Blogs are Web-based pages for delivering news, opinions, and information. Blogs are written on an ever increasing number of subjects.
Entry to blogs are called posts and are similar to a syndicated news column. A blog typically focuses on one subject and is updated on a regular basis with the most recent post appearing at the top of the page. Depending on how the blog owner sets up the page, posts may appear in isolation or with other posts.
There are many different blogging programs available each with their own features. You can maintain a blog on a public site or host it on your own server. If you host your own blog, you will have more control of features and functionality.
Essential Requirements
Blogs will operate on both a Mac or PC, as well as an iPad or mobile phone.
Equipment
The only equipment needed is a computer, smart phone, or iPod with a Web browser.
Software
Access to blogs is accomplished through a Web-browser. These are the most common browsers:
- Internet Explorer
- FireFox
- Google Chrome
- Safari
Common Blogging Applications
Here are common blogging Websites:
Here is a comparison of blogging software.
You can also write blog posts on the iPad with a number of different applications. Here is a list of tools: 7 Amazing Apps To Get You Blogging On The iPad Right Away.
Learning resources information
Key Web links
Guides and Beginner Instructions
Here are a number of great guides to help you better understand blogs and their capabilities.
Blogging Ideas
Here are blog ideas in case you are stuck.
Education
Here are a number of great ideas for using blogs in an education environment.
- Making Student Blogs Pay Off with Blog Audits
- DOs and DON’Ts of Blogging With Students
- Instructional Strategies for Blogging
- Blogging for Learning
- 50 BEST BLOGS FOR EDUCATION LEADERS
- Top 50 Global Education Blogs
- 100 Blogs That Will Make You a Better Teacher
- Top 100 Education Blogs
- Seven reasons teachers should blog
- Strategies for Blog-Powered Instruction
- The Virtues of Blogging as Scholarly Activity
- 7 Reasons Educators Should Blog
- Teaching with Blogs
- Public vs. Private – Should Student Work Be Public On the Web?
- 9 Ways Students can Promote Their Blogs
- Shorter, better, faster, free
- A Blogging as Writing Curriculum
- Digital Journals: Getting Students to Blog, Research, and Curate
- 5 Ways Blogging Has Made Me a Better Scholar
- 7 Reasons Your Students should be Blogging in 2013
- Academic blogging – 10 top tips
- Social Writing and Learning: Using Class Blogs to Enrich the Student Experience
Miscellaneous Blog Tips
These are tips that did not neatly fit in other places.
- Are you well-versed in comment etiquette?
- 100 BLOGS THAT WILL MAKE YOU SMARTER
- HOW TO WRITE THREE BLOG POSTS A DAY
Professional Development
Here are some articles to put purpose behind your blogging.
Tips for a Successful Blog
Here are ideas for improving your blogging.
- Five Ways to Become a Better Writer and Take Your Blog to the Top
- 20 Things to Remember for Writing the Perfect Blog Post
- Mind map: Best practices for writing an effective blog
- Five Steps to an Effective Blog Post
- 10 Ways to Write Better Blog Posts
- 50 WAYS TO TAKE YOUR BLOG TO THE NEXT LEVEL
- Why Start a Blog and 25 Tips to Make it Work
- Blog Like A Pro With 100 Tips
- 10 Quick Tips to Boost Your Blogging Skills
WordPress Tips
Here are tips specific to WordPress.