Recently I have been running a free online blogging course for teachers around South Africa, and I decided to do all the teaching from a blog to model blogging. I suddenly realised what a fantastic teaching tool a blog can be in a technology integrated classroom. I’d like to share a few of the Web 2.0 applications that can really aid a teacher in a classroom.
1. Use Box.net to link to documents you have created http://box.net
For example
1.1 Join Box.net and upload your document. You get 5GB of free space.
1.2 Once your document is uploaded and appears in your list, click on Share. A web address link will appear for you to copy.
1.3 Copy this web address to the spot where you want it in your blog and click on the word link at the top of your blog post to make it an active link.
The result:
“How to add pages to your blog
Take a look at the Tipsheet for a step-by-step guide for adding pages to your blog.
http://www.box.com/s/0n7mlllvp442syfhqnr1“
2. Use Embedit.in to link to documents you have created
Embedit.in is a fantastic application that allows you to embed all sorts of different documents on your blog by creating an embed code.
For example
2.1 Go to http://embedit.in
2.2 Go to My embeds and sign in using one of your accounts – I use my Google account
2.3 Go to Select Files and find the file you want on your computer.
2.4 Copy the embed code into the HTML part of your blog post.
This is the result
Read these instructions:
3. Use Slideshare.com for more detailed instructions
Slideshare is a fantastic way to present a book-like instruction to a class. You create each page in PowerPoint.
For example
3.1 Go to Slideshare.com, join and click on Upload to find the Powerpoint or PDF you want to use.
3.2 When you document appears click on embed to get the code.
3.3 This is what the code looks like
Result on the blog
Adding bells and whistles to your blog
View more presentations from fionabeal
4. Use Screencasts to explain something more complicated
4.1 Join Screencast-o-matic.com and log in. Start recording by following the instructions.
4.2 This is what it looks like when you are finished. You can embed it, upload it to YouTube, or download it as a movie file.
5. Use verbal instructions on your blog using Vocaroo.com
Vocaroo.com is so easy to use. You can download the result as a .wav file, or you can simply embed it in your blog.
5.1 Join Vocaroo.com, click to record, record and start speaking when prompted.
5.2 You will be asked to allow your microphone to be used.
*Paste the embed code into your blog
Here is the result
These are just a few of the ways you can make your blog a great teaching tool. Perhaps you have tried out others that you would like to share?
