Session 3&4: Advanced Blogging + Flickr

Last session, we talked about how to use Blogger.com to create blogs for different purposes. This session, we will cover how understanding some basics of html coding will make the maintenance of your new blog easier.

Things to know about html:

• HTML is the code behind websites that explains to your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc) how to display information
• HTML code is expressed through tags.
• Tags are contained in brackets <>. Anything typed inside the brackets is read by the browser but not displayed. Anything outside the brackets will be displayed.
• Most tags need to be opened and closed.

Examples of tags that need to opened and closed:

• The link tag - NYHS
• Text editing tags like
• bold
• italics
• underline
• Alignment tags like
• 
  
• 
  

Some tags do not need to be closed. They include:

• The image tag -
• The line break (or enter) tag -
  (goes to the next line)
• The hard return (or line) tag -

  ---

  (goes to the next line, draws a vertical line across the page, goes to the next line)

There are many, many html tags you can learn and use. I almost always only use the ones I've mentioned above. Occassionaly, I also use the

tag, which creates bulleted lists, or the tag, which creates tables, but these are not really important for the beginning blogger. You can go to a page like this to learn all about them.

If and when you are having trouble with something in your blog or webpage, you can look at the code and begin to get an understanding of where the problem might be. Are all the tags that are opened being closed? Are image and link web addresses in quotes? Etc.

Often, websites like Flickr, YouTube and others will offer you a box of html code that you can copy and paste into your blog to embed images, video, etc. In order to use this code, you must select "Edit html" from the tabs at the top of your blogger compose entry window.

Session #2: Blog Basics

A weblog or blog is an online journal which uses simple software to publish information on the internet. Common blogging tools include:
http://www.blogger.com
http://www.livejournal.com

There are many reasons to blog. They include:
PERSONAL - Keeping track of personal information and memories
Examples:
Laurie Halse Anderson
Pound
Split Rock Revelations

PROFESSIONAL - Keeping the public updated on your company's goings-ons and latest news.
Examples:
Harbor News
The Purl Bee
The Storque

INFORMATIONAL - Linking to and providing a discussion point for current news and events. These can be specialized or open-ended.
Examples:
Cooking with Amy
Slashdot
Offbeat Bride



For teachers, having a blog can be helpful to:
Provide an easy to use homepage for a class or club where kids can read important information, download files, and post comments.
Lauren's English AP Blog


Share and promote your students' accomplishments with parents, community members, and funders.
NYHS Internships by Sam
Community Clean Up by Melissa

Create a virtual discussion about class topics or issues.
Intro to NY Harbor Blog

Make a blog today using blogger.com!! It has a simple, easy-to-use and highly customizable interface.

Session #1: Smartboard Basics

How to get the Smartboard to work
Step 1: Hook up the projector to your laptop or desktop computer using a video cable.
Step 2: Hook up the Smartboard to your projector using the USB cable
Step 3: Turn on the computer and the projector at the same time.
Step 4: Open up the Smartboard software and select "Orient"
Step 5: Orient the Smartboard, and then DO NOT move the projector or the Smartboard.

Download the Smartboard software here.

An article about Smartboards and their effectiveness is available here.

Welcome to Classroom 2.0!

The idea for this series came from the Library 2.0 project designed by Helene Blowers, Technology Director, Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County and is loosely based upon Stephen Abram's article, 43 Things I (or You) might want to do this year (Information Outlook - February 2006) and the website 43 Things.

Each session lasts from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. The sessions are designed for teachers, but staff, students and parents with basic computing skills are also welcome. The focus is on personal exposure to new technologies as well as how these technologies can be used in our classrooms.

Participants are welcome to drop in to whichever sessions interest them. Participant(s) who attend and complete the most sessions will win a fabulous prize!!! People with expertise in a given area are encouraged to help out with various topics.