Create an ECE blog
Begin with Blogger
Blogger is a free online tool owned by Google for creating blogs. Blogger provides web-space to publish and host your blog.
Click on the link below to begin:
www.blogger.com
On the Blogger homepage, click the orange button - “Create a Blog”
Create an Account
If this is your first blog, a Google Account page will come up. To create a blog with Google’s Blogger, you first need to create a Google Account which will also be your blogging account. It is free!
Email Address: Blogger uses your email address as your username. It is also an avenue for communication with Blogger.
Password: Choose carefully. Computer and online passwords are prevalent in our lives. A strong password consists of at least 8 characters, includes numbers, letters and symbols and a range of caps. NetSafe suggests you treat passwords as you would a toothbrush - don’t share, change regularly, use a good one.
Display Name: Used by Blogger to sign at the end of your posts. Name Your Blog
Choose a title for your blog. This can be changed later. Choose your blog address (URL) carefully. Although this can be changed later, it is best to maintain one blog address for ongoing continuity and to establish sustainable support from your ECE community.
Blog Registration
Blogger requires you to register your account. An email will be sent to the email address you used to create your account. Follow the instructions in your email to activate.
Choosing your blog template
Blogger gives you the option of exploring and choosing a template design during the set up procedure. This can be changed later. It is also simple to modify your Blogger template in Blogger settings and layout. (see Blogger Settings)
Ready to Blog
As soon as you complete your registration process, click “Start Blogging”. Blogger then takes you to begin your first blog post!
Congratulations - your blogging journey has begun! Blogger Toolbar
Main Blogger Toolbar
A simple tab system helps to navigate Blogger.
Under the Posting tab you can: • Create - Create a new post • Edit Posts - View and edit older posts • Comment Moderation - View and publish or reject new comments
Create a New Post
1. Give your post a title - try and create one that is catchy and informative. 2. The post box has two tabs. Edit HTML and Compose. • The Compose tab is uncluttered by HTML code. The Compose toolbar provides options to format text. You can change the size, colour, style and alignment of text. • The HTML tab displays the html code. When inserting media from third party sites (YouTube, RockYou, Flickr, Photobucket, etc), you will be required to copy a code to paste into the HTML tab of your blog post. 3. When you have finished writing your post and adding media, click Publish Post (if you have not finished you can save as a draft to edit and publish later). 4. It is that simple!
Labels Label each post with keywords. Labels help you manage your posts. Discuss as a teaching team the types of post you envisage posting on your ECE blog, and develop a list of labels to suit. See “Add a Gadget” to display labels on your blog.
Post Options Use this area to change date/time of your post. Choose comment options for individual posts. Images
Image Icon - click the icon to upload an image/picture to your blog post.
The initial option will be to upload a single image. Click on ‘Browse’ to find the image you wish to upload. To upload extra images, click ‘Add another image’. You will be able to upload a maximum of 5 images. You can upload at one time. Online photos need only be low resolution. An image can be less than 1MB and still be viewed adequately.
In ECE, it is recommended that images on public blogs are mainly group shots, or that images are incorporated into movies, as part of your cybersafety practice.
Video
Video Icon - click to upload a video to your blog post.
Click ‘Browse’ to select your video (movie) for upload. These could be WMV, movies from your camera, movies created via PhotoStory3 etc.
You will only be able to upload your video if you check the ‘I agree to the Upload Terms and Conditions’. Read the terms and conditions.
Ensure that any movie created and uploaded onto your ECE blog does not infringe copyright laws. No music should be used that infringes an artist’s rights. Only use music or videos you have created, or that you have express permission to use and upload. Be fair to music and video artists - they work to earn a living the same as all teachers.
Check the size and file format. Depending on your Internet connection and those of your community, it may pay to keep your files sizes small. The hand icon indicates a link - click on these titles for further information online. HyperLinks
Link Icon - Highlight text and link to another web page.
Edit Posts
Under the ‘Posting’ tab is the option to view and manage older posts.
• You may edit, view, or delete a post.
• Drafts are posts that have not yet been published. You may view, edit, publish or delete drafts.
• List all posts, draft posts, scheduled and/or published posts. You can also list posts according to a keyword in the search form.
• Labels can be viewed and managed. Settings
The main interest for an ECE blog in the settings tab will focus on the privacy options:
Basic - Decide whether your ECE blog will be listed with Blogger and/or searchable through search sites such as Google.
Comments - You can choose to disable comments, who can comment, select comment moderation, and enable word verification.
Comment Form Placement - consider a pop-up window as this allows readers to write their comments while still viewing the blog post.
Comment Moderation is the best option for those starting blogging. This option will ensure that comments are emailed to your ECE email account and provide you with the option to publish or reject comments before your ECE community can see them.
Word Verification automatically stops automated ‘spam’ comments being posted. However word verification is a hurdle for your readers and with comment moderation enabled, verification is not needed.
Permissions
• Choose who can be authors/ contributors to your ECE blog.
• Choose who can view your blog and if private, invite readers. Layout
Page Elements - This is the engine room of your blog design. •Edit Header - change blog description and add an image to your header. •Edit Post - change layout of post items ie date, signature, comments and labels. •Add a Gadget - add widgets and arrange the order they will appear in your sidebar. •Navigation bar - It is recommended that the navigation bar be removed. See code below.
Fonts and Colors - Blogger provides you with templates that you can easily alter. You can choose to alter the colour of the text, headings, backgrounds, links etc Have a play and see the effects instantly. You do not need to save your settings.
Edit HTML - If you know the HTML programming language you have the option of altering your blogger template by altering the code. If you do not know HTML, do not attempt to change the code. The exception: The Navigation bar provides children with easy access to random uncensored blogs. #navbar-iframe {height: To Remove Navigation Bar 0px;visibility:hidden;display:none} • Select the code on the right and copy • Paste into the html code immediately above /* Variable definitions in your html code. • Save template
Pick New Template - It is easy to change your template to a new Blogger template with the click of a button.
Monetize - option to make money through the use of Google Ads. Tread with care. Research the pros and cons. Always put the education of the children in your centre first. Do not be tempted by ‘quick rich’ schemes that do nothing for the reputation of your ECE. Comments The ability to receive and give comments is what makes a blog interactive. Feedback on a post can encourage children, provoke children’s thinking, suggest and extend opportunities, and invite conversation. When you have the privilege of reading a great post and learning from a blog writer it is good etiquette to leave a comment. Engage in conversation or just say ‘thanks’. When reading posts written by children/students, be an adult and leave them an encouraging or thought provoking comment. Accept their invitation to engage in conversation.
Leave a Comment
If comments have been enabled on a blog, you will find an invitation to comment at the end of each post.
The ‘invitation’ may be worded “Comment”, “Leave a Comment”, “Responses”, “6 Comments”
1. Click on the ‘Comment’ link
2. A new window may open, or you will be transfered to a new page. Either way they display the same information.
3. If a new window is opened, you may need to scroll past the comments to find the form to leave your own comment. Write your comment in the form box provided.
4. Choose your identity.
If you have a Google account type in your name and password.
If you do not have a Google Account we recommend to families to use the Anonymous option. This is hassle free. TIP: Leave your name in the Comment section so that your comments can be shared with the relevant children.
5. Click “Publish Your Comment”
NOTE: Many ECEs and Schools have Comment Moderation. This means your comment will not be published immediately but will be emailed to a teacher to publish. Gadgets
Gadgets are additional tools, applications, games that you can add to your Blogger sidebar. Be aware that these are not governed by Blogger and can change or attach advertising to your site via the gadget. Recommended for Early childhood is a Map that highlights where people are who look at your blog. A blog counter keeps track of the number of people looking at your blog - great to add to young children’s numeracy experiences. Text explaining who you are and what your blog is about, can be added to the side-bar under Gadgets.
Add a Gadget
1. Make sure you are in the Layout Tab under Page Elements.
2. Click “Add a Gadget”.
3. A new window will open with a list of tools and applications you can add.
4. Click on the application you wish to add and follow the instructions.
NOTE:
Maps, Counters, etc If you have copied CODE or HTML text, then you need to select “HTML/ Javascript, and paste your code into the space provided.
Blogger Logo When you have removed your navigation bar from the top of your blog (see notes under settings), then you will need to add a Blogger Logo to access your dashboard easily.
Label Lists If you have a site featuring individual children’s contributions you can label your post with each child’s name. Once posts are labelled, create a Labels list in the side bar so parents can easily access their children’s posts.
Blog List Create a list of links to your favourite blogs. This is a great way for centres to support and network with others.