Assignment 1C: Blog Best Practices

Best Blogging Practices

1. Expect Respect: When using the blog for classrooms, make sure students understand that the rules of the blog are the same as the classroom. While debate and discussion is encouraged, inappropriate comments and language are prohibited just as they would be in the classroom. Courtesy and respect for others should also be required. These are important practices because sometimes using the internet provides a mask for people to hide under and they feel more comfortable saying things on the web than they would in public. Students should know that they will be upheld to a level of excellence and respect even on the blog. 
http://pc20s.blogspot.com/2005/09/students-made-this.html

2. Never link to something you haven't read: While this isn't necessarily a huge safety precaution, I thought it was an interesting tip to keep in mind. The danger in not reading through something is that you may not know what the contents contain and if they do perhaps contain something inappropriate or irrelevant to your blog/students, it could diminish your blog's credibility and your reputation. 
http://pc20s.blogspot.com/2005/09/students-made-this.html

3. Don't post personals: This one is common sense but oh so important. Writing for the internet can be tricky because once information has been published to the internet it may never come down and is always findable. This is why it is so important to be careful what personal information you give out on the internet and a good one to keep in mind during classroom use. 
http://yongesonne.edublogs.org/2006/09/18/another-take-on-blogging-rules/

4. Limit your audience: One way to protect yourself, students and the information you post is to limit the number of people who can see it. For example, make the blog viewable to only students and possibly parents. That way, if your blog has information about or pertaining to your students, only the students, yourself and the parents can see and the whole world doesn't have access to it. 
https://www.eff.org/wp/blog-safely