A blog is a great way to communicate with students and parents! Of course...I am communicating with you right now by means of a blog! It only takes about 5 minutes to set up and post your first comment! Sounds easy, right? Don't let fear of the unknown hinder you! You can even get your students involved in the process!

1. Set up the blog!
This link - http://twexample.blogspot.com/ - gives you a template or example of how you can set up a classroom blog. Blogger offers info on how to set up a blog...customize a blog...add to a blog...manage a blog...etc.! Check out this link! For more directions...click here.

2. Customize the layout and other options. Make it your own!

3. Post information, photos, videos, links, etc. from a variety of sources. You can also use your phone to update your blog!

4. Allow viewers to make comments or post to your blog. If a student has a Google account, he/she can login and make a post. If students do not have a Google account, they can post using the "anonymous" option. However, you may want to require that they include their name or an identifying number or code word at the end of each post. This link will help with monitoring and modifying posts.

5. Add widgets...embed code or html.
http://twblogwidgets.blogspot.com/
Top Widgets for a Blog
Twitter Feed
Tammy Worcester's Embed Bookmarks - Lots of great resources!

6. Add static pages. Click here for more directions!
More tips...
Here are some options for teachers::
- About our class / school - embed a Google map
- Student podcasts - use Vocaroo
- Lesson plans - easy with an embedded Google spreadsheet
- Links for students / parents - embed from Delicious
- School calendar - embed from Google Calendar
- Homework dropbox - use a Google form

For tech directors:
- How-to videos - use Jing
- Livecast
- Help Desk - use a Google form
- Schedule - use a Google calendar

For administrators:
- What’s happening?
- School calendar - embed from Google Calendar
- Podcast - Using Podcasts in the Classroom - use Vocaroo
- Feedback form - use a Google form

7. Another cool tool -
- Great for scheduling PT conferences / works with Google Calendar
http://youcanbook.me/

Some if this info is from Tammy Worcester. I attended several of her sessions at the 2011 NCTIES Conference...she had tons of great ideas and tools to try!