Saturday, November 8th, 2008...4:56 pm
Preparing for the NSTA Portland Conference
My original intent was to begin preparing for the conference weeks ago. But, life has a funny way of ruining plans. Having your car die on the interstate and spending the next week trying to find another car is just one example. Does anyone actually enjoy the process of buying a car?
Anyway, I finally have some time this weekend to work on it. I’m giving an hour long presentation on why you should use blogs in science education. Here’s my rough draft outline:
- Brief Introduction – 1 minute
- Discuss the value of using blogs in science eduction (I’m going to assume that if they showed up to the session they are already somewhat convinced of the value of blogging so I plan on this part being fairly short); Show video of my students’ thoughts on blogging; Discuss the great opportunities that can develop due to blogging and how to make those happen – 15 minutes
- Show several science teacher and student blogs; discuss different styles – 15 minutes
- Hand out packet and discuss: contents include several possible student/parent contracts, grading suggestions, student post and comment writing checklist, etc. – 20 minutes
- Q&A – 10 minutes
It would be nice if there was a way to have at least a general sense of my audience prior to giving my presentation. Will the audience be absolute beginners or have some blogging knowledge? I’m hoping it will be a mixed audience. To break up the monotony of just having me talk, it would be great to have others in the crowd who can bring ideas to the discussion.
How does this sound? Suggestions? If no one comments and leaves any suggestions I’m going to assume it’s perfect.
Or no one is reading this post. 
10 Comments
November 8th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I’d try to include some basic how-to’s for people who might be interested in setting up their own blog – you will definitely be turning them on to the importance, relevance, & coolness of blogging, and you don’t want to leave them hanging! Make sure they know where they can set up a free blog, explain how easy it is, etc.
November 8th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Thanks! I unfortunately will not be giving my presentation in a computer lab so I feel sad I won’t be able to really help anyone set up a blog. But, you’re right that I need to at least point them in the right direction.
Do you usually suggest teachers use Edublogs? BTW, love your Avatar!
November 9th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I’m not sure they will be convinced of the balue of blogging. Would be worth asking them here how many of them blog and how many of them know what is a blog.
It’s always hard to work out the level of an audience prior to a presentation. SO I try to build in some time for interacting with them if it is a small group. Luckily my last session only had 30 participants so I spent the first few minutes going around the room asking them to share who they are and they background with using technology. This then helped me adjust my presentation to their level of expertise – most had minimal background and only a couple had high level of skills.
PS Reading your posts
November 9th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
How lucky you are that you’ve got a whole hour – I had 20 minutes to talk about the whole web
You could show the short Common Craft video about blogging for those who know nothing about blogging.
November 9th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
I love the Common Craft show. Brilliant! It’s a great idea to show it because it’s short and sweet. Do you really think I’ll have anyone who knows that little about blogging?
20 minutes for everything? How on earth did you do it?
November 9th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
PS Thanks Sue for reading my post!
November 10th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Miss Baker:
I have been following your blog/s and even browsing your class website for a month now. I am Mr. E from a small island province in the Philippine archipelago.
I think it would do much good if you would present some simple and easy steps in starting a blog. You can print the screen and paste it in a powerpoint slide and have it shown to your audience in case you are in a classroom without internet connection. They will be surely amazed of how easy it is to make one.
Anyway, my congratulations. Your blogs are indeed rich resources of info for a bio teacher like me who is a beginner in blogging. Kudos!
November 10th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Thanks Mr. E! I’ll add that info to my packet.
November 11th, 2008 at 2:11 am
@Stacy There are a range of “How to” manuals on The Getting Started With Edublogs” page of The Edublogger if that is of any help.
John Larkin has also got a Word version of his and I’m sure if you contacted him he would be happy for you to make minor changes if you required provided you acknowledge that you have amended it from his original version.
November 11th, 2008 at 4:02 am
Thanks! I actually already have my own. I’ve given a blog training at two different schools where I helped the teachers set up blogs. So I can use my notes from that and add it to my packet. But, it would be nice to look at the Edublogger and compare my notes to make sure I haven’t missed anything.
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