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My Example PLP Blog
Go to the example http://plptemplate.blogspot.com/
Things to click on: try the different views on the calendar and the timeline.
Advance through the powerpoint.
Creating a Blog with Google Blogger
Step 1 – Creating a Google Account
Right click and open the sign up link in a new tab
Username: Get students to create a username that is consistent in pattern
Student first name + last name initial + school name eg JonahTSummerHeightsHigh@gmail.com
Step 2 – Creating the Blog
Go to blogger and sign in with your new username and password.
Click create your blog now.
Get students to create a blog name that is consistent in pattern
Student first name + last name initial + PLP eg JonahTPLP
(Your blog is now called www.whatever _you_ called_ your blog.blogspot.com you can always access it using this web address, even if you close the browser.)
Choose a title for your blog. Eg My Personal Learning Plan
At this point don’t worry about the template you choose. We will be changing the template later so this is unimportant. Click continue.
You will be told your blog has been created, click Start Blogging!
Step 3 – Changing the template
Click “layout” and “template” to see a greater variety of templates. You can choose any template, however not all fill the screen, most templates only fill the central space. By choosing one that says “stretch” this ensures the best use of space. I suggest “Minima lefty stretch” which gives you plenty of room in the sidebar as well as are wide enough body for the posts.
Step 4 – Customising your Page Elements- adding a gadget.
Go to Layout>Page Elements
Here you can add or delete various page elements. By clicking “add a gadget” you can add various content.
Step 5 – Blogging Reflections
Either “New Post” will appear in the top right hand corner
or go to “Posting” and create a new post
You may wish to create a list of links that students can get ideas about how to construct a learning reflection
There are many resources to help students structure reflections for example here or here
Blog post are automatically dated.
Creating and embedding a PLP powerpoint with Slideshare
Slideshare is a site where you can view, download and upload powerpoints (ppt not 2007 pptx files)
Step 1 – Example Personal Skills Inventory
There is a personal skills inventory PowerPoint called personal learning plan template this can be downloaded and used as is, or it can be adapted. Each student can then personalise the inventory and upload it to slide share. You don’t need to be a member to view and download PowerPoints.
Step 2 – Uploading Powerpoints to slideshare
Go to www.slideshare.com and sign up (it’s free).
Along the top the options read Home Browse My Slidespace Upload Community Widgets choose “Upload” and upload your PLP. There is a limit of 50MB for each (although you could always split the ppt in two if too large) and pptx files (2007) are not supported.
Step 4 – Embed into your blog
When you have uploaded your slideshow, look to the right and locate the word “Embed” there is a box of text to the further right … that is the code to embed… but choose “more options” that is underneath. Highlight all the text and copy (ctrl c). Return to your blog and Go to Layout>Page Elements
Click “add a gadget” on your page layout and scroll down and select “Html/Javascript” then paste (ctrl V) click “save” and then view blog. The slideshow should appear! If it is too big and you want to make it smaller look at the embedded code it says “height” and “width” change those parameters and then “save”
Creating and Embedding a Google Calendar
Step 1
Go to Google Calendar and sign in with your google account email and password.
Students can use this to input important information eg work, assignments, tests. They can set alerts which will email them reminders. For example they could set reminders for themselves to blog their learning reflections for the PLP!
On the right hand side under My Calendars, there is a drop down menu arrow to the right of your calendar name. Choose “calendar settings”. Then scroll down to “embed calendar” Click “customize calendar” here you can choose the size etc of the calendar as it appears on your blog.
Copy (ctrl c) the code in the embed code box.
Return to your blog and Go to Layout>Page Elements
Click “add a gadget” on your page layout and scroll down and select “Html/Javascript” then paste (ctrl V) click “save” and then view blog.
Creating and Embedding a Timeline with Dipity
Blog posts can be displayed on a timeline which is automatically generated by the blogs RSS feed.
Look at an example timeline, this is the timeline of my learning and teaching blog
Step 1 Creating a dipity account
Go to www.dipity.com and sign up.
This will automatically make a timeline generated from the blog feeds (note you will need to make a post first or dipity wont detect the feed)
Click “add a topic” (timelines are called topics) and choose “RSS feed” into the feed box cut and paste the following including your blogs name. http://insertblognamehere.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
On the bottom right of your timeline click “embed widget”. It gives you a range of options regarding size etc.
Copy (ctrl c) the code in the embed code box.
Return to your blog and Go to Layout>Page Elements
Click “add a gadget” on your page layout and scroll down and select “Html/Javascript” then paste (ctrl V) click “save” and then view blog. Your timeline should appear.
