Blogger
Blogger is a free tool for maintaining journals, reflections, and portfolios. You can choose the style, theme, and layout of your blog from an easy-to-use interface. It is ideal for users that are new to blog design tools and want a simple interface.
Tool Requirements
Supported Browsers
- Latest version of Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, I.E., or Safari
Operating System
- Windows 8 or higher
- Mac OS 10.9 or higher
Internet Connection
- Required internet for viewing and editing
Software Download
- View & edit using a web browser
- Android app available
Account
- Sign-up at Blogger with a free Google account
Opportunities
- Personalize a blog set up with pre-designed themes that can be customized. Use Blogger design tools or write your own using HTML.
- Reflectively synthesize content information to show growth and learning.
- Add images and videos to your blog to enhance posts.
- Create group blogs by adding multiple authors.
- Allow viewers to comment and provide feedback on your blog.
- Share blog via URL, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and email.
- Create public and private blogs.
Considerations
- By default, Blogger allows blogs to be discoverable in search engines and viewable publicly. If you don't want this, change the privacy settings so only blog authors or added blog readers can view it.
- In courses where blogs are shared with others who may not have a Blogger account, limiting readership is not advisable.
- All additional blog authors or readers must have a Google account you are adding. If your instructor does not have a Google account, you must make the blog public for them to view with a link.
- Consider using PodBean if you want to create audio reflections instead of text-based ones.
Additional Support
For details on how to use Blogger, visit ERAU's Blogger User Guide.
PodBean
PodBean is an easy-to-use tool for hosting and listening to podcasts from the PodBean website, within Canvas, or on a smartphone. PodBean is a tool that anyone can use to create collaborative content.
Tool Requirements
Supported Browsers
- Latest version of Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, I.E., or Safari
Operating System
- Windows 8 or higher
- Mac OS 10.9 or higher
Internet Connection
- Required internet for recording and uploading content
Software Download
- View & upload using a web browser
- Android/iOS apps available
Account
- Sign-up for a free account with PodBean
Opportunities
- A creative way for you to conduct interviews or collaborative discussions with peers.
- Style your podcast website using user-friendly design features and themes.
- Insert wiki pages, links, and content into your podcast website to supplement audio content. This could include transcripts of your podcast.
- Track viewer comments and statistics (including activity, downloads, and viewer region) through the PodBean dashboard.
- Podcast channels can be subscribed to, and content can be shared via social media or through Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
Considerations
- PodBean is a host-only site. You will need an external audio recording tool to record your podcast before uploading.
- With the phone app you can record audio. However, this function is only available by downloading the app onto a mobile device.
- Consider Blogger if you want to create text-based reflections instead of audio.
- All content is hosted publicly, so access is free to anyone with a link. Consider using Blogger to upload audio files for private hosting.
- For high-quality audio, you will need equipment and software to record and edit your podcast. You can use Canvas Studio (Videos & Audio) for audio recording and simple editing.
Additional Support
PodBean Support provides information and user guides to help you with blog creation.