CA 4-H Computer Corps Workshop: Web Journals

Web Journals

a part of the CA 4-H Computer Corps Workshop Series

Originally created by Magali, 2006

Goals

To teach members how to make a fun and tasteful web blog
To inform members of safe blogging practices
To demonstrate, with examples, the usefulness, versatility and depth of the practice of blogging.

Description

Do you have a LiveJournal? Are you on MySpace.com? This workshop will explore on-line blogging and journaling communities: what they are, how to get connected, and safety considerations.

Lesson Plan

Introduction: Give your name, county, and favorite soap opera. 3 minutes

Overview of Goals: Quick Discussion of what they expect out of the session. 5 minutes

What are the uses of blogging?

Fun
Marketing
Politics
News
Entertainment/Reviews
Communities

Who can get a blog? Where? How?

Generally speaking, anyone over thirteen can get one.
Popular blogging/webjournal sites: LiveJournal.com, MySpace.com, Xanga.com, Blogger.com (discuss pros/cons of each)
If you have a website you can also host the blog at your site.
An important distinction to make is the subtle difference between a webjournal and a blog. Blogs are usually themed and humorous, whereas webjournals are primarily an online diary.

What's hot and what's not?

Hot: Easy to read, good grammar and spelling, tasteful design, humorous, interesting, pictures, a "theme."
Not: Garish colors, hard-to-read fonts, imbedded music or video.

Blogging safely!

This is especially important with webjournals, because they are more personal and therefore more open.
Ambiguity is a good thing.
Use a pseudonym, or only your first name.
Many journals come with a "friends only" feature that allows only friends to view your entries. Opting for this protects your information and lets you blog more freely.
Try not to give too much away; the name of your school, the full names of your friends, the name of your town or sports team.

Wrap up/ Question and Answer

Materials

No PPT will be used.
Handouts to include:

Requirements

Projector, screen, laptop, internet access, and about 50 minutes.
CC member familar with several blogging sites.

Resources on the Web

Examples

Check out these examples...

Reflections from Blackberry Point (example of a webjournal)
Hollister Free Press Online (political news blog, with a decidedly liberal slant)
Tom Cruise is Nuts (.com) (news and entertainment blog)
Girly! the Comic (a "feed" journal for comic updates)
Hip Domestics (a blog community for household questions)
MegaTokyo (a blog that accompanies a popular webcomic)

CC to finish:

N/A :)

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