Dear Students & Parents: Right now in biology, we are studying genetics. During the course of this unit, we will look at many topics including the basics of genetics and heredity, as well as more controversial topics such as cloning, genetic manipulation, and stem cell research. One of the most effective ways to discuss and share opinions surrounding these issues is through a blog. The web address for our class blog is http://www.syersbio08.blogspot.com. There are currently four scenarios/issues/discussion topics posted. Students will be required to share their views on at least two of these posts but are welcome to comment as many times as they want. I would also encourage parents to get involved in one of two ways...1) Go to the blog and follow along. It's always interesting to see what students really think! 2) Create a blogging account and comment along with the class. We'd love to hear from you as well. Since some of the scenarios involve decisions made as parents, your insights will be very valuable! Many students have prior experience with blogging in other classes. If this is the case, I will assume that you know how to access the blog, log in, and add your comments. Just make sure that your username is only your first name and last initial. No last names! If you have never blogged before and need further information about what exactly a blog is, how to create a username and password, and how to add comments, I have attached a tip sheet below. Just read it and follow the step by step instructions. If you have questions or concerns, please let me know. I look forward to some great discussions involving students and parents alike! Cara Syers
Introduction to Blogs. Throughout the course of our year in biology, we will make use of a blog. Most students at Arapahoe have already been exposed to blogs in one or more of their classes. This handout is intended for those students/parents who are new to the world of blogging… 1) What Is A Blog? In its simplest form, a weblog (blog for short) is an online journal. Blogs are created by one individual but available on the internet for anyone to read and add comments to. 2) Creating A Blogger Account a) Go to www.blogger.com b) Click on the orange “Create Your Blog Now” arrow. c) Create An Account: i. E-Mail Blogger won’t share this with anyone. ii. Password Your choice. Just remember it! iii. Display Name This should be your first name and last initial. Never include your full name! ***Note to parents: We would love for you to read, follow along, and even add comments to our blog. If you choose to add a comment, please create a display name that indicates you are a parent. (Example: Cara S – Parent)
iv. Word Verification Retype what you see for security reasons. v. Terms Of Service Choose the box to accept. vi. Click Continue. The next step is called Name Your Blog. You will not create your own blog for this class. Close the internet window. 3) Posting A Comment a) Go to our class blog: http://syersbio08.blogspot.com b) Type your comment. Note: It might be wise to type your comment in Microsoft Word first, and then copy and paste it into blogger. This allows you to spell check and prevents your work from being lost due to an internet problem! c) Log in, type your password, and fill in the word verification window at the bottom. d) Publish your comment. 4) Blogging In School a) Arapahoe adheres to a strict policy regarding the appropriate use of blogging in school. To view these policies, go to the Arapahoe web page. http://arapahoe.littletonpublicschools.net At the top of the page, choose For Students, then AHS Blogging Policy.