Blogging

I began blogging with my students in 2008. Back then it was a “fun” experiment and little did I know how many benefits and rich experiences would evolve. I’ve elaborated about my blogging journey in this post on The Edublogger. 

Blogging is a fantastic way to strengthen the connections between home, school, and the world. The amount of learning that can happen through blogging is priceless. I believe the future of blogging is bright, as I elaborated on in my post: Are Blogs Dead?

What are the benefits of blogging for teachers and students?

Read about the reasons why teachers and students should blog in my post on the benefit of blogging. It includes the poster below which you’re welcome to use.

18 Reasons Why Teachers And Students Should Blog | The Benefits of Educational Blogging by Kathleen Morris

Want to start a blog? What platform should you use?

There are lots of places you can create a blog. Some are simple ‘drag and drop’ platforms but the pros rarely use these: anyone who is serious about blogging generally hosts their own blog using WordPress.org.

WordPress powers over one-third(!) of the whole web and is a great choice for any blogger — beginner or advanced. I have written an article about the benefits of WordPress in education if you want to know more.

If you like the idea of using WordPress but don’t like the idea of hosting your own blog, there are options. I’ve been a fan of Edublogs for 10+ years because it’s based on WordPress, is customised for education, and you don’t have to worry about all the backend hosting and technical side of things.

Highlights of posts I’ve written about educational blogging…

I’ve written a lot about educational blogging over the years! I’ve included just a small selection of articles below.

Getting Started with Blogging

10 Ways To Introduce Your Students To Blogging (The Edublogger, September 2018)

Blogging For Complete Beginners: Getting Started With Edublogs

Parents and Blogging

Edublogger’s Guide to Involving Parents with Blogs (The Edublogger, September 2017)

Blogging Tips

21 Mistakes You Could be Making on Your Class or Teacher Blog

Collaboration Through Blogging

The Edublogger’s Guide to Global Collaboration 

How To Connect with Other Classes Around the World Through Blogging

5 Steps To Starting Your Own Team Blogging Project

Two Truths and One Lie: Global Project Idea

Monster Project: Global Collaboration Idea for Halloween

Start Your Own Global Project

Permission, Privacy, and Blogging Guidelines

Obtaining Permission to Blog with Students (The Edublogger, August 2017)

Should Your Class or Student Blogs be Public or Private? (The Edublogger, January 2018)

Commenting

Comments For Kids Still Count: Teaching And Promoting Quality Commenting

Poster: How To Write A Quality Blog Comment

Using Images in Blog Posts

Where to Find Free Images for Students and Teachers

The Edublogger

For more information about educational blogging visit  The Edublogger. This site has been a wealth of information for me for many years, and I am now a contributor!


34 Replies to “Blogging”

  1. Thank you so much for kindly sharing your wealth of knowledge with us all.
    I have found your site incredibly helpful.

    Sincere thanks again:)

    1. Hi Karen, so glad you find it useful! Enjoy blogging!

  2. […] primary school teacher from Leopold Primary School in Victoria has set up a class blog for her second grade students to […]

  3. […] the meantime, hereis a useful link for you to look at. It’s a great post by Kathleen Morris about classroom blogging, with lots […]

  4. Hi Kathleen,
    I’m starting a class blog with my year 2 class this year. This is my first to have a class blog. Your website is just wonderful. It’s full of information for people like me who are starting a class blog for the first time.
    I was just wandering if I could use/borrow your blogging information note to give to the parents in my class?
    Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with all of us!

    1. Mrs Kathleen Morris says: Reply

      Hi Irene,

      Go ahead and good luck with blogging this year! I’m sure your kids will get a lot out of it.

      Kath

  5. […] You can explore more of Kathleen’s valuable work on Educational Blogging HERE […]

  6. […] Morris has blogged a lot about educational blogging here. If you are thinking about starting a class blog I would highly reccomend visiting her site, there […]

  7. […] Morris, who I recently met at a conference in San Diego, also writes many posts about using blogs in the classroom. She has connected with many teachers overseas and regularly joins with teachers in creating global […]

  8. Hi Kathleen,
    I was wondering what is the easiest way to add videos to blogs. Are there any programs you would recommend? We have tried Vimeo and uploading to YouTube but we would like something more simple that the students could use easily themselves. We would like the videos to be viewable on pcs as well as iPads.
    By the way, you have provided inspiration to many teachers at our school. We have introduced blogging this year and the information you supply on your blog has been a great support for staff.
    Thank you on behalf of all at St Peters Hoppers Crossing.
    Regards,
    Sally Morrison

    1. Mrs Kathleen Morris says: Reply

      Hi Sally,

      Thanks so much for your kind words!

      Unfortunately I don’t have a great answer for your video question. I have found the best program to be SchoolTube which I have written a review of here http://www.teachgennow.com.au/2011/07/41-schooltube/ Children can upload their own videos, however, mine don’t. I use Vimeo and YouTube from time to time too. SchoolTube, Vimeo and YouTube should all be viewable on iDevices.

      Are you on Twitter? If not, that is an amazing place to ask the education community questions. Someone might have a better answer than me?

      Cheers,
      Kathleen

  9. […] has over 1 million sites blogs dedicated to teaching and learning. This blog entitled Integrating Technology into the Primary Classroom has almost everything you need to know about introducing blogs into the classroom and has won […]

  10. […] your students about internet safety regularly and authentically. I have found blogging to be an excellent way to have an ongoing dialogue about these issues. Make the most of online […]

  11. Kelly Summerfeldt says: Reply

    Hi Mrs Morris,

    My name is Kelly, I am a 1st year Early Childhood and Primary Education student at Australian Catholic University in Brisbane. I am currently doing some research for a tutorial presentation on parent/teacher partnerships. I was looking into blogs as a method of communication and stumbled upon your blog. I love it! My daughter is in year 2 and I would love this to be used in her school – from a parents point of view I think it is awesome, however from a pre-service teachers point of view I think it would be an invaluable aid in maintaining partnerships with parents.

    I was wondering if you would mind if I included a link on my power point presentation to your class blog so that I can show my fellow class mates an example of an awesome blog? I would be shown to approx. 30 fellow students and my lecturer only.

    Would you mind if I did this?

    Thank you kindly,

    Kelly

    1. Mrs Kathleen Morris says: Reply

      Hi Kelly,

      That’s fine! My blog is open for anyone to look at.

      Thanks so much for your kind words and good luck with your presentation!

      Kathleen

  12. Teresa Morgan says: Reply

    Dear Mrs Morris,
    My name is Teresa and I am a 3rd year, per-service teacher at the University of Southern Qld. I am currently enrolled in EDC3100-ICT and pedagogy.
    For this course I am to design a digital artifact discussing the impact of ICTs in the classroom environment. I have chosen to research blogging. I would love to use your class blog as a screen shot in my assignment, as well as discussing how you integrate blogging into your classroom learning. May I have your permission to include your blog in my assignment please?
    Once I have completed my digital artifact I will post the link to the website that I have created so that you can see what I have done. You can also follow my learning journey at http://teresamorgan.edublogs.org/
    I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and use of blogging with us.
    Kind regards,
    Teresa Morgan.

    1. Mrs Kathleen Morris says: Reply

      Hi Teresa,

      That’s fine. Good luck with your assignment!

      Kathleen

  13. […] have been inspired by Kathleen Morris’ educational blog) This entry was posted in Uncategorized by rklimeck. Bookmark the […]

  14. […] potential of a well designed blogging program. She also has a personal blog and includes a great guide to educational blogging. I have used Kathleen’s resources for our own program, and she is a true inspiration and […]

  15. […] It is run by Kathleen Morris a fourth grade teacher from Australia. She often blogs about educational blogging and global collaboration. I found it very interesting to read about her ideas on global […]

  16. Hi Kathleen,
    I’ve been following your blogging journey for awhile now, both on your teacher blog and your Yr 2 and Yr 4 classroom blogs. What you are doing is so inspiring and I have finally taken the leap this year to start a classroom blog with my students. I am essentially piloting the concept for my school and have found all your ideas, documents and posts SO helpful. I know on your classroom blog you say that people are welcome to your parent notes, guidelines etc as long as they attribute – I have done so but just wanted to also say a huge thank you. I have used your exemplary blog to convince my school of how worthwhile blogging is, and to give the parents at school an idea of what a blog can look like and the numerous benefits. I have already received some permission notes back from parents, I’ll be running a short info session to answer questions and my kids are getting really excited. Thank you for inspiring me in this journey!
    Amy Byrne
    Canberra, ACT

    1. Mrs Kathleen Morris says: Reply

      Hi Amy,

      Great to hear from you and thanks for your kind words. I’m really happy to hear you’ve started blogging with your students and you’ve found the parent notes etc useful.

      Good luck with your blogging journey. I love your enthusiasm!

      Kathleen

  17. Jessica Frois says: Reply

    Hi Kathleen,
    The information you have about blogging is fantastic. I’ve recently started a class blog with my year 3/4 class. I’m learning as I go along and refer to your webpage when I need a hand. Just wondering if you will have some sort of Professional Development over the holidays or even a chance to chat to see if I’m heading in the right direction?
    Thanks
    Jess Frois
    Melbourne, VIC

    1. Mrs Kathleen Morris says: Reply

      Hi Jess,

      Thanks so much for your comment and I’m so happy to hear you’ve started blogging. I would love to run a PD or something but I’m heading off for maternity leave soon as I’m expecting a baby in July. Sorry I can’t help this time!

      Good luck!
      Kathleen

  18. […] I love about the blog is that she aims a lot of towards the parents of the kids in her class called “parents and blogging.” I think this approach really makes the parents feel involved in the classroom and keeps the parents […]

  19. J Carter-McFarlin says: Reply

    I had not considered starting a classroom blog for my fifth grade class until I read your blog. Thank you for sharing.

    1. Mrs Kathleen Morris says: Reply

      That’s great to hear. Good luck!

  20. wow! great news for every student. Thanks for share.

  21. heyy!! Kathleen..
    this is an amazing work .The depth of information here is very impressive you outdid yourself..I read each ans every word of your blog..its superinformative.

    Thanks for helping all I can definitely say this information has been very helpful..
    http://www.northholm.nsw.edu.au/

  22. Hi Kathleen
    There was a lot to see and learn about as I was listening to the video. I’m currently taking a first-time class in blogging and found your video was well-organized and the depth of your presentation was outstanding. I thoroughly enjoyed.
    Connie B.

  23. Venkata Panchumarthi says: Reply

    Hi i am Venkata Panchumarthi.
    Awesome. This article is very nice and it gives lot of information. I read the excellent article in recent days its helped me a lot. Thanks for sharing such a nice article.

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