Blogs: Irish schools are blogging

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. L
earning 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, FairviewJohn 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!

Tags: special needs - down syndrome

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