Before we get too much further into blogging, there are some things that we need to talk about.
We need to set some guidelines so that we can continue to use this as an instructional tool without any hassle from me, your parents, the administrators or the school district.
I have three rules that I would like to start with:
1) This is an educational blog, not a personal one. Please keep it professional. That doesn't mean it has to be boring, but that does mean that we don't talk about what we are doing on a Saturday night. (Besides, you guys already have your myspaces, facebooks, etc. for that.)
2) Pls dnt use txting lngwige. W R nt txting, so use crct englsh. An LOL here or there is fine, but studies have show that the use of blogging as an educational tool can increase proficiency in writing.
3) Develop your thoughts. When asked to comment on a blog as an assignment, don't just say 'Yeah dude, that rocks'. Take time to develop your thoughts. Try to contribute something new. Do some additional research. Add an anecdotal experience.
Other than that, there are some common sense things I would like for us to develop together.
Assignment for Thursday 12-11:
1) Review the following web sites to look over other teachers' blogging "rules" and other articles related to blogging.
http://www.budtheteacher.com/wiki/index.php?title=Blogging_Rules
http://www.classblogmeister.com/bloggers_contract.doc
http://www.edtechmag.com/k12/issues/january-february-2006/professional-edge.html
2) What are at least two rules for blogging that we should adopt?
3) Should I have posted the picture of my brother's truck even though that has nothing to do with our class? Isn't that a personal thing rather than a professional thing?
