Blogging 101 With Teach42(07/15/2008) 
10:33
cliotech: 
Getting ready for Steve Dembo's Blogging 101 session at the DEN LC Institute.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:33 cliotech
10:34
cliotech: 
DEN blogs - WordPress is the engine
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:34 cliotech
10:35
cliotech: 
Here is the embed code for this session iframe src="http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php?option=com_altcaster&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=2914b1de46&height=550&width=470" scrolling="no" height="550px" width="470px" frameBorder="0" >
(you will need to bracket that code with <>)
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:35 cliotech
10:36
cliotech: 
All DEN STARs have a personal blog through the DEN site
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:36 cliotech
10:36
cliotech: 
http://community.discoveryeducation.com/
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:36 cliotech
10:38
cliotech: 
RJ Stangherlin and I author the DEN PA blog http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/pennsylvania/  (though the site is a little funky right now)
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:38 cliotech
10:39
cliotech: 
blog.discoveryeducation.com/sdembo
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:39 cliotech
10:39
cliotech: 
new themes for the DEN blog
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:39 cliotech
10:39
cliotech: 
www.teach42.com - educational themes for WordPress
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:39 cliotech
10:40
RJ Stangherlin: 
Could you send me the code for my blog when you get a chance. Thanks.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:40 RJ Stangherlin
10:40
cliotech: 
@RJ - scroll up to get the code - don't forget to add the <>
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:40 cliotech
10:43
[Comment From Lee KolbertLee Kolbert: ] 
Exclusive access for DEN Stars
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:43 Lee Kolbert
10:44
cliotech: 
The DEN blogs, though hosted by WordPress, will all have the discoveryeducation.com/blog URL (shouldn't be blocked by filtering software)
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:44 cliotech
10:44
cliotech: 
blog dashboard - customize theme, etc.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:44 cliotech
10:45
RJ Stangherlin: 
Joining after we started. Glad Jen set up another Cover It Live. Steve and Discovery is setting up new themes for the blogs (approximately 15) so that we can customize our blogs. What's wonderful about the blogs: they are not blocked at most schools. Steve says Discovery is trusting their STARS for prudent use. Unlike my ChangingConnections blog that is blocked at school, my Discovery blog is not blocked, so students have access as a learning and teaching tool.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:45 RJ Stangherlin
10:46
cliotech: 
Spam filter - administrator must approve comments
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:46 cliotech
10:47
cliotech: 
In WordPress there are two ways to post - posts and pages (pages more permament while posts give put into general stream)
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:47 cliotech
10:48
cliotech: 
http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/digital_passports/
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:48 cliotech
10:49
RJ Stangherlin: 
Having gone over the basics of the DEN dashboard, Steve notes that there are two ways to post: posts which are put into the general mainstream. In essence, each blog entry becomes a post, with 10 active posts on the front page. The second way to post is pages, and they are static; they don't drift off into the ether but remains next to "Home" in the dashboard. These 'Pages" do not get buried in the stream, and do not archive or become stale.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:49 RJ Stangherlin
10:50
cliotech: 
Ideas for pages - conferences, RSS/ATOM feeds, etc.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:50 cliotech
10:50
RJ Stangherlin: 
Jennifer Dorman, as the blog coordinator, has posted a variety of pages, and is creating a new page for conferences.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:50 RJ Stangherlin
10:50
cliotech: 
Blogs are not meant for the first-time visitor - meant for the repeat visitor
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:50 cliotech
10:51
cliotech: 
They should provide fresh information - target those people who visit often
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:51 cliotech
10:51
RJ Stangherlin: 
Steve says that most people do not use pages effectively. Pages allow the repeat visitor to find critical information, without referencing a backlog of information in the archives.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:51 RJ Stangherlin
10:52
RJ Stangherlin: 
The golden rule of blogging is not the quality of the content but the frequency of your blogging. They make a connection with you as an individual, the DEN at large, and touches they make to each other that engages.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:52 RJ Stangherlin
10:53
cliotech: 
Shorter more frequent posts tend to have the widest audience
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:53 cliotech
10:53
Lee Kolbert: 
Is this being uStreamed (by any chance)? Have coworkers back home interested.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:53 Lee Kolbert
10:53
RJ Stangherlin: 
The most popular blogs are those where people post frequently. Content is pertinent and quality-driven, but frequency is what really matters.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:53 RJ Stangherlin
10:53
cliotech: 
frequency matters
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:53 cliotech
10:54
cliotech: 
@Lee - just posted the question, will check for streaming link (if available)
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:54 cliotech
10:54
RJ Stangherlin: 
I love the Twitter box on the New Jersey blog. Jen--can we grap the widget for PA?
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:54 RJ Stangherlin
10:55
cliotech: 
@RJ I have it set up to post to Twitter when we post new content on the blog, though
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:55 cliotech
10:55
RJ Stangherlin: 
Steve promises to talk about the quirks of embeddable code--great--because that is one of the reasons I am attending this session. That and I love Steve's presentations.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:55 RJ Stangherlin
10:55
Lee Kolbert: 
Coding is always a challenge
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:55 Lee Kolbert
10:56
Lee Kolbert: 
@RJ there are a few good Twitter widgets
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:56 Lee Kolbert
10:57
RJ Stangherlin: 
Next lesson is embedding photos. Embedding is taking content from one location and moving it to another.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:57 RJ Stangherlin
10:57
Lee Kolbert: 
Steve says important to update blog frequently.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:57 Lee Kolbert
10:57
cliotech: 

If is important to be in the Code tab when pasting embedded code from third-party applications into WordPress

Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:57 cliotech
10:57
Lee Kolbert: 
Good ideas for bloggers block: http://www.chrisbrogan.com/20-blogging-projects-for-you/
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:57 Lee Kolbert
10:58
[Comment From Marie ColemanMarie Coleman: ] 
Frequency is important, but it can be overwhelming if done too often!
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:58 Marie Coleman
10:58
cliotech: 
@Lee Not finding a stream anywhere
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:58 cliotech
10:59
RJ Stangherlin: 
Embedding involves code, but you do not need to understand code to work with it. I still struggle with embeddable code from time to time, but Jen's comment about being in code mode is important. Do NOT switch to Visual to publish; just publish from code mode or HTML.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:59 RJ Stangherlin
10:59
cliotech: 
http://www.blogging101.com/what-is-a-blog.php
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:59 cliotech
10:59
[Comment From HeatherHeather: ] 
I try to aim for posting once a week. I also use tools that autopost for me.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 10:59 Heather
11:02
RJ Stangherlin: 
I think Steve is right about the short part of blogging. The post that returned the most comments to date (that I posted) was a short one about JPeg, with 15 comments.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:02 RJ Stangherlin
11:03
[Comment From eplyboneplybon: ] 
I try to post once a week on Texas DEN blog. Personal blog gets updated when I'm inspired to write something.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:03 eplybon
11:03
[Comment From Marie ColemanMarie Coleman: ] 
ScribeFIre is a helpful tool for me to start posts 'on the go' and then come back when I have more time. FF extension
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:03 Marie Coleman
11:04
cliotech: 
Resize widgets as needed
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:04 cliotech
11:04
[Comment From Bud HuntBud Hunt: ] 
Worry less about how often and more about how your writing is useful to you.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:04 Bud Hunt
11:05
[Comment From Marie ColemanMarie Coleman: ] 
Both edublogs and blogger offer some "help" for coding options, though I admit, I haven't done a lot of it!
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:05 Marie Coleman
11:05
RJ Stangherlin: 
Manage page, post to edit, then check code. Go to height and width--usually at the top of the code--and narrow the width (to 200). Then go to the bottom of the code (it comes in pairs for some reason) and change the width again to 200. Then you need to change the width. Go into code and delete the height--let the program figure it out. Click save, refresh, and the program figures it out for you--what works best.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:05 RJ Stangherlin
11:06
cliotech: 
WordPress quirk - after embedding widget with code and publishing, if you go back and edit it the code needs to be pasted in again or it may not display correctly because the code changes
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:06 cliotech
11:07
cliotech: 
I publish directly from Code without going back to Visual - add your code LAST
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:07 cliotech
11:08
cliotech: 
Remember to paste code in fresh again when editing published posts
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:08 cliotech
11:09
cliotech: 
measureit - Firefox plugin
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:09 cliotech
11:09
cliotech: 
xray - Firefox bookmarklet
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:09 cliotech
11:09
RJ Stangherlin: 
Fresh code needs to stay in code mode. Stay away from visual mode, and possibly put the code in last. If you edit, you need to re-embed the original code. Word Press is a quirky learning code. Keep width at 375. Use Firefox plug ins: Measure It and XRay
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:09 RJ Stangherlin
11:11
cliotech: 
If you are a manager on more than one WordPress DEN blog, you can hover over the name of the blog in the upper left corner to move between different blogs
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:11 cliotech
11:12
RJ Stangherlin: 
Try Tabs Plus Mix in Firefox.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:12 RJ Stangherlin
11:13
cliotech: 
blog url + wp/admin/ (easy way to get into blog dashboard)
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:13 cliotech
11:14
cliotech: 
Question - Is Discovery Education  using the STAR blogs to promote the DEN (profiling blogs or highlighting)
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:14 cliotech
11:14
cliotech: 
Steve's answer - weekly newsletter, perhaps
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:14 cliotech
11:16
RJ Stangherlin: 
Questioned how individual blogs may be used promotionally. Is this an issue for us?? I think all of our blogging efforts are, in some small measure, a form of promotional resource, either for us as individuals or as part of a larger community. Since nothing is really private, blogging is a great resource for the ends of the posting, community, corporation. I like the promotional aspect. Jennifer suggested a Featureed Blogger rather than a Featured Star. The "feature" should change weekly.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:16 RJ Stangherlin
11:17
RJ Stangherlin: 
Can we have a list of STAR bloggers who are blogging in the state. Jen said she would add a blogroll so we can connect more easily.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:17 RJ Stangherlin
11:18
RJ Stangherlin: 
Steve said that because of back-end information, Discovery does not have info access by state, but the upgrade can come from IT by December.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:18 RJ Stangherlin
11:19
cliotech: 
DEN National Blog - Directory of STARs blogs list organized by most recently updated http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/directory-of-stars/
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:19 cliotech
11:19
cliotech: 
http://blog.discoveryeducation.com/directory-of-stars/
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:19 cliotech
11:20
cliotech: 
Consider creating a Google Docs, Zoho, or JottIt form to gather the URL addresses for all the DEN STAR blogs in your state - then, take that list and create a blogroll to post on a DEN state blog page
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:20 cliotech
11:20
cliotech: 
Can use www.feedburner.com to track subscribers, readership, etc.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:20 cliotech
11:21
cliotech: 
Can also use Feedburner to splice feed with Diigo/Delicious posts/Flickr photos, etc.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:21 cliotech
11:21
RJ Stangherlin: 
Session information moves quickly, so little time to reflect with trying to capture quickly all the information. Having made this caveat, I must say that I really like Cover It Live as a format. The interactiveness of learning with my colleagues is unmatchable. I really like moving from posting as an individual voice to working as part of a community within my ppln. This application for the classroom is exponential...
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:21 RJ Stangherlin
11:22
cliotech: 
WordPress plugin - Feed Locations, Manage menu, change to Feedburner feed and anyone who was already subscribed to the old feed will get the new updated Feedburner feed
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:22 cliotech
11:23
RJ Stangherlin: 
Subscribe to FeedBurner.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:23 RJ Stangherlin
11:25
cliotech: 
@RJ - yes, live blogging is meant more to capture real-time information and thoughts and back channel communication; it is really not for heavy duty reflection (that takes more time)
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:25 cliotech
11:28
cliotech: 
Thanks, Steve!   Great information.  
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:28 cliotech
11:29
RJ Stangherlin: 
Thanks, Steve, for a great session. You cleared up a major problem I've been having on the DEN PA blog. Thanks, Jen, for setting this up. Look forward to doing the same for your presentation this afternoon.
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:29 RJ Stangherlin
11:29
cliotech: 
Thanks to everyone who joined us virtually!   This session will be archived at cliotech.blogspot.com
Tuesday July 15, 2008 11:29 cliotech
11:29



 
 
 
 Writer: cliotech
 
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