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.
Many schools use the Scoilnet webhosting/blogging service to set up and maintain their blogs. This is a free service which operates through the Schools Broadband Network. More information on this service is documented here and via NCTE Service Desk @ 1800 33 44 66.
To support schools, the NCTE also runs the following course entitled, 'Creating your School’s Website using Scoilnet Blogs'.
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.
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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
Gaelscoil Eoghain Úi Thuairisc
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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
Gaelscoil Mhuscraí, Blarney
Scoil Chroí Íosa, Blarney
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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
Scoil Naomh Padraig, Drumfries
St Mary's NS, Malin Head
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Dublin |
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Archbishop Ryan NS |
Colaiste Dhulaigh, Coolock |
Beaumont Hospital School, Dublin 9
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 |
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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
St Finian's NS, Newcastle
St Louise de Marillac, Ballyfermot
Our Lady of Lourdes NS, Inchicore
St Brigid's Infants - Finglas
St Louis PSenior Primary, Rathmines
Ballinteer Educate Together
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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
Castledrum NS
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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
St David's Naas
Ballyadams NS, Athy
Caragh NS, Naas
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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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Scoil Michil Naofa, Galmoy
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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
Salesian Primary
Castleconnell NS
Longford
St Teresa's NS, Killoe
Sacred Heart Granard
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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
Behy NS, Ballina
Balla NS, Castlebar
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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 | Gormanstown Religion | Gormanstown Debating |
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Corracrin NS. |
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Scoil Phádraig, Corduff
St Mary's Ashbourne |
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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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Ardkeeran NS
Scoil Ursula
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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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Kilbarron NS, Nenagh
Lissenhall NS
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Waterford |
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Gaelscoil Philib Barún |
Newtown |
Lismór Mochuda NS
Holy Cross Tramore
Knockanore NS
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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
St Mary's Collinstown
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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 Ballygarre
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Wicklow
Grangecon NS, Dunlavin
St Brigid's N.S (2nd Class), Greystones
St Philomena's Bray
Who else is blogging?
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
Pancomido by a teacher of Spanish - aimed at Junior and Senior Cycle students.
Organisations and other
How do I get started?
Check out the following:
Document - What is Scoilnet Webhosting/Blogging? 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!