Welcome to our free professional learning series on class and student blogging!

This series guides you step-by-step through the process of class and student blogging.  It provides class blog examples so you can check out how they are used by educators.  Many of the examples are from primary grades but the same principles apply regardless of student age (including adult learners).

Refer to our personal blogging series if you want to set up a personal or professional educator’s blog.

The activities can be completed at your own pace and in any order. As you work through the tasks designed to increase your skills, we will guide you through the process while providing help to support your learning.  Don’t stress, have fun, and remember to ask for help by leaving a comment any time you need assistance.  You can also contact our support team. 

Want the steps emailed to you? Join our free 30 Day Challenge!

We have an optional PDF workbook that will help to keep you on track and focused as you work through the 11 steps of this course. Scroll down and click on the ‘download’ button under the document to save it to your computer.

Loader Loading...
EAD Logo Taking too long?

Reload Reload document
| Open Open in new tab

Download

The aim of this first activity is to:

  • Help you learn more about what is a blog and why educators use blogs.
  • Help you set up your class blog, customize your settings, and change your theme.

What is a blog?

One of the biggest challenges educators new to blogging face is understanding the basics of how a blog works.

We made this quick intro video to explain.

We recommend you start by watching this video.

We’ve included explanations of key blogging vocabulary which will help as you work through this series including Footers, Headers, Menus, Pages, Posts, Comments, Sidebars, Theme, and Widgets.  For a simple follow-up activity, check out this blogging vocabulary crossword.

Feel free to share this video on your own blogs with students, teachers, parents, or anyone else.  Later in this series, we show you how easy it is to add videos to your blog.

Kahoot!

Have you caught on to the Kahoot! craze? It’s a free tool that allows you to create and play engaging learning games (called Kahoots).

The multiple-choice questions appear on the screen in the classroom and students submit their responses in real time using their computer, tablet, or mobile device. Students can work in teams and can work for points (most correct answers and quickest responses).

It’s a lot of fun!

We’ve made an Introduction To Blogging Kahoot. It goes over some of the key terms, vocabulary, and uses of blogs. There are 15 multiple choice questions.

Screenshot Kahoot Intro To Blogging

How To Play Our Blogging Kahoot

To access the Kahoot, click on this link.

You don’t need an account to play, however; you will need to log in if you want to edit the quiz (we encourage you to adapt it for your own students if necessary).

You also need to be signed in to save results.

You’ll have the option for your students to play against each other individually (classic mode) or in teams.

Play as classic or team mode Kahoot

You’ll also have a variety of game options you can play around with (see below).

Once you finalize your selections, a game pin number will show up. Students will go to the Kahoot app on their device, or to https://kahoot.it/ and enter the pin number to begin!

Game options for kahoot

Defining a blog

What is a blog? This is becoming harder to answer as the lines between blogs, websites, ePortfolios, and other online spaces blur.

What is a blog?

A blog is simply a blank canvas that you can use in any way to meet your needs and the needs of your students and school community.

Why educators use blogs

The main reasons why educators use blogs include:

  • To share information and class news with parents, family, and caregivers.
  • To provide students with a way to access assignments, homework, resources, and information about their class online.
  • For global collaboration and authentic audiences.
  • To inspire and motivate students.

The benefits of class blogging include:

  • Having an authentic audience
  • Covering new and traditional literacies
  • Forming home-school connections
  • Covering digital citizenship authentically
  • Providing an online home for digital and analog creations
  • Developing thinking and reflection
  • Building a classroom community
  • Developing essential ICT skills

Read more about the benefits of blogging for students and teachers.

Here are some teacher reflections on the benefits of class blogging summarized from The State of Educational blogging in 2017/2018.

  • Blogging opens up the possibilities of an audience in new ways. When students are writing or publishing for an audience other than the teacher, it impacts how they view what they are doing and the intrinsic motivation they have.
  • Students love seeing their work on the internet and adore getting comments from people. It motivates them to write as it gives them an audience that is real. The blog opens up a whole new world of people who can offer encouragement and feedback.
  • The blogging experience forces the students to do more reflection on their learning and allows them to showcase products they have produced with online tools.
  • Blogging provides an authentic educational experience, where what they write is not only seen and commented on by their teacher, but by their peers and the “public.” For most students, it’s a bit of extra motivation knowing their peers will see their work.
  • There is an authentic, global audience that is willing to connect, share, challenge, discuss and communicate with classes. This audience can provide further information, opinions, suggest resources, seek answers to questions, and much more.
  • Blogging develops a learning network. While exercise books might end up crumpled in school lockers or the trash bin at the end of the school year, a students blog will be with them for their school lives.

Examples of class blogs

Your class blog is what extends your class beyond the four walls of your classroom.  As you get going, you’ll soon decide the kinds of content, information and connections you want to make.

Here are examples of class blogs to check out for ideas:

  1. Swoop Into Kindergarten – Kindergarten
  2. Mrs. Mooney’s Class Blog – Grade 1
  3. Mrs. Yollis’ Classroom blog – Grade 3
  4. The Cross Chronicles – Grade 3
  5. Baldock and Grantham Class blog – Grade 3
  6. Terrific 4T Learners – Grade 4
  7. Krebs Class Blog – Grade 5
  8. Westwood with Iford Orchid Class Blog – Grade 5/6
  9. The Electronic Pencil – Grade 6
  10. Huzzah – Grade 6/7
  11. Room 5 – Year 8
  12. Jurupa Hills High School Photography
  13. Year 12 ATAR English
  14. Mr Cartlidge’s Science Blog – High School
  15. The Edublogger class blog list – includes Math, Science, English, History, LOTE, EFL /ESL, Library, school news blogs and more!

Sign up for your class blog

Your first step if you don’t currently have your own blog, or you would like to use a new blog for this challenge, is to sign up for a blog.

While you can use any blogging platform including EdublogsWordPress, and Blogger, when we write detailed instructions they will refer to Edublogs and CampusPress blogs.  You will be able to adapt this information to the blogging platform you are using.

Here are some important things to consider before creating your blog:

Username

Username

Your username is what you use to sign into your blog dashboard and is displayed on posts and comments you write.

While you can’t change your username, most blog platforms do allow you to change how your name is displayed on posts and comments.

Most teachers don’t allow students to use their first and last name online and it is common for them to model this by using display names like Miss W or Mrs. Waters.

Blog URL (Domain)

During the creation of your blog, you have to select a URL for it.  When you want others to visit your blog you give them the URL link of your blog.  For example, the URL for the Teacher Challenge blog is https://teacherchallenge.edublogs.org/

Think carefully about naming your blog URL.

Once your blog has an established audience, you’re less likely to want to change your blog URL.  Ideally, you want to keep your blog URL short, easy to remember, and flexible so you can reuse your URL for several years.

For example, blog URLs that include your classroom number or the year mean that you’re less likely to use the same blog URL again next year.  Most educators re-use their class blog each year because:

  • It saves time and is easier.
  • It provides a record of previous years’ work to share with students and/or a resource the teacher can refer to.

A simple option is to use your name in the blog URL like: Mr. Baldock’s Class blog (http://mrbaldock.edublogs.org)

Or use something unique that has meaning like Huzzah (http://huzzah.edublogs.org).

Blog Title

Your blog title is one of the first things a reader sees when visiting your blog.  Choose a name that reflects the purpose of your class blog and is something your students can relate to.

But don’t stress too much!  You can always change your blog title any time via Settings > General in your dashboard.

Some teachers organize a class activity so students can help choose the blog title.

Check out The Edublogger class blog list for ideas!

Blog Title

Blog Privacy

Blog privacy controls who can and can’t view your blog.

There is a wide range of opinions on whether blogs should be public or private.  On average, 55 % of student blogs on Edublogs are public and can be viewed by anyone, while 45 % of student blogs are private and restricted to specific readers.

Public vs private

The pros of posting on public blogs

  • Students are writing for a real audience – not just the teacher.
  • With no passwords to keep up with, parents and relatives can simply access the work.
  • When students know anyone can see their work, they will try harder.
  • Students can easily share with their peers using social media and other means.
  • Visitors from down the hall or around the world can comment and collaborate.

You lose out on connections, extended dialogues, and the motivating factor of working for an authentic purpose when blogs are made private.

Concerns of posting on public blogs

School administrators, who are rightfully risk-adverse, often immediately say that no public posting is allowed.  Teachers, afraid of potential headaches due to students saying something inappropriate, bullying, or not having total control, also get nervous about allowing students to publish freely online.

Some parents can feel uncomfortable with their child publishing content on a public blog and there are some family situations where a student needs to use a private blog.  Providing a detailed parent handout with a blogging consent form helps parents understand why you are using a blog and lets parents provide feedback for their child.  We cover handouts and consent forms in Step 6.

Changing blog privacy

Blog privacy on the class blog is set in Settings > Reading.

The three most common privacy options used on Class blogs are:

Allow search engines to index this site Allows anyone to read the content of your blog, while also allowing your blog to be indexed by search engines such as Google.
Discourage search engines from indexing this site

Allows anyone who knows your blog URL to read your blog content while blocking web crawlers so that your blog is not indexed by search engines such as Google.

You use this option if you want to keep your blog public so your content can easily be read but want to limit it to only people who know your blog URL.

Anyone that visits must first provide this password Used if you want to restrict who can read your blog content to only people who know the password.  This is the best privacy option to use on a private blog if you want parents, students, and other teachers to easily view your blog without having to log into an account.

Create your blog

Now you’ve done all the research it’s time to create your blog!  All you need to do is follow these instructions if you would like to set up your blog on Edublogs.

Alternately, check out The State of Educational Blogging 2017/2018 to read more about the different blog platforms used by educators.

Prefer a video guide? This 15 minute tutorial is a simple orientation to blogging.

Update your Profile

Your Profile page is where you can control the global settings for your username including where you set up your display name, change your password and email address.

It’s worth spending time quickly learning how to update your profile so you’ll be able to explain the steps to your students.

Your Profile is most commonly used to update your display name, password and email address.  You’ll notice there are lots of personal settings to choose from in Your Profile and you can read more about each personal setting here.

Here’s how to update your Profile:

1.  Log into your blog dashboard.

2.  Go to Users > Your Profile in your blog dashboard.

Your Profile

3. Scroll to near the bottom of the page to Name area.

4.  Add your first name and last name.

  • Students should only ever use their first name and the initial of their last name online or a pseudo-name.

Name area

5.  Click on the drop-down arrow and select your preferred publicly displayed name.

Select your preferred name

6.  Now scroll to the bottom of the page to the new password field.

Change your password by clicking on Generate Password.

Generate password

You can either use this automatically generated password or replace it with your own password.

Generate password

There is no need to update your password (unless you want to).  We just wanted to show you how it is done.

7.  Now just click on Update Profile to apply the changes.

Remember to always click on Update Profile whenever you make any changes on Your Profile page!

Upload your user avatar

Your avatar is an online representation of you.

The user avatar is also known as your comment avatar.  You upload the user avatar via Users > Your Avatar and it displays in places where you leave comments and next to posts you publish on some themes.

The default avatar set in Settings > Discussions is automatically displayed next to comments you leave unless you upload your own avatar.

Below is an example of a user avatar next to a comment.

Avatar example

There are a few tricks to setting up your user avatar so it’s worth setting it up now so you can demonstrate to your students later and will know what to do if they have any issues.

You upload your avatar as follows:

1.  Select a photo or create your avatar using an online tool.

Schools often don’t allow students to use photos of themselves on blogs so teachers often get their students to create avatars that are representative of them.  You’ll find a list of online tools and ideas for creating avatars here.

2.  Resize your image to 200 pixels wide by 200 pixels high. Resizing your image before uploading to your blog ensures the image displays correctly and that the proportions are correct.

3.  Go to Users > Your Avatar.

Your avatar

4.  Click on Browse and locate the avatar you want to upload.

5.  Click on Upload.

Upload your photo

6.  Move the crop area to one corner, then expand the crop area to include your full image and click Crop image.

Resize your avatar

7.  Now when you view a post where you’ve left a comment you will see your new comment avatar.

Important tips:

  1. If you change your avatar and still see the old avatar it may be your web browser remembering your old image.
  2. Hold the Ctrl key and press F5 to clear your browser cache or right mouse click and select Refresh or Reload.

Check your settings

The General Settings is where you configure the broad settings of your blog including your blog title, tagline, blog admin email address, and time zone.

The most important setting to update in General Settings is your time zone.  Educators often assume that blogs are automatically created set to their time zone and weeks later wonder why the post and comments date and times are weird.

The other important thing to consider is the blog admin email address.  This email address is where all comment moderation emails are sent, and is used for payment receipts (if you are an Edublogs Pro subscriber).  If you would like to receive comment moderation emails then we recommend you add your email address.

You’ll find more information on the configurations options in General Settings here.

Here’s how to change your time zone:

1.  Go to Settings > General.

Settings

2.  Select your time zone from the drop-down menu option.

Timezone

3.  Click Save Changes.

Customize your blog theme

Your theme is what controls the look and appearance of your blog; it’s what people see when they visit your blog.

This is how you give your class blog its personal touch. Like most things in life, first impressions count.

Great blog themes make good impressions on readers so that visitors are more likely to check out your blog.  Overwhelming themes detract from your blog content and make visitors less likely to read your content.

Every newly created blog normally has the same default theme.  The last thing you want is to look like all the other blogs.

Customizing your blog theme is normally one of the first things most people want to do when they first log into their blog.

So let’s finish off getting your class blog started by showing you how to customize your theme!

Using the theme customizer

Ready to change your theme?

Great!  It’s really easy.  Using the customizer you can customize your theme and see the results in real time before activating the theme.

Customizer video

Here’s how to change your theme using the theme customizer:

1.  Go to Appearance > Themes

Theme

2.  Click on ‘Live Preview‘ below the theme you want to use.

Click on Live Preview

Or if you want to customize your current theme, click on ‘Customize‘ under the current theme.

Click on Customize

3.  This loads the Customizer.  As you work through the control panels on the left of the Customizer dashboard, any changes you make to the theme will show up in real time in the preview panel to the right. This allows you to get the right look you require before updating your live site.

4.  Once you’re happy with the changes you just click ‘Save & Publish’.

The customizer

Below is a quick summary of each customizer control panel:

Control Panel

We recommend you leave the static front page set to ‘Latest Posts’.

Most class blogs use a blog post page for their homepage and we’ll explain why you might use a static page in Step 2: Setting up pages.

You’ll find more detailed information on using the customizer here.

Upload custom header image

Almost all our themes include an option to upload your own custom image header.

A custom image header is a great way of adding your “own personal touch” to your class blog.

You upload your own custom header image as follows:

1.  Click on Add new image in the header image section of the customizer.

Click on Add Image

2.  Choose an image from your media library or upload a new image from your computer.

  • Only .jpeg, .gif, and .png files can be used for image headers.
  • For best results, we recommend you re-size the image to the exact dimensions recommended for the theme before uploading by using an image editing program. This avoids any distortion as the theme tries to make your image fit in the space allocated by the theme.

Select image

3.  Click on Select and Crop.

Save and publish

4.  Click on Crop image.

Crop image

5.  Your new header image should appear in your blog preview window.

6.  Click Save & Publish on the Customizer to activate the new header on your blog.

Save and publish

Want more advice about making your own custom header image? Check out this tutorial from Stef Galvin.

Upload background image

On many themes, much like custom header images, you can add images to your blog’s background.  A background image is another great way of adding that personal touch to your class blog.

You upload your own custom background image as follows:

Click on Background Image in the Customizer.

  • If you don’t see the Background Image section in the Customizer it means the theme doesn’t support this option.

Click on Background

3.  Click on Add new image.

4.  Choose an image from your media library or upload a new image from your computer.

  • Only .jpeg, .gif, and .png files can be used.

Add your image

5.  Click on Choose Image.

Click on Choose Image

Once you have selected an image, the background image options will appear:

  • Background repeat:  controls if the background image is repeated.  Choices are:
    • No Repeat — background image is only displayed once on the page.
    • Tile — background image is tiled horizontally and vertically.
    • Tile horizontally — background image only repeats horizontally.
    • Tiled vertically — background image only repeats vertically.
  • Background position:  allows you to control the position of the background image.  Options are left, center, and right.
  • Background attachment: determines if you want the image to scroll with the content or to remain ‘fixed’ in place when a reader scrolls down the page.

For best results we recommend you use Tile, Left and Scroll.

6.  Your new background image should appear in your blog preview window.

7.  Click Save & Publish on the Customizer to activate the new background on your blog.

Click Save and Publish

Frequently Asked Theme Questions

These are some of questions around themes that we’re commonly asked.

1.  Can I upload my own theme?

Because of the way blog platforms like Edublogs, WordPress.com, and Blogger work, you can only use the themes provided and can’t upload your own custom themes.  Most themes are designed to work on single installs and many don’t work or can have compatibility issues on blog platforms.

Remember that custom image headers and backgrounds are a very effective way of customizing your theme to meet your needs.

2.  How do I change the font color, font size, and text color?

Some themes have extensive theme customization options which aren’t supported by the theme Customizer.

They often include options to change font color, font size, and text color.

These types of themes add a theme option menu item under Appearance once the theme is activated.

To do more extensive customization you just need to go to Appearance > Theme Options.

You can also change font type, size and color in posts or on pages using the Supreme Google Webfonts plugin.

Your Task

Blogging is about sharing, collaborating, and learning from each other. Here’s your chance to ask a question, comment, and get involved!

Complete the following tasks:

  1. Visit some of the blogs on the examples of class blog list then leave a comment on this post to tell us which were your favorite class blog(s) on the list and why.
  2. Read through the most recent comments in reply to this step and leave a response to another person’s comment.

Remember to leave a link to your blog in your comment so we can have a look!


Want The Steps Emailed To You?

Want some support and reminders as you work through the Blogging With Students Challenge?

Sign up for email reminders!

We’ll pop into your inbox every couple of days for 30 days and present you one step at a time. We’ll show you exactly what you need to do and offer reminders as well.

To sign up, simply enter your details in the embedded form below, or click here to open the sign-up form in a new browser.

You can start at any time.

Tip: Please add support@edublogs.org to your email contact list to make sure our emails don’t end up in your junk/spam folder! This is how to add a contact in Outlook and in Gmail.

1,193 thoughts on “Step 1: Set Up Your Class Blog

  1. I liked the simplicity of the Westwood with Iford Orchid Class Blog. The layout was simple and easy to follow. I found the KREBS’ CLASS BLOGS was also easy to follow. I am doing the 90 day challenge because I want to learn how to blog so that we can use it in my classroom. I am still playing around with the layout of my blog, but here is what I have so far: https://paulamsimmonds.edublogs.org

    1. Well done with your first blog with us Paula, going through the course will definitely give you the confidence and experience to get up to speed in next to no time.

  2. This is such a wonder resource, thank you.
    I was immediately drawn to the photography blog, I could spend hours perusing the posts.
    I am just a week or two away from setting up and introducing my writers to the world of blogging. I look forward to seeing what they are going to create.
    I am still tweeking the class blog before the reveal, here is the link, http://mrsldewar.edublogs.org/. I would love opinions.

    1. Hi. It looks like your students have made a great start on their blogs. I especially like the individuality that they have shown in choosing their avatars.

    1. I love your header photo. It was just abstract enough with the different levels of focus to make it interesting and engaging.

  3. Hi! I am starting the Blog With Students Challenge today. I’ve created my blog, uploaded my avatar and I’m working on updating my profile. I am the K-12 Music teacher in my small district in Southwest GA. I know a little about blogging, have some experience with it both in and out of the classroom, which I’ll describe in later comments and posts! I have a Masters in Educational Design and Technology from Full Sail University (2011). My final project was over blogging! I look forward to the challenge of blogging with students which I haven’t done in 8 years. Some things have changed! I still think blogging is great in education. 😁☀️👍🤛

  4. I started using this platform last school year and I love it! I am excited to continue blogging with my middle school students this year. I think it gives them choice, makes writing relevant, and opens up meaningful discourse amoongst students.

  5. My favorite blog was http://mrcartlidge.edublogs.org/. I like how simple, organized, and user-friendly it is.

    I’ve been trying for over an hour to figure out which template he was using. When I first started searching templates I had the option to search for purpose. I can’t seem to do that anymore and the website is lagging and I can’t scroll. I’ve been trying to save my changes for over an hour and there’s still “something wrong”. This has been beyond frustrating. Anyone else having that issue?

    Anyway, here’s the site I’ve been working on for what it’s worth: https://mimillercvsu.edublogs.org/

    I want to be really excited about this and use this platform with my classes but this has been a huge waste of time considering I’ve been working on it for 5 hours and despite being insanely tech savvy, have little to nothing to show for it. INSERT HUGE SAD FACE HERE!

    1. Hi Miller,

      So sorry to hear you are having trouble. If you’re still having issues feel free to email the support team. They’re there 24/7 to help. The address is support @ edublogs . org

      Your site is looking great so far!

      Good luck!

      Kathleen Morris
      Edublogs Community Manager
      @kathleen_morris

  6. I looked at 2 very different blogs. Swoop into Kindergarden and Team 2 Eagles were both great blogs but different. I liked Swoop Into Kindergarten because as a parent, I could feel really connected to the classroom and have conversation with my child about the various activities they complete at school. Team 2 Eagles was also really cool, because I felt like it was SO much more than just a blog space. It helped me see my blog space can be anything I want it to be. I am also working out whether or not I want my first space to be a class blog or a professional space, or maybe BOTH!

    Thank you for this challenge and thank you for these amazing examples!

    My new blog is one day old, and I am participating the the 30 day teacher challenge. My site is: https://laurasnowed.edublogs.org

  7. I really enjoyed 3E News and the way it was set up. I liked seeing the work that her students were doing. I hope mine turns out as well! Here is the link to mine, I just made it, it has changed 10,000 times, it is a work in progress, please be kind https://ismiley77.edublogs.org

    1. Great work!!! Simple, elegant, and easy to use!!! Wow, you have a LOT of students! I have 5 classes of students and am hoping to figure out how to categorize them so there isn’t one giant list. It works well for your group, though, considering you have just one class. Enjoy the year blogging with your munchkins!!!

  8. My favorite blog was Mr. Cartlidge’s Science Blog, I liked how it was set up and how he separated his content into pages with links.

  9. I just saved the Kahoot to guide me in my pre-teaching for blogging. Thank you so much for providing that as a resource and for creating this course.

  10. My favorite class blog on the list was Mrs. Kriese’s class blog. I liked the header she used as well as the theme and color scheme. I thought it was really innovative and ingenious! I like how she has presented and displayed information to her students. Here is the link to the blog I created: https://mskvcooksenglishclass.edublogs.org/

  11. I found this http://huzzah.edublogs.org very appealing. I like that students have great avatars. I also noticed some quotes around the blog. The only thing that I didn’t like very much was that the homepage contained a lot of information. It was difficult to read everything because of the small letters, my eyes got tired quickly. But on the other hand, it might be a good way to get the students reading. In general I loved the blog and the idea of it. It was inspiring.

    1. I agree with you. I really enjoyed the overall design and display of this blog. The creator used an appeal to the aesthetic while making this site.

  12. I like the layout and information on #11 The Electronic Pencil blog. Easy to navigate around and clear images. Lots of useful sites for my students to become familiar with. I will add it to my “follow” list. Nice one norristeacher of https://epencil.edublogs.org/ . It has been a busy start to the year here in New Zealand and we are about to move into our refirbished classroom tomorrow, so hopefully our class blog will start to take shape from next week on. https://room13ois2019.edublogs.org/

  13. I love the Jurupa Hills High School Photography blog. It has a great balance of color without being too overwhelming. I love the added quote!

    1. That was my favorite as well. I also liked how you immediately are immersed in the students’ work on the very first page. Even though my page isn’t photography related, I like the idea of coming up with a way to make sure student content is the clear focus at the very start.

  14. This had been very helpful. I plan to use the kahoot on terms with my students. I will also be playing around with my settings now that they are more clarified. I love Edublogs because it is very user intuitive. I hope to learn more from this training.

    1. Great background! it really gives it personality. Looking forward to seeing some posts as you get going!

      Kathleen Morris
      Edublogs Community Manager
      @kathleen_morris

    2. I liked that blog too! I was wondering about the same thing, where should my students post, but Huzzah blog gave some nice ideas.
      Your blog looks very well too! 🙂

  15. I found the Krebs’ Class Blogs (http://krebs.edublogs.org/) a very good way to make use of blogs in the classroom. Of all the ones I looked it, it was the clearest one to follow how it was being used. I liked the lessons it included and the way information was presented. The results produced by the students were interesting and many were entertaining.

      1. Your blog’s setting is visible only to subscribers. It may be how you want it, but sadly, others can’t view it.

    1. Thank you to Kathleen Morris for telling me about this comment. How kind of you to tell what you liked about our class blog. I am happy it gave you encouragement. We’ll be posting more in March with the student blogging challenge. I’ll visit your class blog next.

      Thank you,
      Denise

  16. I found “The Electronic Pencil” blog to be the most creative and eye caring of them all. The activities proposed are not just amazing, they are inviting. I can imagine all the fun students are having. My blog is http://mrmblog.edublogs.org

    1. Hello, maybe I am missing something. When I look at this blog “Electronic Pencil’, I see very little. I will look again.

  17. I looked a couple of the high school level blog examples. I find it super interesting that they use blogs like a Google Classroom or a LMS where they post homework and assignments more than it acts as an interactive blog. We have an LMS that I use to post all work and homework and want to use my class blog http://marrakech20project.edublogs.org/ for a project with all of my students.

    1. Your blog is looking great. It’s ideal how you can use a blog to manage homework and assignments, as well as having the option to get involved in global collaboration or using a range of online tools etc. It’s really a blank canvas!

      Enjoy!
      Kathleen Morris
      Edublogs Community Manager
      @kathleen_morris

    2. I have been torn about how to most effectively use a blog to increase student engagement and commitment to producing quality work. I wonder if using it as you said — a place to post assignments — is the best way or if using it for a joint project is the best way. And if I try a joint project, how do I really roll that out? Suggestions are greatly appreciated.

    3. Also, I love your blogging guidelines. They are comprehensive without being overbearing and a good example to follow.

  18. I’ve been blogging for a while now, but I just started this project with my undergrad students. I think blogging for them would be an amazing tool to express themselves and be exposed to sharing knowledge. It’s my first time using Edublogs so I hope this goes as planned! I am very excited for them and they are very nervous!
    Our class blog is https://teed3018.edublogs.org

  19. I really enjoyed Mrs. Kriese’s Class Blog Year 7 as this is where I am headed with my 8th graders. It has helped me to visualize what I want from my students and to get them excited about reading and writing. I like all the links that are used to get students thinking and using language, Free Rice. com, and others. I will be working toward this on my blog, giving students the resources to do some amazing blogging.
    http://dcrowningshield.edublogs.org
    Mrs. Crowningshield

  20. I actually signed up to do this a couple of weeks ago but got sidetracked looking at the example sites! I particularly liked the Electronic Pencil for the variety of tools and activities showcased. I really spent some time with the Crazy Collaborative Dictionary Project.
    I’ve also been busy during our school holidays so hopefully now that we’re back at school I’ll be able to get cracking on my own blog with students too – https://mrhardingham.edublogs.org

    1. Great work! Love the tagline 😉
      The Electronic Pencil definitely as some great ideas. You might have also seen that their teacher has his own blog and he’s extrememly active on there. He often gives more details and background about some of his lessons https://help.edublogs.org/disabling-comments/

      Kathleen Morris
      Edublogs Community Manager
      @kathleen_morris

    2. Good luck with your own blogging efforts. I liked your first post and congrats on your Google certification. I like the concept and idea of blogging, but I often question whether anyone will find my comments interesting or relevant … question so much that I stop before I start. I am hoping participating in this course and doing this with students will help either answer my relevance question or help me feel what I am posting is more relevant.

  21. This information is a refresher for me. I have had my blog set up for over two years now, but some of the information I was not aware of. I like the idea in one of the blogs where the teacher had an open letter and the students also posted theirs. I think this is a good idea at the beginning of the school year and the end. It can present how students felt about the class in the beginning of the year and what their thoughts are at the end of the year.

    1. I don’t know that I’d call this a refresher, exactly, for me, but I have also had my blog set up for almost two years. I’ve been tweaking things as I learn more about what I can do, and this module gave me the opportunity to do some more of that, like creating an avatar. I really want to motivate my students to check and use the blog, which isn’t happening much this year.

  22. I learned about Edublogs whilst attending classes at NCU and created my first blog there for the class and for my 11th grade students on the novella Of Mice and Men. Setting up a blog for my Creative Writing Class (high school) was interesting and mostly fun. I did want make sure to keep my high schoolers safe and I appreciate the hints from Edublogs and the safeguards already in place for my students. I have 12 students in the class and I think we are going to have a blast!

    1. I really hope you enjoy blogging with your students. It should tie in perfectly with your creative writing class!

      Kathleen Morris
      Edublogs Community Manager
      @kathleen_morris

  23. I am a beginning blogger. I want to set up a blog for my 5th graders. I think it will be a fun way to incorporate technology and also learning beyond the classroom walls. I liked the Team 2 Eagles blog, the calendar with the monthly learning goals was a great idea.

      1. Thanks for those links Kathleen. I’m more focused on older students, but as Becky, initially thought, I’m concerned I’ll be overwhelmed with the volume of new resources and workload! Luckily I have other staff at school who are on board with edublogs too so I won’t be alone.

  24. i have just started blogging and this is my first blog that I want to learn and teach my grade 7 students. from the blogs in the list, i like the following blog
    Westwood with Iford Orchid Class Blog
    because it uploaded quickly, its easy to use and more user friendly, clear framework.

      1. Hi there,
        Just letting you know your blog is password protected. This is totally fine of course but other participants won’t be able to see it.
        Thanks!

        Kathleen Morris
        Edublogs Community Manager
        @kathleen_morris

  25. I have just started my blog and this is my first time blogging, so I feel kind of terrified!
    The thing is I teach dance analisys at the University in Madrid (Spain) and I have a group of profesional students who are dancing in big companies all around the world. I use to send them thousends of emails to teach them, but this year I am ready to find a better way to share the information with them, and I also want them to participate actively in the class and get to know each other. I hope I will get this using Edublogs.
    Here is my blog. I just set the setting, chose the theme and created my avatar.
    http://ainhoacsdma.edublogs.org/
    (I apologize for my very bad english)

    1. Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging! What a good idea to use a blog instead of sending out so many emails.
      Did you realise your blog is currently password protected? It’s no problem at all if this is what you intended.
      Let’s know if you need any more help!

      Kathleen Morris
      Edublogs Community Manager
      @kathleen_morris

  26. I loved this blog http://kcross34.edublogs.org/ when i first got started as it showed how teacher lead class blogging can be done but then i looked at Mrs Yollis’ and it was different in moe infomative teacher/resource way and this showed me what all blogs are different and there is not a one size fits all. This calmed me! Now I pass this message to students when they ask what to write, how to write, what to include…. It is completly up to you! This freedom I love about blogging!

  27. We have started a class blog for a small number of pupils in our Enhanced provision class. All the children have learning difficulties, so it is sometimes necessary to scribe their words for them. I try to keep out of the blog if I can and act as web manager and facilitator. It is early days yet, but it is really beginning to take off. Parents are reading and commenting. Pupils like to look at one another’s postings. However, as the reading skills of my present pupils are low, it would be good if there was a facility to allow the written words to be read back by the computer (as is possible with MS WORD).
    My favourite blog was St Charles Borromeo. The layout is simple and uncluttered and it has lots of fun pictures of pupils. It is very user-friendly.
    Our blog is: http://deanburnep.edublogs.org

    1. Good point about the computer reading back their work. I have a colleague who uses a screen reader due to blindness and he suggests Windows Narrator might work. It’s an app designed for Windows 10 (not sure what you’re using). Not sure if this would be too complicated for your students.
      Alternatively, perhaps your students could draft posts in MS Word and copy them into blog posts? We don’t usually recommend this approach (due to reasons explained in this old post) but if you do decide to follow this approach, then this advice from WordPress will help https://en.support.wordpress.com/microsoft-word/

      Kathleen Morris
      Edublogs Community Manager
      @kathleen_morris

  28. I really enjoyed St. Charles Borromeo School’s Blog, especially the post about helping to raise awareness about the use of plastic.

  29. Our class blog is starting to shape up! I plan on keeping it private to encourage students to write openly. I also think I’ll let them pick their own nicknames so they can publish anonymously to the class, but I can still keep track of them.

    My favorite blog was Connected Teaching and Learning, but I was inspired by many more. Hopefully I can incorporate all these elements to make a beautiful blog!

    1. I like your idea of picking own nicknames to publish anonymously. I want my kids to feel comfortable expressing their opinions. I may have to try this too.

    1. I hope to take the challenge next year and see how my own blogging experience develops as well as the students! Please keep us updated on how you find the process.

  30. I enjoyed The Electronic Pencil and Mrs. Kriese’s Class Blog because their content seems most like what I hope to produce. The themes are engaging, and page set up is easy to understand and navigate.

    Here is a link to what I have done so far on my own blog:
    http://hjoyner.edublogs.org/

  31. My favorite blog was Connected Teaching and Learning by Ann Michaelsen. It is related to my field (ESL) and I think it has a great organization and a lot of interesting content.

    I started my blog http://njhesl.edublogs.org/ I just started, so I hope this very detailed guide helps me to set up a great site.

    1. I love the way Ann combines work from her students as well as her own work. Looking forward to seeing what you get up to!

  32. My favorite blog was the Jurupa Hills High School Photography blog. I loved the way student work was presented for each of the projects. I am a creative writing teacher and love to have students to create visual representations of their work. This blog inspired me.

      1. Mss Henderson, I love the design at the head of your blog! It gives such a light creative touch to the design. You have inspired me to try something similar on my own. Thank you.
        deanburnep.edublogs.org

    1. I didn’t think of this idea! I teach English and I think incorporating their photography would be a great addition.

    1. I love arts and how it gives you infinite chances to do amazing things. I think you have a great start here. Your header is super catchy! Good luck!

  33. I am really grateful for this course. I didn’t know where to begin, and this made it so much easier! My blog is just starting out, and I am having fun looking at all of the examples. At the same time, it can get overwhelming looking at everything and then trying to make my blog look good.

    I can’t wait to see what my students create!

    1. I, too, am grateful for this course. I wanted a way for my writing students to get out of their journals and write with a little more authenticity. I think blogging is going to be the answer; however, I am a complete novice at blogging and this course has given me the confidence to get the ball rolling!

    2. I am also grateful to have found this course. Like you, I’m feeling overwhelmed but also inspired by the possibilities I have seen so far. Hopefully, this will be a great experience for my students and me.

    3. I am grateful for this course also. I knew I wanted to start blogging with my students, but wasn’t sure where or how to begin. My site is slowly coming into focus, I like to see what others are doing. I am sure my students will love this! I really want to encourage them to discuss books they are reading as well as our whole class novel.

    1. Me too! I’m really looking forward to letting the children have their say on the themes etc.
      I hope yours is going well!

  34. Havent quite finished up on mine but this is an amazing idea…and thank you for having this here to help me with getting my ideas flowing more cohesively.

    So far my favorite of the examples is the photography class. I love how the students were able to give feedback and positive comments on each others work and allowed students to evaluate their own and each others work.

    http://cauchonphotoclass.edublogs.org

    My blog isnt finished and I will put my link in once completed soooooo yea check my comments!

    1. Hi Ayreka,
      I’m a fan of the photography blog too! It’s great that the students and others can see all the work and give feedback. Looking forward to seeing your own work!

  35. I enjoyed looking at the different blogs. It gives me great ideas to use for my blog. I liked Mr. Towse, but there were plenty that I enjoyed.

    1. I love your blog… I’m super new to this but it may actually be so much fun and useful for my class. It helped me put my vision for this educational tool into focus!!!

  36. I still want to fiddle and change it all a little more, maybe a lot more yet. I’ve enjoyed looking and finding different classroom blogs. I’ve been enjoying the blogs that have the same purpose I want: a journal of learning. Something to encourage reflection of learning from both teacher and students, rather than a showcase of what students can do.
    My efforts at the moment: http://mrsbucks3s.edublogs.org/

    1. Your blog is looking great! I like your idea of creating a space for reflection from both the teacher and student. I look forward to following your journey.

    2. I like your blog and I feel and I share your opinion. I want I blogs where my students and I can share and learn together not only ti show what we have done.

    1. Hi Nicole,
      Your updated blog is looking great! I also love the design part of blogging. You can spend a lot of time on it but it’s fun!

Leave a Reply to Mrs. Young Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *