What are blogs?
Blogs are basically webpages that contain the writings or posts of an individual or group of individuals. They usually centre on a particular theme and follow a reverse chronological order. Not only do they provide an online space for individuals to express themselves they also facilitate reader commentary, critique, and interlinkage between sites and other blogs.
Commonly used blogging tools include: Blogger, Wordpress, and Edublogs. (Note: these may not be accessible through the Schools Broadband Network)
Scoilnet blogs are also now available and can be accessed via the NCTE Service Desk @ 1800 33 44 66. More information on this service is available here. The NCTE also provides training on Web2.0 technologies such as blogging and podcasting.
5 reasons why schools should blog
Many schools are seeing the educational benefits of blogging. Teachers are mainly creating subject specific blogs or blogs documenting a particular project. The aim is usually to provide a more collaborative and interesting learning experience.
Here are five reasons why schools should consider blogging.
1. They encourage higher order skills such as reflection and analysis but also encourage reading, writing and collaboration
2. Publishing commentary and entries can lead to peer learning, peer assessment and a sense of ownership, all of which are highly motivational
3. The technology involved is easy to use.
4. They easily support video, audio and other media and file types therefore creating a very dynamic learning experience and supporting various learning styles
5. Learning is extended to outside the school environment
Who's blogging?
The following is a snapshot of teachers and schools, primarily in Ireland, who are currently blogging. If you know of any other interesting school or education blog let us know via "Contact us". Alternatively, if you are a new or seasoned blogger why not answer Scoilnet's call to all teachers that blog to share their experiences.
Students
History Matters, by Second and Third Year, Portmarnock Community School
Teachers
Labhair leis an lámh by Eleanor Moloney, St Paul's Secondary, Greenhills New
Douce France by Conall Hamill, French teacher
From the Ground Up by Pauric O'Donnell - follows the re-design of a school website and integration of ICT into the classroom.
eLearning Island, by Dónal O' Mahony
Think for Yourself, by Noel Cunningham, Physics Teacher
The E-Learning Curve by Michael Hanley, Consultant
Integrating ICT into the Modern Foreign Languages Classroom, by Joe Dale, Language Teacher
Using ICT in Further Education, by Patricia Donaghy, ICT Coordinator
An Increasingly Digital Life, by John Hegarty
Simon's EduMoBlog, by Simon Lewis
Anseo.net by Simon Lewis
Blogging and Podcasting by Joe Molloy
Careers Ireland by Francis O' Toole
Faith Artsby Brendan O'Regan
Free Resources for Educators by Patricia Donaghy
Belfield Blog by Conor Galvin
Pennybridged's Weblog
Mr Kendall Recommends Maths blog by Tom Kendall
More Stress, Less Success by Humphrey Jones
Department of Information and Commnication Technology - St Colmcille's
ICT Education by teachers at St Columba's
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Primary Schools
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Post-Primary Schools
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Carlow |
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Ballon NS |
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Holy Family B.N.S., Askea |
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St. Fiacc's NS |
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Carlow Educate Together NS |
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Scoil Muire Gan Smál |
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Scoil Phádraig NS, Rathoe |
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Cavan
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Loreto College, Cavan |
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Clare |
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Barefield N.S., Co. Clare. |
St. John Bosco Community College |
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St. Joseph's NS, Kilbane. |
St.Joseph's Secondary, Tulla |
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Moveen NS |
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Moyasta NS, Kilkee |
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Rineen NS |
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Cork |
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Cholmcille CBS |
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C.B.S. Primary Mitchelstown. |
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Gaelscoil Mhainistir na Corann, Midleton. |
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Maria Assumpta Infant School |
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Ovens NS |
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Scoil Eoin Ballincollig |
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Cloughduv NS
St Columba's GNS, Douglas
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Donegal |
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Drumkeen NS |
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Woodland NS |
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Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál, Lifford
St Columba's NS, Ballylast
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Dublin |
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Archbishop Ryan NS |
Colaiste Dhulaigh, Coolock |
Beaumont Hospital School, Dublin 9New
CRC School |
Mount Seskin Community College, Jobstown. |
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Donabate Portrane Educate Together |
Our Lady of Mercy College, Beaumont |
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Burrow N.S., Sutton. |
Mount Temple Comprehensive |
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Holy Spirit BNS, Ballymun |
Portmarnock Community School |
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Mother of Divine Grace |
St. Michael's Holy Faith Secondary School, Finglas |
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Our Lady of the Wayside NS, Bluebell |
Fingal Community College |
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Sacred Heart BNS |
St Colmcille's Community School, Knocklyon - IT |
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St. Attracta's Senior National School |
St.Colmcille's Community School - Mathematics |
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Scoil Assaim, Raheny |
St.Colmcille's Community School - Science |
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Scoil Bhride, Donaghmede |
St.Colmcille's Community School - Chemistry |
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St Brigid's NS (Senior Infants) |
St. Columba's College - Senior Cycle English |
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St. Damian's School |
St. Columba's College - Science - The Frog Blog
St Columba's College - Art |
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St. Joseph’s CBS, Fairview |
John Scottus School - TY India Project
Assumption Junior Boys School, Walkinstown |
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Scoil Eoin, Kilbarrack |
Moyle Park College Written by TY Journalism class
St Paul's Greenhills
St. Andrew's College Library New |
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Scoil Neasáin, Baile Harmain |
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Scoil San Treasa |
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St. Martin de Porres, Tallaght |
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St. Clare's Primary School |
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St.Laurence O'Toole's CBS |
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St Louise de Marillac, Ballyfermot |
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St. Marnock's NS, Portmarnock |
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St. Molaga's NS, Balbriggan |
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St. Patrick's Junior School, Corduff |
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St. Patrick’s GNS, Ringsend |
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St Brigid's Killester - Parents Association |
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Talbot Senior NS, Bawnogue
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Galway |
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St. James NS, Bushypark |
Gairmscoil Mhuire, Athenry Vocational School, |
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Clontuskert NS |
Clifden Community School |
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Drim NS |
St. Cuan's College, Castleblakeney |
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Gaelscol Dara, An Rinn Mhór |
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Presentation NS, Tuam. |
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S.N Naomh Breandán, Annaghdown |
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Scoil Chaitríona Junior |
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Scoil San Phroinsias |
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Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Breandán |
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St.Patrick’s Primary
Gaelscoil Riabhach
Belmont NS, Tuam
Scoil Bhríde, Mionloch |
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Craughwell NS
Ballyconneely NS
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Kerry |
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Knockaclarig NS, Castleisland |
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Scoil Pio NS, Ballybunion |
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Convent Primary School, Listowel |
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CBS Primary, Tralee
Scoil Eoin Tralee |
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Scoil Nano Nagle, Listowel
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Kildare |
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Scoil Diarmada, Crookstown |
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Rathangan BNS |
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Scoil Eoin Phoil |
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Tiermohann NS
Scoil Bhride, Naas - 4th class
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Kilkenny |
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St Brendan's NS |
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St. Colman's, NS |
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Scoil Ruadháin |
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Laois |
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St.Patricks BNS, Portarlington |
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Leitrim |
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Ardvaney NS |
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Limerick |
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Scoil Chríost Rí, Caherdavin |
Castletroy College |
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Scoil Mháthair Dé |
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St. Anne's NS |
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St. Anne's Primary School, Rathkeale
St. Patrick's Girls N.S., |
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Limerick School Project - Cathy's Corner
Longford
St Teresa's NS, Killoe
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Louth |
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St. Oliver's NS, Carlingford
Presentation Girls N.S., Drogheda |
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Mayo |
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Culleens NS, Ballina. |
St.Gerald's College, Castlebar - Business |
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Gortskehy NS |
St.Gerald's College, Castlebar - ICT@SCC |
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Scoil Raifteirí, Castlebar |
Rice College, Westpport - Business |
Scoil Phádraig, Ballina
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Meath |
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St. Patrick's NS |
Loreto Secondary School, St. Michaels, Navan - Le Soleil, la lune et les étoiles |
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Oristown N.S |
Loreto Secondary School, St. Michaels - TY English |
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Scoil Cholmcille, Skryne |
Loreto Secondary School, St. Michaels Bookbuddies |
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St Declan's Ashbourne |
Loreto Secondary School, St. Michaels - Snapshots |
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Rathregan NS, Dunboyne |
Gormanstown English, New |
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Corracrin NS. |
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Scoil Phádraig, Corduff
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Offaly |
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Lumcloon NS |
Killina Presentation Secondary School, Tullamore |
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St. Clare's, NS, Glasson, Athlone |
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Ballinamere NS, Tullamore
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Roscommon |
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Frenchpark NS |
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Sligo |
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Ransboro NS |
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Our Lady of Mercy
Ms Gilmartin's Class Blog
Rathleen NS |
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Tipperary |
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Scoil Ailbhe, Thurles. |
St. Mary's Secondary School, Nenagh |
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Scoil Mhuire, Kilvemnon |
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Scoil Mhuire, Lismackin |
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St. Michael's NS, Clonmel |
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St. Oliver's NS, Clonmel |
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Dualla NS |
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Waterford |
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Gaelscoil Philib Barún |
Newtown |
Lismór Mochuda NS
Holy Cross Tramore
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Westmeath |
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Edmonton NS, Killucan. |
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Scoil an Chlochair, Kilbeggan. |
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St. Clare's NS, Athlone |
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Scoil Mhuire, An Chúil
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Wexford |
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Gaelscoil Moshíológ, Gorey |
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Mercy School |
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Screen NS |
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Gorey Educate Together NS |
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St. Aidan's Primary School |
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Scoil Naomh Maodhóg
St Mary's Ballygarret
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Wicklow
Grangecon NS, Dunlavin
Who else is blogging?
The only answer to this question is "how long is a piece of string". Nevertheless here are a few education related blogs.
Teachnet Blog
Intercultural Education in Ireland
Marisa de Dios Advanced English Class
International Bloggers Directory
Ewan Mc Intosh
CESI (Computer Education Society of Ireland)
CESI - Dublin Branch
Jakes Online Wiki
Technology Made Easy
SoRurall is an EU supported project seeking to enhance lifelong learning through social networking tools. Currently working with a number of schools in Clare - mostly through blogs.
How do I get started?
Check out the following:
Webpage: Blogs in Education
Video - Commoncraft - Blogs in plain English
Presentation - Using a blog as a teaching resource
Advice Sheet - Blogs
Damien's Account on blogging - Seomra Ranga
CESI 2009 Presentation by Simon Lewis - Why blogging is best!