I have spent most of my weekend trying to figure out how to embed sound and video files into the school’s Globalstudent blogs. Globalstudent and Globalteacher blogs are powered by Wordpress just like Edublogs but they are supported by Victorian Education Channel and SLAV (Schools Library Association of Victoria) and so there is no cost to teachers and they are free of advertisements.

However the tools for posting blogs do not include a media player in Globalstudent/teacher and so sound files and video files are not embedded but open in a separate window. Considering Edublogs and Globalstudent blogs are so similar I knew that it had to be possible. Finally after trying many workarounds I discovered the solution with a Google search. Jake Ludington’s MediaBlab had the code that I needed and clearly explains what it all means.

It even explained why the controls on the Quicktime player weren’t always visible. Now when the students post their sound and video files they will play in the same window which is a much more attractive option. The only thing I have to master now is making the videos the right size for the blog page. You can see how it works at Berwick Lodge Home Page. There is a Video example on Grade 6Z’s site as well. In this example you will understand what I mean about getting the size of the video right. If I made the player any smaller parts of the movie were cut off so it is just a matter of choosing the right dimensions when making the file.

I started my blog about a year ago – in fact it was the first birthday of  “My ICT Journey” on March 10th!  I remember at the beginning that the concept of blogging was completely strange to me. Now, it would be completely strange not to have a blog (or two). You know that feeling you get if don’t have your mobile phone or you forget to put on your wrist watch – that’s what it would be like if I couldn’t have my blog.

With this in mind I thought I would compile the resources that helped me get my head around my purpose and understanding of blogging. I am in no way an expert especially compared to the “pro bloggers” who I read and admire, but this short list might help the beginning bloggers of the world.

I started by listening to podcasts about blogging. Blogging Vox Pops was one of the first podcasts that helped me understand why or why not I might blog: It goes for about 20 mins and is easy to listen to while you are driving or doing the housework. E-Learning Insights has a number of podcasts about blogging that are helpful.

The next thing I did was to read blogs. The more I read the more I was inspired to write. Writing was not one of my preferred past times, a hang over from being a terrible speller as a child, but blogging is short and sweet and usually illustrated – so it fits all my criteria for writing. One of my favourite blogs to read at the time was not an educational one but Michele Martin’s Bamboo Project. Michele’s blog is

“… dedicated to helping individuals and organizations use best practices and social media tools to construct life-long learning and career development systems…”

The last thing on my list would be to take part in one of the blogging challenges. Challenges such as the  “31 Days to Build a Better Blog” help to improve your blog with tips and behaviours that only other experienced bloggers know.

You can really only understand blogging by blogging. Take baby steps and write for yourself but try to post regularly. Be professional and only write/publish what you be happy to have your future employer to read. A blog can be an excellent digital portfolio.

Flickr 1st Birthday Photo:

This is the workflow to create the following Voicethread.

It is a work under progress but now we know the process from start to collaborate.

Step 1

Students each hand-drew a picture of themselves. (They could have just as easily drawn it using drawing software on the computer, saved it as a jpeg and then we could have uploaded it directly)

Step 2

I used the digital camera to take a photo of each picture and uploaded the pictures to the computer which was quicker than scanning.

Step 3

Open Voicethread and chose a picture to upload which represented the topic (Friendship). We used clipart for convenience but you could use photos or student art just as easily.

Step 4

Add the new identities of the students by uploading their pictures that they drew of themselves.

Step 5

Have the students practice what they are going to say for their comments

Step 6

Connect a microphone and have the students take turns to record their comments on one computer. Don’t forget to switch identities for each student

Step 7

Add titles etc.

Step 8

Use the Share button to send the voicethread to collaborators or copy the link and email it to them. Use the code provided to embed your Voicethread on your blog.

This is a step by step guide for teachers to sign up for a free educator account on Voicethread.

1. Go to Voicethread and click on Register.

2. Continue to Register for a new account

3. Continue to fill in the details but click on the Educators link not the register button.

Fill in the details about your school to prove you are an educator and use your edumail or school email address in the School email address section.

Click on “apply” and then all you have to do is click on the link that will be sent to your school email address.

You now have a free educators account. You can upgrade to the Pro Educators account for a one off payment of $10 which will give you more storage. Compare the two accounts and decide what is best for your needs.