Great Blogging Video

I've just discovered a really neat video on blogging called "Blogosphere".

You can view it here at Teachers' TV.

It is 15 minutes long (obviously recommended for viewing with a broadband connection) and I have included the synopsis below.

Please note mac users: you may have to download a plug-in to be able to view the video. It is Windows Media Player for Mac. I got mine for OS X here.

HERE IS THE SYNOPSIS OF THE VIDEO:

"Blogging is now a worldwide phenomenon with weblogs reaching a potential audience of hundreds of millions.

Blogs have been described as the ultimate in publishing for the people and have been used to challenge governments and the press.

Steve O'Hear, one of Britain's digital evangelists, explores how blogs can be used in schools. Steve finds some enthusiastic primary age bloggers and sees how it helps in literacy, ICT skills and a range of other subjects.

He finds many of the benefits extend beyond the curriculum. Blogging can help pupils:

• Develop confidence
• Improve their self expression
• Get a real sense of fulfilment from publishing their work

In West Blatchington School in Hove, blogging is practised by everyone from the head down. Steve visits the school's after-school blogging club, a special bloggers' assembly and sees weblogs being used in the school's autistic unit."

A Favicon for your Blog!

I had so much fun today adding a Favicon (short for favourite icon) to my class blog, thinking skills blog and this blog!

If you look above in your address window you'll be able to see exactly what a Favicon is!
It's that cute little picture up there where the "B" for blogger used to be!

Why do I love it.....?
Well it adds a bit of personalisation and professionalism to your page.
Plus if you're using Firefox (which you should be!) the favicon will also turn up on your tabs.... how's that for cute!
Note: Favicons only turn up in Internet Explorer if the site is in your bookmarks.

How to do it!

Upload the picture or photo that you want to use as a favicon to this site

Follow the directions and ransform it into an ico file

Grab the favicon.ico and get it hosted to the internet somewhere: I used Ripway

Get the full URL address where your favicon is hosted

Use this code and replace what's in the red with your URL (there's two to replace)

In your Template place the code next to the head code.

Fabulous Interactive Maths Website

Rainforest Maths is a fabulous Interactive Maths Website that is great for children.






It covers many parts of the mathematics curriculum like:

number

algebra

measurement

space (geometry)

I am going to introduce my class to it next week; I am sure they'll really enjoy it.

A class Del.icio.us!

Today I set up a del.icio.us account for my class.
I have been contemplating doing this for a while but was given the prompt after Allanah (from Appleby) and I had a chat about it all the other day.

This should be very useful and allow parents to have a more secure way of their children browsing the internet. They now will just have to open the del.icio.us page and know that each website has been vetted by myself. It also means that game posts from our class blog will be easily able to find.

I will promote it with the students and parents next week... I hope it proves to be a hit!