9TA Tuesday 24th June - Blogs for change

Aims: To look at how blogs are used across the world to express opinions even where you are not allowed to.
To express your opinions on a freedom of speech issue via a blog or other page.

Starter: Homework from last week: What is the google controvery?

Main Activity:
Can it be dangerous to blog?
1. Use a blog search (such as technorati or google blog search) to find a blogger who has been arrested or got in trouble for what they wrote. Write about it on your blog, what are your feelings on this? Was it the fault of the blogger or were they the victim? (you can search for bloggers who have been arrested)

2. Blogs for freedom - many countries have limits on what people can write or on press freedom. In other countries there are other problems.
Take a look at these news stories and blogs
Burma/Myanmar
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/09/27/myanmar.dissidents/index.html
China
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6707-the-blog-revolution-sweeps-across-china.html
Zimbabwe
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7317323.stm
http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/-/world/sub-saharan-africa/zimbabwe/

And other countries

Write on your blog about how people in different countries use blogs to express themselves. Put links to some blogs you have found interesting.

3. visit Big Think www.bigthink.com and post your opinions to a debate

4. Blogs can also be interesting to find out the latest news - find a few examples
Chinese Earthquake
http://www.marc.cn/2008/05/earthquake-on-twitter.html

homework: last one ever - write a blog post - year 7, 8 and 9. Which is the best, what has changed, what was great, what was rubbish.

Hi 9TA Thursday morning group

It's a bit quiet today with all the rock challenge people missing!
Well done do 9TA this morning for creating some superb blogs. I hope my other year 9TA group will get some inspiration from you!

Please vote in Laurelle's poll on her hyper-empathy blog.

Also look at Izzy's amazing layout on her blog!

But don't look at Ismat's brilliantly written Man U page as I don't like Man U!