What Is A Blog Supposed to Look Like?

Choose a blog and analyze the functions and substance of the blog as a form of writing and information delivery. In your opinion, what are the “best practices” when creating a blog to ensure appropriate form, function, and substance?

           I would like to analyze my blog . I have never really wanted one even though I have always had something to say. It a public document transmitted across the web making it accessible in nature to anyone at any given time. As a private person, going to an online school in order to better myself in career for my family, I have been coerced into becoming social and communicating with others outside this microcosm of mine.

      There was a need to enroll in this class, this program and to create this blog. My original purpose was to follow the guidelines of this class and be able to pass this class. I have new purpose, now, as my role is to be able to master the course competencies and to apply social media to my personal and professional life. This blog has allowed me to start to develop my brand and try to identify a niche. The purpose of this blog for readers is to focus on New Media and analyze the social influence on themself and others. My intentions as well as form have been straightforward. I have tried to write as a college professor with a catchphrase closing of "that is all for now. Remember to study and see you next week!" This soon became left off, and I started to write posts for other things than just my class. I was able to feel comfortable enough with my writing and my personal self to do additional writings!

         The "best practices" when creating a blog is to ensure appropriate form, function and substance. A blog is created out of a need. This need comes from an entity either singular in nature, or a group. The form should fit the reader as the writer and reader neet to connect. Page layouts, catch phrases, jargon, etc. should fit the style as well. In addition, a blog should have all of the qualities of any other media outlet such as meeting the needs of the community (or readers), exposing secrets, first-hand accounts etc.

Time4Learning Review

            Time4Learning is an opportunity to invest in your child's future. As a certified K-12th grade educator, college instructor and homeschooling parent I recognize the need for supplementary or solitary educational materials in the home. Time4Learning is my number 1 choice. Don't waste any more time or money with anything else.

           This online curriculum meets the needs of any learner. It is not only fun and entertaining, but standards based as it prepares your child for statewide exams. My son is in Kindergarten and was able to take not only Kindergarten Math and Language arts, but finished the 1st grade Science in 3 months. You see, a student can access materials below and 1 grade level above their grade at any given time. Once the activities are completed, a child can master the materials after taking the online assessment. 

              I am excited about the online program and am looking forward to seeing more additions. Recently my state has mandated the introduction of common-core standards which are nationwide achievement goals in learning. Every child will have the building blocks in each grade to move to the next. Starting in grade 3 common core standards will be required. I hope Time4learning will have higher order questioning with some of their extensions in learning. The program meets the needs of our current statewide FCAT assessment, but I am looking forward to seeing what they will bring us next year in preparation for the PARRC.

For more information on the online learning program or to try it out youself go to www.time4learning.com .
Information on Common Core and PARRC can be found at www.parrconline.org .

Social Media Tools revised

 Social Media Tools

       Choose two Social Media Tools that you have not used before and try them out. Compare these two tools and share your thoughts about which one will reach audiences most effectively. Explain your rationale.

I recently started using Tumbler and SoundCloud (for music) this week. I had never thought of using these sites before but recently got bored with Twitter. What I did want to talk away from Twitter was the connections that I had with individuals that I met this past month. I perused the followers of mine - 22 to be exact. I remembered how each profile has a second page which lists their screename, headline and website. I found 6 individuals that I could not part ways with and realized that 3 of them had SoundCloud websites and 3 had Tumbler. So I instantly signed up to see more.  Boredom with one social network opened up the  doors to two other. I can honestly say that Twitter is a gateway social network.

         Tumbler was simple to sign up. I did not really need to even create a profile. Once I confirmed my email, I went back to the Twitter website to add these three friends. This was a pretty simple process as well. Once followed on Tumbler, I had the opportunity to view their page. Its kind of like a picture blog that has everything that exists on the person. Things they posted as well as things others have posted on them. Tumbler also allowed me to view the posts that others had commented on on Twitter. It is an expansion site, but it also fulfills a follower's purpose as well as the purpose of the one being followed. It has all of the things missing in a two line tweet.

I then signed up on SoundCloud. I never really reallized that some of the people I was following on Twitter were actually music artists. I signed in on this site without having to create a profile as well. If I was an artist, myself, I would then create a set with some uploaded music. I was surprised how SoundCloud allows a listener to hear an artist's song as many times as they want as long as it is played on this site. I wonder what the musical requirements and limitations are on this site for an artist?

       Using these sites I realized the necessity of both and why there was a demand for both. Tumbler was made for the writer, picture taker and promoter, while SoundCloud was made for the musician or music artist. Although my love for music truly outweighs my love for writing or photographs, I like Tumbler because it it more versatile. It is an outlet for many purposes.