INTRODUCTION TO BLOGS

BLENDED LEARNING TRAINING DAY 2

(07/28/09)

AGENDA

1. Review of last lesson.
2. Brief presentation prior to group work.
3. Project based activity.
4. Group presentations.
5. Intro to www.blogger.com
6. Virtual lesson creation.

OBJECTIVES

1. Participants will be able to get familiarized with the purpose and advantages of blogs by doing research in groups and giving presentations (peer teaching/cooperative learning).

2. Participants will be able to use www.blogger.com by creating an account and learning the steps of how to create their fist blog.

3. Participants will be able to integrate blogs and web quests (first lesson) with their EAX classes by creating their own virtual lesson applying what has been seen so far.

INSTRUCTIONS

Your facilitator will divide you into different groups. Only one computer will be available per group (this forces communication among students)(this could change depending on the facilitators instructions). You will do some research online and then you will discuss the information with your group. Once done, you will briefly explain the rest of the groups what your reading or research was about. You will use powerpoint for your presentations and everyone must participate.

NOTE:PRESENTATIONS SHOULD LAST BETWEEN 3 AND 5 MINUTES. NO PRESENTATIONS LONGER THAN 5 MINUTES PLEASE.

The first thing you need to do is assign roles (team leader, note taker, time manager, task manager, etc.)

ACTIVITIES DIVIDE ACCORDING TO GROUP NUMBERS

GROUP 1

1. What is a personal blog?

2. Explain the popularity of blogs.

3. Blog is the short term for what? Who started the original term?

LINK: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

GROUP 2

1. What are the orgins of blogs?

2. Name several thingshttp://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dgfvrgnj_9stwrpdg2

3. Name advantages about using blogs for education.

LINK: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

GROUP 3

1. What type of information can you share through a blog?

2. How do blogs work?

3. Each blog can become a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ through _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ left by readers.

LINK: http://www.problogger.net/archives/2005/02/05/what-is-a-blog/

NOTE: WATCH THE VIDEO IN THIS LINK.

GROUP 4

1. Blogs make the news a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

2. How many blogs have been created since 2003?

3. Name two examples of places where you can start a free blog.

LINK: http://www.problogger.net/archives/2005/02/05/what-is-a-blog/

NOTE: WATCH THE VIDEO IN THIS LINK

GROUP 5

What are the features that www.blogger.com offers? Name the features available for "GETTING STARTED" and briefly explain them.

LINK: http://www.blogger.com/

In the website, look for the option "More Features". NOTE: You are working on the GETTING STARTED AREA ONLY.

GROUP 6

Give a general idea of what BLOGGER has to offer.

LINK: http://www.blogger.com/

In the website, look for the "Take a quick tour" option and get your information from there. Please, DO NOT copy paste. Read, discuss, and rephrase.

GROUP 7

What are some features that BLOGGER offers? Name the features and briefly explain them.

LINK: http://www.blogger.com/

In the website, look for the "More Features" option and go to the "more features" section in that window. NOTE: YOU WILL NOT READ ANYTHING ELSE BESIDES WHAT YOU SEE IN THE "MORE FEATURES" SECTION. DO NOT COPY PASTE. READ, DISCUSS, AND REPHRASE.

GROUP 8

What are some of the features that BLOGGER offers? Name the features and briefly explain them.

LINK: http://www.blogger.com/

In the website, look for the option "More Features". In this new window, scroll down and look for the part were it says "Advanced Features"; get your information from here.

NOTE: YOU WILL WORK WITH THE "ADVANCED FEATURES" SECTION ONLY. DO NOT COPY PASTE. READ, DISCUSS, AND REPHRASE.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

Here you will see the link for a short tutorial. Watch it if you have any doubts or simply to satisfy your curiosity. :P

LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnploFsS_tY

HAVE A NICE DAY!

B-LEARNING INTRODUCTION, DAY 1

DESCRIPTION

Setting class agendas and objectives is not just limited to putting them on a physical board. If you plan to have virtual lessons, you can also put your agenda and objectives online. It all depends on how you want to do it and using whatever tool you choose. Here are our agenda and objectives for today. (07/27/09)

AGENDA

1. Blended Learning Intro.

2. Project Based Activity

3. Group Presentations

4a. Intro. to BABEL (as one tool)

4b. Virtual Lesson Creation

OBJECTIVES

1. Participants will get familiarized with the term "Blended Learning" by watching a brief introduction to the topic.

2. Participants will be able to experience "Blended Learning" by doing a project based activity as a model.

3. Participants will be able to identify ways of having follow ups to blended learning lessons by modeling a presentation of the previous task.

4. Participants will be able to create their own virtual lessons by getting familiarized with BABEL (one online tool) and creating their own material for EAX.

INSTRUCTIONS

Your facilitator will divide you into different groups. Only one computer will be available per group (this forces communication among students). You will do some research online and then you will dicuss the information with your group. Once done, you will briefly explain the rest of the groups what your reading was about. You will use powerpoint for your presentations and every one must participate.

ACTIVITIES DIVIDED BY GROUPS

GROUP 1

1. What medium can be used in blended learning?

2. Briefly explain the challenges of blended learning.

LINK: http://www.grayharriman.com/blended_learning.htm#1

GROUP 2

1. What are other names that can refer to Blended Learning?

2. Briefly explain "Flexible Learning".

LINK: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blended_Learning_in_K-12

GROUP 3

- Read and discuss about "Virtual Field Trips".

1. Name advantages of having "Virtual Field Trips".

LINK: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blended_Learning_in_K-12/Types_of_Blended_Learning/multimedia_virtual_internet