Videos, Images and Widgets to Enhance your Blog: Top 8 Widgets for Educators


There are additional features of blogging that can enhance your webpage.  You can add images, videos, widgets and additional pages. 


Images are important to include as it creates a context for the reader and can help explain an idea or demonstrate a concept.

Videos not only allow the user to see what you are doing, but the user can watch multiple times thus allowing the reader to learn at their own pace.  

Widgets are tools that are embedded into your blog that give your blog additional functionality.  For example you can insert a Calendar widget to allow readers to see your schedule, availability and upcoming events.  Here are the top eight widgets I recommend for educators:  

  1. Box: Give your students a space to submit documents to you directly.
  2. Blog Roll: Make a list of all the blogs you follow or follow all of your students blogs and have a quick link on your blog.
  3. Countdown Clock: Count down to an important event in your school year such as summer break or an upcoming performance!
  4. Google Calendar: share school events, project due dates and your office hours on this calendar.
  5. Search: Help your students find older posts that you share and tag on your site.
  6. Virtual Pet: Make a cute virtual class pet that you care for and name. 
  7. Twitter Widget: follow important leaders in your subject area and see what they are talking about. 
  8. Photos for Class: Let your students search for safe images with this tool. 


In this video I demonstrate how to use some of these additional features on blogger.

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