Introduction

Most bloggers use their sites as a way to share with the world. Some post diaries or online journals. Many others express their feelings or insights on an aspect of the world that’s one of their particular interests. As examples, some track a sliver of current events, hi tech developments, social justice issues or changes in weather patterns. By staying “up-to-date” on a specific topic, people gather both a deep and diverse expertise. There is no reason we should miss out on the fun!

This way our class blogs become much more than a way to list homework assignments, share student projects or chit-chat without purpose. Your class blog can be a tool to frequently engage, exercise and develop more sophisticated habits of mind. Fortunately, a Web 2.0 technology, RSS Feeds (Really Simple Syndication) makes it easy to keep up on almost any area of interest. Let’s get started…

Step-by-Step Instructions

“Reading the Feed”

1. Go to the MyPlace Feeds & Widgets page at PageFlakes.
2. Skim the headlines in an area of interest. The columns are roughly organized with News & Current Events on the left, Science on the right and Technology in the center. Specially selected links appear at the top in the centre and are from the MyPlace Project Web site. You should be able to hover over the links to learn more about each one.
3. When you have found a link that interests you, click on it and read, watch or listen to it.
4. Consider using one of the Thinking Routines to help focus your perceptions:

1. Log-in to your MyPlace Community Space or your class blog
2. Get to the part where you can Post a new Blog Entry (see the graphics below).
3. “Blog your Post” - Include a link to the title of the Web page you’ve been thinking about, perhaps a quote from it. If you’re in WordPress, use the blockquote tool in the text area menu. Most important add your great insights or feelings about what’s in the link.
4. After you publish the post, double check it to make sure everything is the way you want it. It’s only natural for people to judge the quality of our ideas by the care we put into presenting them.
5. Your “friends” and others online might have subscribed to your blog as an RSS feed itself, so they will be alerted to your new post. Otherwise, go ahead and send a message to your main community inviting them to comment on your post.