Blogging mileage

I’ve read quite a few “how to” articles and articles related to “best practices” when blogging.  One of the advantages to blogs versus webites is that blog are typically ”current.”  This characteristic isn’t necessarily true for websites.  My big question and, to be honest, concern was how much time do I have to devote to a blog in order to stay current?  Is this a daily commitment?  To my relief, I came across Abram’s (2007) article, ”Sharing and Taking Care of Themselves.”  In his article, he recommends spending 15 minutes a week to blog about something you’ve learned or did that week or to comment on another idea you’ve found elsewhere.

Can you spare 15 minutes a week to share your expertise?

Teacher-Librarians: A Podcast on Image

Now that I’m starting to get the hang of blogging, I’m trying to figure out how to podcast.  Over the past few weeks, I’ve been reading several good articles related to podcasting.  However, tonight was my first attempt at recording and publishing a podcast.  The subject?  Lately, I’ve been thinking about the stereotypical image of a teacher-librarian, as I’m working towards an M.Ed. in teacher-librarianship.  An image that comes to my mind is one of an elderly lady with glasses, who’s not really “hip.”  She’s rather strict and is always telling others to be quiet.  This is really NOT how I see myself, thus the dilemma.  I’m pretty sure this is not how other teacher-librarians see themselves either.  However, as I listen to the language others use to refer to librarians, I can see that this image is still very much alive in the minds of others.  Listen to my podcast to hear a few examples.  You may have to wait for a few days until I publish my website.

If you’re interested in creating your own podcast, here are the steps I took:

1. Download this FREE software, Audacity, at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

2. Acquire a microphone or use the built in microphone available on your computer.

3. Record your response.

4. Export your response (save it) as an MP3 file.  You may need to download “LAME MP3 Encorder” in order to do this.  It’s also free.  You can visit http://audacity.sourcforge.net/help/faq?s=install&item=lame-mp3 for instructions. 

Blogroll

Terminology!  There’s so much to master!  For example, what is a blogroll?  I’ve just realized that a blogroll is a handy little category on the side of your own blog where you can post and display all of your other favourite blogs!  That way, no one, including you, has to sift through all of your postings to find the best!

 I love getting organized!

Blogging participation

How much should I participate in my students’ blogs? 

Now that I’ve gotten my students set up with their own blogs, I’m not sure what my role is.  Do I let them use it as a personal journal?  Do I create topics for them?  Can it be a little of both?  When I asked my students how they would like to use their blogs, they said that it would be good to have both. 

Why did I ask them to create blogs?  First, I thought this would be a great way to help improve their fluency, as this is a class of English language learners.  Second, I thought a blog would be more engaging than a piece of paper.  I thought that if their English skills weren’t good, at least they could take pride in their professional-looking blogs.  Lastly, I thought blogging would be more interactive.  They can respond to each other’s blogs.

So, although I still think blogging is going to be beneficial to them, I’m not sure how much I should be involved.  Should I also post comments?  Or, should I simply observe?

 These are the questions I’m still left with…for now.