Blogs
What is a Blog?
A blog is a form of web diary or journal in which an author publishes to other like minded bloggers within a networked online community sometimes referred to as the Blogosphere.
They use Really Simple Syndication (RSS) as the syndication/distribution model so that the blog can be subscribed to and the posts can be read using software called a "feed reader" or an aggregator.
Useful Links
Julie Collareda's wiki page on blogs
Blogging, RSS Feeds and Podcasting for Libraries, Sean Fitzgerald, 2005
Video: Blogs in plain English by CommonCraft
Video: RSS in Plain English by commoncraft
Sydney Institute External Wordpress Blogs
Sydney Institute has a multi-user Wordpress based blogging/podcasting/vodcasting platform available for staff and students. The entry point is http://sydneyinstituteonline.net/ and is available on the internet. The Blubrry Powerpress has been installed to enable blogs to used for a podcast or vodcast. This enables a full iTunes compliant rss feed available for subscription. All files can be uploaded and stored on the server, in this sense it works a s a media repository as well.
You can view a list of all the Sydney Institute blogs on the right hand side of the myLeaning blog under the blogroll heading. To view an aggregation of all the posts made recently by SI bloggers click here.
Applying for a Blog
If you are a Sydney Institute staff member to apply for a blog simply fill out the online form for your college or opt for the Institute branding for corporate or project based blogs.
Remember to read the Institute Guidelines and terms of use for TAFE NSW - Sydney Institute blogs and wikis.
The myLearning Podcast & Blog
http://sydneyinstituteonline.net
To subscribe to the podcast using Apple iTunes use one of the following methods
- If you have iTunes installed and set-up simply search the podcast section of the library for myLearning and click subscribe
- You can also click here to open iTunes to the myLearning entry and click subscribe
- Manually subscribe to the myLearning podcast feed Open iTunes, select Advanced> Subscribe to podcast and enter the following URL
http://sydneyinstituteonline.net/feed/podcast/
To subscribe to the blog posts using a standard feedfollow these steps
- Open your feed breader of choice eg. Google Reader
- Cick to add feed to your list of subscriptions
- enter in the following feed address http://sydneyinstituteonline.net/feed/
Sydney Institute Internal Wordpress Blogs
Sydney Institute has a WordPress Multi user installed on the DET intranet for use by Sydney Institute staff. This means the blog is visible across the DET intranet and but not outside the firewall except via the DET Portal.
This platform is used for internal blogs.
SydNet Blog
http://umfweb2.sydney.det.win/wordpress/sydnet/
Finding Blogs
A great place to search for blogs is Technorati, a dedicated search engine for blogging.
If you know of any blogs of note you would like to share with the community add them below, we have a added a few of our favourites below
St George Library Blog/Podcast
Let’s Talk - St George ESOL Rosa Ochoa's blog/podcast
Jo Kay online Jo Kay's blog
Learn Online Leigh Blackall's blog
CogDog - Alan Levine's blog
