protocol is known as a Phlog.
vi.
By
device
Blogs can also be defined by which type of device is used to compose it. A
blog written by a mobile device like a mobile phone or PDA could be called a moblog.
One early blog was Wearable Wireless Webcam, an online shared diary of a
person's personal life combining text, video, and pictures transmitted live
from a wearable computer and EyeTap device to a web site. This practice of
semi-automated blogging with live video together with text was referred to as sousveillance.
Such journals have been used as evidence in legal matters.
vii.
Reverse
blog
A Reverse Blog is composed by its users rather than a single blogger. This
system has the characteristics of a blog, and the writing of several authors.
These can be written by several contributing authors on a topic, or opened up
for anyone to write. There is typically some limit to the number of entries to
keep it from operating like a Web Forum.
BLOGGING AND EDUCATION
As the Internet becomes an
increasingly pervasive and persistent influence in people's lives, the
phenomenon of the blog stands out as a fine example of the way in which the Web
enables individual participation in the marketplace of ideas.Teachers have
picked up on the creative use of this Internet technology and put the blog to
work in the classroom. The education blog can be a powerful and effective
technology tool for students and teachers alike.
Blogs work well for students
because they can be worked on at virtually any time, in any place with an
Internet-enabled computer. Hence, they can be used by computer savvy teachers
to create a classroom that extends beyond the boundaries of the school yard.
User-Friendly Technology
Fortunately for teachers, blogs are surprisingly easy to use. They require minimum technical knowledge and are quickly and easily created and maintained. Unlike many traditional Web sites, they are flexible in design and can be changed relatively easily. Best of all, students will find them convenient and accessible via home or library computers.
Educational Benefits of Blogs
In addition to providing teachers with an excellent tool for communicating with students, there are numerous educational benefits of blogs. Blogs are:
Fortunately for teachers, blogs are surprisingly easy to use. They require minimum technical knowledge and are quickly and easily created and maintained. Unlike many traditional Web sites, they are flexible in design and can be changed relatively easily. Best of all, students will find them convenient and accessible via home or library computers.
Educational Benefits of Blogs
In addition to providing teachers with an excellent tool for communicating with students, there are numerous educational benefits of blogs. Blogs are:
- Highly
motivating to students, especially those who otherwise might not become
participants in classrooms.
- Excellent
opportunities for students to read and write.
- Effective
forums for collaboration and discussion.
- Powerful
tools to enable scaffolded learning or mentoring to occur.
Using the Blog in the
Classroom
As an educational tool, blogs may be integrated in a multi-faceted manner to accommodate all learners. Blogs can serve at least four basic functions.
As an educational tool, blogs may be integrated in a multi-faceted manner to accommodate all learners. Blogs can serve at least four basic functions.
- Classroom
Management
Class blogs can serve as a portal to foster a community of learners. As they are easy to create and update efficiently, they can be used to inform students of class requirements, post handouts, notices, and homework assignments, or act as a question and answer board. - Collaboration
Blogs provide a space where teachers and students can work to further develop writing or other skills with the advantage of an instant audience. Teachers can offer instructional tips, and students can practice and benefit from peer review. They also make online mentoring possible. For example, a class of older students can help a class of younger students develop more confidence in their writing skills. Students can also participate in cooperative learning activities that require them to relay research findings, ideas, or suggestions. - Discussions
A class blog opens the opportunity for students to discuss topics outside of the classroom. With a blog, every person has an equal opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions. Students have time to be reactive to one another and reflective. Teachers can also bring together a group of knowledgeable individuals for a given unit of study for students to network and conference with on a blog.
Student Portfolios
Blogs present, organize, and protect student work as digital portfolios. As older entries are archived, developing skills and progress may be analyzed more conveniently. Additionally, as students realize their efforts will be published, they are typically more motivated to produce better writing. Teachers and peers may conference with a student individually on a developing work, and expert or peer mentoring advice can be easily kept for future reference.
Blogs present, organize, and protect student work as digital portfolios. As older entries are archived, developing skills and progress may be analyzed more conveniently. Additionally, as students realize their efforts will be published, they are typically more motivated to produce better writing. Teachers and peers may conference with a student individually on a developing work, and expert or peer mentoring advice can be easily kept for future reference.
Blog Risks to Consider
School districts have guidelines and acceptable use policies (AUP) regarding the use of school and division-wide computer networks and the Internet. These terms and conditions identify acceptable online behavior and access privileges. Policies regarding the displaying of any student work must be adhered to strictly. Take the necessary steps to secure parental permission before using the blog in a participatory manner.
Blogs may be viewed publicly, as any other Web site. Students must be trained on issues regarding access, privacy, security, and free expression. As blogs have no publisher, producer, or editor, students must carefully consider the content of postings to avoid anything defamatory, libelous, or an infringement upon the rights of others.
Blogs are created by individuals for various and assorted purposes. Content should be recognized as the opinion of the blogger, and, therefore, may not necessarily be factual.
Preparing Students for Blogging
School districts have guidelines and acceptable use policies (AUP) regarding the use of school and division-wide computer networks and the Internet. These terms and conditions identify acceptable online behavior and access privileges. Policies regarding the displaying of any student work must be adhered to strictly. Take the necessary steps to secure parental permission before using the blog in a participatory manner.
Blogs may be viewed publicly, as any other Web site. Students must be trained on issues regarding access, privacy, security, and free expression. As blogs have no publisher, producer, or editor, students must carefully consider the content of postings to avoid anything defamatory, libelous, or an infringement upon the rights of others.
Blogs are created by individuals for various and assorted purposes. Content should be recognized as the opinion of the blogger, and, therefore, may not necessarily be factual.
Preparing Students for Blogging
- Determine
that all students' AUPs are in place and up to date.
- Inform
parents of procedures and secure parental permission.
- Teach
students safe, acceptable, and sensible behavior as online authors and
readers.
- Review
policies and guidelines pertaining to student access.
- Teach
the non-posting rules of no complete names, e-mail accounts, or references
to reveal location.
- Set
clear expectations regarding tone, respect, and consequences.
Steps for Getting Started on Blogs
There are a number of free blogging tools available.
There are a number of free blogging tools available.
- Go
to one of the available free blogging sites (Blogger at www.blogger.com is
a very popular one).
- Provide
the necessary information requested. (user name, password)
- Create
a title for your blog.
- Accept
terms and select a template.
- Publish!
CONCLUSION
The impact of certain “stories” gave greater credibility to blogs as a
medium of news dissemination. Though often seen as partisan gossips, bloggers
sometimes lead the way in bringing key information to public light, with
mainstream media having to follow their lead. More often, however, news blogs
tend to react to material already published by the mainstream media. Meanwhile,
an increase in number of experts’ blogged, make blogs a source of in-depth
analysis.
Blogs are digital platforms that provide students with a medium for sharing
knowledge and experiences that go beyond the traditional means of reading and
writing in classrooms. Teachers and students from different states, countries,
and continents are able to collaborate on different projects and ideas. Thus the
use of blogs in education gives students a global perspective.
REFERENCE
2.
Blood,
Rebecca (September 7, 2000). "Weblogs: A History And Perspective".
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