Blogger



Description

Blogger is a free online tool used to create and post Internet blogs. Blogs are “web logs” or online journals where users can post information daily in the form of text, video, and digital pictures. Blogger, now owned by Google, uses a very simple and user friendly programming interface which allows just about anyone to create a blog in a matter of minutes. There are virtually no requirements for creating a new blog on Blogger, and there are no fees or membership dues in order to use the site. Blogger uses a [|WYSIWYG] (What You See Is What You Get) editor which allows the most novice of technology users to create content that looks visually appealing and is up to date. Due to the basic functions available in the WYSIWYG editor, the full range which most average users can edit or modify their blog page is somewhat limited, but straight to the point and easy to use nonetheless. For the more programming savvy users, an HTML editor allows for full control over the appearance and content of the blog through HTML coding. Aside from HTML control, all users have access to predesigned templates to use for their blog pages. These settings can easily be changed and allow users to have a completed look and feel to their blog. Blogger also allows for the embedding and addition of numerous [|blog gadgets] such as visitor polls, picture slideshows, news feeds, [|RSS subscriptions], Google supported ads, games, and other tools. There are thousands of third party gadgets available to add to the blog and can be indexed and added to the blog through a simple drag and drop feature. Each blog page can then be customized to the users’ preference for layout and accessibility. These features add to the interactivity of the reader within the blog, and allows for greater depth in the blog appeal and functionality. Blogger, being supported by the Internet giant Google, has excellent reliability, security, features, and user support. Blogger is now used by millions of users worldwide and supports 41 different languages. Being directly owned and operated by Google, Blogger can ensure that future advances in blogging technology are only limited by the user's imagination.

History

Blogger was originally launched during the dot com boom of the mid to late nineties in August of 1999 by programmers [|Evan Williams] and [|Meg Hourihan] of [|Pyra Labs]. Blogger was originally created as a side project for the programmers and grew at a decent pace from its inception. Blogger was created with the philosophical mindset of freedom of expression and was intended to allow users to freely express their ideas, opinions, thoughts, journals, and information with the rest of the world through blogging. According to Blogger’s story, the programmers stated that Blogger hit a low point in the early years of the millennium, but was able to continue the Blogger service to thousands of users. In late 2002, Blogger was approached by Google. And in February of 2003, Google bought Blogger, and added the service to its rapidly growing and thriving search engine based company. Less than five years after their purchase by Google, Blogger had hosted millions of blogs and had been listed as one of the top 20 visited websites by unique visitors in 2007 with over 20 million viewers. Prior to 2006, Blogger had different levels of membership, such as Blogger Gold, which was a paid version of Blogger which allowed paid users the use of additional features not available to the free user. This included features such as the ability to upload pictures and video to each blog. In mid 2007, Google completely moved over Blogger’s Google based accounts to the Google servers. With the support and use of Google’s mega sized Internet servers, Blogger claimed that the reliability and accessibility of Blogger had become even more stable and efficient. Blogger users can now create free accounts on a completely membership and level free basis and can freely post pictures and video at any time from anywhere. Blogger’s two main support programs are [|Picasa], Google’s picture hosting site, and [|Google Video], Google’s video hosting site, which allows Blogger users to host pictures and video directly to their blog through Blogger without any costs to the user. Both Picasa and Google video are free hosting sites and make using Blogger a hassle free and cost free blogging experience.

Impact on teaching and learning

The implications for teaching and learning in Blogger are limitless. Teachers can use blogger as a quick and efficient way to update students on articles, news features, assignments, and other informational bits to help students stay informed. Blogger can be used by instructors as a digital bulletin board that students can access from the Internet at any time, from anywhere, with the use of an Internet capable device. Blogs can also be subscribed to via RSS subscriptions which makes keeping updated a simple and hassle free task. With its free service, Blogger allows virtually anyone, including the poor and financially strapped student, to begin blogging. The only main requirement, of course, is the access and use of an Internet capable device such as a desktop computer, laptop, or cell phone. This allows even the most remote and financially limited of users to freely express their voice and opinions to the entire world. For those looking for or need a bit more anonymity and privacy, Blogger allows for the filtering of viewer accessibility and reduced indexing by Internet search engines, which means that the user’s blog can be as recluse and hidden as the blogger wishes or needs. From a student’s standpoint, these implications mean that a student may be able to create content to be viewed by selected individuals, such as an instructor or other students, without the concerns of being viewed by the rest of the Internet public. This is especially important when dealing with younger students. In this technology age, it is an unavoidable reality that the students of today need to become active contributors to the informational base on the World Wide Web. Blogger allows teachers and students alike to share a myriad of informational tidbits with people across the globe and can be used in and out of the classroom as a powerful communication tool. With millions of users around the world, students can search and follow countless other blogs from students in other countries. Features such as the comment function allow viewers to respond to blog posts and allows for feedback from a real live audience. Students learn how to communicate effectively through their writing, feedback, and interaction with each other.

Practical Applications

Blogger has allowed people across the world to become active creators of content on the Internet. On a daily basis, Millions of users are able to create content on the Internet in various forms ranging from written work, to digital images and video, to original music and artwork. For novice writers, amateur poets, and striving scholars alike, Blogger has opened a broad avenue to everyone for sharing knowledge, experiences, and thoughts into a convenient and virtually cost free package. Some examples of practical applications are:
 * Personal Blogs in a journal format. Blogger allows for people to post multiple blog posts daily. Users can allow friends, relatives, as well as random and anonymous viewers to get a glimpse into the thoughts, rants, raves, ideas, and inspirations of the blogger.
 * Family Blogs. Blogger allows for family members to stay connected through blogging, regardless of geographical distance. Blogger adds the ability to add numerous authors to any blog, so family members across the globe can all participate in the same blog and stay connected and updated with the use of a Blogger Blog.
 * Informational Blogs. Users can create a blog centralized around specific topics, such as technology, and can post information, news, and updates complete with commentary for others to read and respond to. Blogger also suggests interesting and noteworthy blogs to read and allows for each user to follow a number of blogs at the same time.

Examples and Demonstrations

The following YouTube video clip is a short video tutorial for setting up a free Blogger account and posting a blog on the site. media type="youtube" key="bU4gXHkejMo&hl=en&fs=1" height="344" width="425"

Here is another YouTube video clip which discusses the privacy settings available for users on Blogger.

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And here is a screen shot of an example blog from Momilani Elementary School's third grade class. (Used with permission from M. Uchino, teacher and creator of the blog.)



References

[|Blogger on Wikipedia] [|Blogger: Create your free blog] [|Blogger ranked 16 in top 50 websites by unique visitors in 2007] [|Blogger ranked Bronze in Top Ten Blogging Tools] [|Blogger on YouTube]

External Links

[|Blogger Blogs of Note (updated daily)] [|Elementary School’s Third Grade Blog Example] [|Technology Blog on Blogger] [|Blog about the Power of Educational Technology]

About the Author

This Wikipage was created by Masaru Uchino, Masters of Educational Technology Student at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, for ETEC 602.