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

From the Ground Up by Pauric O'Donnell - follows the re-design of a school website and integration of ICT into the classroom. New
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
Department of Information and Commnication Technology - St Colmcilles

Primary Schools	Post-Primary Schools
Carlow
Ballon NS
Holy Family B.N.S., Askea
St. Fiacc's NS
Carlow Educate Together NS
Scoil Muire Gan Smál
Scoil Phádraig NS, Rathoe
Clare
Barefield N.S., Co. Clare.	St. John Bosco Community College
St. Joseph's NS, Kilbane.	St.Joseph's Secondary, Tulla
Moveen NS
Moyasta NS, Kilkee
Rineen NS
Cork
Cholmcille CBS
C.B.S. Primary Mitchelstown.
Gaelscoil Mhainistir na Corann, Midleton.
Maria Assumpta Infant School
Ovens NS
Scoil Eoin
Donegal
Drumkeen NS
Woodland NS
Dublin
Archbishop Ryan NS	Colaiste Dhulaigh, Coolock
CRC School	Mount Seskin Community College, Jobstown.
Donabate Portrane Educate Together	Our Lady of Mercy College, Beaumont
Burrow N.S., Sutton.	Mount Temple Comprehensive
Holy Spirit BNS, Ballymun	Portmarnock Community School
Mother of Divine Grace	St. Michael's Holy Faith Secondary School, Finglas
Our Lady of the Wayside NS, Bluebell	Fingal Community College
Sacred Heart BNS	St Colmcille's Community School, Knocklyon - IT
St. Attracta's Senior National School	St.Colmcille's Community School - Mathematics
Scoil Assaim, Raheny	St.Colmcille's Community School - Science
Scoil Bhride, Donaghmede	St.Colmcille's Community School - Chemistry
St Brigid's NS (Senior Infants)	St. Columba's College - Senior Cycle English
St. Damian's School	St. Columba's College - Science - The Frog Blog St Columba's College - Art
St. Joseph’s CBS, Fairview	John Scottus School - TY India Project Assumption Junior Boys School, Walkinstown
Scoil Eoin, Kilbarrack
Scoil Neasáin, Baile Harmain
Scoil San Treasa
St. Martin de Porres, Tallaght
St. Clare's Primary School
St.Laurence O'Toole's CBS
St Louise de Marillac, Ballyfermot
St. Marnock's NS, Portmarnock
St. Molaga's NS, Balbriggan
St. Patrick's Junior School, Corduff
St. Patrick’s GNS, Ringsend
St. Patrick’s BNS, Ringsend
Galway
St. James NS, Bushypark	Gairmscoil Mhuire, Athenry Vocational School,
Clontuskert NS	Clifden Community School
Drim NS	St. Cuan's College, Castleblakeney
Gaelscol Dara, An Rinn Mhór
Presentation NS, Tuam.
S.N Naomh Breandán, Annaghdown
Scoil Chaitríona Junior
Scoil San Phroinsias
Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Breandán
St.Patrick’s Primary
Kerry
Knockaclarig NS, Castleisland
Scoil Pio NS, Ballybunion
Convent Primary School, Listowel
CBS Primary, Tralee
Kildare
Scoil Diarmada, Crookstown
Rathangan BNS
Scoil Eoin Phoil
Kilkenny
St Brendan's NS
St. Colman's, NS
Scoil Ruadháin
Laois
St.Patricks BNS, Portarlington
Leitrim
Ardvaney NS
Limerick
Scoil Chríost Rí, Caherdavin	Castletroy College
Scoil Mháthair Dé
St. Anne's NS
St. Anne's Primary School, Rathkeale St. Patrick's Girls N.S.,
Limerick School Project - Cathy's Corner Longford St Teresa's NS, Killoe
Louth
St. Oliver's NS, Carlingford
Mayo
Culleens NS, Ballina.	St.Gerald's College, Castlebar - Business
	St.Gerald's College, Castlebar - ICT@SCC
	Rice College, Westpport - Business
Meath
St. Patrick's NS	Loreto Secondary School, St. Michaels, Navan - Le Soleil, la lune et les étoiles
Oristown N.S	Loreto Secondary School, St. Michaels - TY English
Scoil Cholmcille, Skryne	Loreto Secondary School, St. Michaels Bookbuddies
	Loreto Secondary School, St. Michaels - Snapshots
Monaghan
Corracrin NS.
St Mary's BNS
Offaly
Lumcloon NS	Killina Presentation Secondary School, Tullamore
St. Clare's, NS, Glasson, Athlone
Roscommon
Frenchpark NS
Sligo
Ransboro NS
Our Lady of Mercy
Tipperary
Scoil Ailbhe, Thurles.	St. Mary's Secondary School, Nenagh
Scoil Mhuire, Kilvemnon
Scoil Mhuire, Lismackin
St. Michael's NS, Clonmel
St. Oliver's NS, Clonmel
Waterford
Gaelscoil Philib Barún	Newtown
Westmeath
Edmonton NS, Killucan.
Scoil an Chlochair, Kilbeggan.
St. Clare's NS, Athlone
Wexford
Gaelscoil Moshíológ, Gorey
Mercy School
Screen NS
Gorey Educate Together NS
St. Aidan's Primary School

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!