What is a blog?

Originally posted on Wikispaces at http://blogsineducation.wikispaces.com/ in 2007 but migrating here due to Wikispaces' sad but inevitable impending closure.

What is a blog?


A blog is an abbreviation of ‘weblog’. It is a web based journal or diary where entries are posted and arranged chronologically. They are typically free, and are found all over the Internet. The most common free blog hosting services is Blogger, but many educators are using Wordpress (http://wordpress.com/) or Edublogs (http://edublogs.org/) for educational blogs. These days many LMSs now have blog tools built in to them.


Why would I use a blog for my students?

• To have all their work in one place (writing, images, video, etc)
• So students have a portable ongoing record of their work (like an e-resume, or eportfolio)
• So students can read and comment on each others’ work
• Perhaps make student work available to a wider audience beyond the institution or college
• To improve student writing skills
• To encourage and promote digital literacy
• To use as a reflective journal for students who may be off campus
• For a teacher to write regular reflections, summaries, etc about the class
• A way to give students ownership of a personal space - a web site that encourages active engagement by the students and teacher

Some Examples of the use of Blogs in Education

• Bakery: http://www.thebakerscrust.blogspot.com/ (seems to have grown crusty) (Hunter TAFE, NSW))
• English as a Second Language: http://ourclass08.blogspot.com/ (Sydney Institute of TAFE)
• Business English course, Argentina: www.busyenglish.blogspot.com
• Professional Development - Designing for Flexible Learning Practice: Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Learning and Teaching, Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin, NZ. http://flexible-learning-course.blogspot.com/
• TAFE SA staff: for info on using blogs in IVEC and Cert 3 Womens Studies contact Karen Middleton

Resources:

• Why Should Students Blog? - http://classroomblogging.wikispaces.com/
• WIKIS AND BLOGS - Tools for learning: http://margoconnell.wikispaces.com/wikisandblogs=

Steve Foster

I guess I was 18 or 19 when I first heard Steve Foster play. I used to attend the lunchtime concerts held in Union Hall at Adelaide Uni. They were usually band gigs, but Steve played a couple of shows there on his own. I was smitten on first take. I had been playing guitar for a while, learning the same few chords that most beginners latch on to and I thought my guitar playing was pretty average.

Steve had just released his Coming Home in a Jar album, and most of the songs I heard him play at these Union Hall concerts were from that album. They were strong songs – catchy and meaningful. And by and large simple. Steve used chords I played, and didn’t use any fancy picking. He just strummed. And the songs and his delivery of them were beautiful.

It was a moment when I thought “you know, I could do this. I know those chords, I can strum, and I have a reasonable singing voice. “ It was a moment I’d never forget. I learnt a couple of Steve’s songs and had great pleasure over the years telling people who liked them that they were written by Steve Foster, the Adelaide Steve Foster. (There is a much more famous Stephen Foster – the American songwriter responsible for a great many famous songs like Oh Susanna and Camptown Races.)

Steve left Adelaide for Melbourne and ports beyond in an attempt to make the big time and for whatever reason he didn’t quite get there. He should have – he got close – but that’s a story for others to tell. In my eyes he was certainly good enough.

Fast forward to 2016 and the Adelaide Fringe. Steve was back in Adelaide and performed his Dylan & Donovan: The Prophet, The Poet & The Sorcerers’ Apprentice at the Semaphore RSL Club. It was a wonderful show. As I wrote at the time, it was a real treat to hear that beautiful musical soul sing and play and tell his stories again.

Some months later Steve contacted me. He wanted to meet for coffee and thank me for my review – he figured it had gone some way to getting him invited to the Edinburgh Fringe. I hope it was that way. If so, it would be some repayment for the enormous influence Steve had had on my musical development. I was really pleased to be able to tell him firsthand about the impact his Union Hall concerts had had on me.  I told him how he had unknowingly helped me believe in my musical self.

Steve was to do another show featuring songs of the sea in this year’s Fringe but alas it won’t be happening. Steve died yesterday. One of Adelaide’s finest voices will sing no more. Thank you dear man. Rest in peace Steve.