EduBlog Insights

I just arrived at this conference which is hosted by the Georgia Department of Education.  A quick look over the agenda showed no weblog sessions!  I just KNOW this is going to change SOMETIME soon.  This session is entitled “I’m Tiny, But I Can Be Techie Too!”  This session focuses on making the connectin between the primary curriculum (Prek-2) and technology.  Session’s beginning…. Here’s the link to the presentation. More later…

via Kaironews:

Stephanie Nilsson notes on the sum of my parts that she has published her linguistic analysis of the blogosphere. After looking at the table of contents, I know it’s something I’ll definitely be looking forward to reading later on

Here are Stephanie’s conclusions:

“Within the blogosphere, a certain variety of language has developed, one that rationalizes the human need to communicate with the constraints of the medium. These weblogs group into tight social networks that consist of varying degrees of community. Unlike traditional dense social networks, weblog communities do have an outlet, a portal, which allows for the entrance or exit of community members. Each community is anchored around a topic, whether it is job-related, research-related, age, gender, etc. Because of the closeness of the blogging networks, varieties of language can be standardized, strengthening further the sense of group identity. Discourse devices like the monologue and the dialogue come together to create extensive conversations that spread through the blogosphere with an effect not unlike an echo chamber. These threads of conversation use many of the linguistic features found in both oral and written forms of communication. The two major forms of communication have united to produce a variety that utilizes the full capabilities of the Internet environment as a means toconverse and reflect. Because of the constraints of length and the purpose of this essay, this study was approached on a small scale and only within one research community. Further research is needed in order to document the level of standardization within weblogging communities, and the blogosphere as a whole.”

I find this statement fascinating:

“The two major forms of communication have united to

produce a variety that utilizes the full capabilities of the Internet environment as a means to converse and reflect.”

This is definitely a must read and I plan to carve out some time to read and think about the article.  Thanks to Stephanie Nilsson!

Today I finally got some time to write a little more on the rationale for my Wrinkles group project.  I am excited about this project but feel lots of butterflies in my stomach.  I hope I am up to the awesome task of working with this neat little group. 

ResearchBuzz has done it again!  They always provide the most interesting links.  Now, straight from Research Buzz:

It’s a New Blog Search Engine: Bloogz

If you can’t get enough of searching Weblogs, check out Bloogz at http://www.bloogz.com/ . The front page allows you to search Weblogs in five languages (Italian, English, German, Spanish, or French.) I can’t find any indication of how many ‘blogs are indexed here, though there is a link to list all posts made today (look at the bottom of the screen) and right this minute there are 935 posts available.

A search for “vinegar” found 57 results. Results include title, abstract, date of the post (I didn’t see anything further back than August) and URL. The “post” link on each search result provides all posts from that particular Weblog. On the right side of the search result page you’ll see a calendar and links to get all blog posts from a particular day. 

Phrases don’t appear to be supported; a search for “three blind” and “blind three” returned the same number of results. I like the multiple languages supported, and I like the idea of getting all the posts on a particular day. This search engine will be even better when it supports phrases and indexes more ‘blogs. 

I had fun doing a few searches.  Try it out…..

More good things from the tarheelbloggers! On a recent post on their listserv I came across the following:

Anyone able to give a half hour or so to Cori Dauber, professor of communication studies and blogger of www.rantingprofs.blogspot.com? (Blog was noted on Instapundit, http://www.instapundit.com/archives/011886.php) She is considering whether to upgrade to paid software that would look nicer, and is interested in incorporating comments into her blog. Currently she uses Blogger. Best times for her to meet are Tues/Thurs between 12:30 and 2.

Students helping professors with blogging.  I love it!

I was directed (via tarheelbloggers listserv) to a Nieman Report (Harvard center for journalism) on weblogs and journalism. Here are some of the titles of the articles:

BlogTalk looks like it will be an interesting discussion about weblogs.  Four educators (bios posted) will be leading a discussion on weblogs during this month October 6-24).  Topics include:

• What is a weblog? (Brian Lamb - October 6, 7)

• How do I Get Started (Brian & Scott October 7,8)

• General Applications Of Weblogs (Crawford Killian October 9-10)

• Reports from the Lines of Electronic Culture (Laura Trippi October 9-17)

• Case Study 1 - TRecs (Crawford Killian October 13)

• Case Study 2 - Indisciplinary Education (June Lester October 14)

• Tools & Culture (Laura Trippi October 16)

It’s interesting to me to see all the different approaches to learning about weblogs.

Lynne Jordan is the instructor in Early Childhood Education for our Literature Circles group.  Her post “I Think We’re On to Something!” is worth reading.  Here’s an excerpt:

“My goal is to have my students realize some of the possibilities of weblogging in their own classrooms.  I’m working now on ideas to make this type project manageable and worthwhile for classroom teachers.  I can certainly speak from my own experience with this first attempt at weblogging –my eyes have been opened in ways I didn’t anticipate.  It has, and continues to be, worth the time and effort!”

Lynne (Literature Circles instructor) and I met on Friday about our Literature Circles EduBlogs project.  Go here for an update. You will see how we are shifting the focus of our blog to one that blogs the journey.  Also, you’ll find an intriguing sampling of Newbery posts from the students’ EduBlogs.  Jump in the discussion!  You won’t regret it and you’ll be mentoring a lot of “pre-service teachers!”

It’s fun looking at the Bloggercon photos provided by Dan Bricklin.  Will has already posted about the education panel and the journalism panel.  Tim points us to Steve Burt’s reports from Bloggercon. Jenny Levine is posting away and as always her thoughts are great. Here are Pat’s notes from yesterday.  I know we’ll hear more.  Wow! It’s almost like being there!