June 2005 — Applications
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New Jersey High School Learns the ABCs of Blogging
At HCRHS, we host Weblogs locally. While we needed to buy blogging software, we now have advantages in control, security, and functionality. We license Manila,
a content management system from Userland.com (manila.userland.com). A $499 annual license lets us build as many blogs as our server can hold (up to 2,000), and we can navigate between an open audience (a blogging benefit), versus security and privacy (to keep our students safe).
Manila runs on a dedicated server configured with an Intel Xeon processor, Windows 2000, and 260 GB of hard drive space. A second, similarly configured server stores static files (digital images and PowerPoint presentations) incorporated in our Weblogs. HCRHS students and teachers with a login account and password can access the blogs from any Internet-connected computer.
Educators can also harness RSS technology to make Weblog content easier to read and manage. RSS has two components: an XML-based RSS feed and an RSS aggregator, which reads the feed and consolidates new data in one place. Almost all Weblog software generates an RSS feed automatically, and many major media outlets (e.g., The New York Times) create feeds for their content. Schools can purchase aggregator software for installation on a local server/desktop, or get free Web-based aggregator software; try the Bloglines online aggregator (bloglines.com) to access content from any online computer.
RSS lets me collect and consume content without visiting many individual Web sites. I use Bloglines to track over 150 news feed and educator blogger sites, and more. Teachers can also use RSS to aggregate student Weblog feeds, making it easier and faster to track and monitor students’online activities.
Will Richardson is supervisor of communications & instructional technology, Hunterdon Central Regional High School, Flemington, NJ.
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