Blogger is Google's blogging tool. Many educators use Blogger because of its ease of use, features, and powerful publishing features. This page will demonstrate some of those features.
The slideshow below is an embedded presentation about using Blogger to build community. Below that are explanations from slides in the presentation to get you started using Blogger and other tools.

Set Up

Setting up Blogger is easy. Use the dashboard to select your blog. Each blog has three tabs for editing; Posts, Settings, and Layout. Learn about how to set those up in the Blogger help pages: http://help.blogger.com/

Embedding Media

Blogger allows one to embed media from many different sources. Find and copy the embed code for the application you want to embed in your post. In Blogger, while you are editing a post, click on the Edit HTML tab above the text. Paste in the code. Hit enter a few times to put some space after the code. Type a few letters, then click on the Compose tab again to continue adding text. The embedded media will appear after being published. You can see a preview by clicking on the Preview link.

Maps

In Google Maps, after searching for a location, click on the "Link to this page" link in the upper right. This will give you the code to copy and paste into the html editing of your blog.

SlideShows

Many applications offer the ability to embed slideshows. Examples are PicasaWeb, Google Presentations in Google Docs, Flickr via FlickrSlidr, SlideShare, and Bubbleshare. After creating your slideshow, look for the share and embed link on the page. Many sites have a specially formatted code just for Blogger.

VoiceThread

Embed VoiceThread projects by clicking on the "gear" on the Voicethread. Clcik the Embed link and copy the embed code to paste in your blog.

Posting from Google Docs

Google Docs allows you to create a document, then post it to Blogger directly from the doc. This would be a good way to have students write posts, share with the teacher. After the editing process, the teacher could post the document.
To publish a Google Doc, click on the Publish tab, publish the document, configure your blog settings (you only have to do this once), then click post to blog. Your document is immediately posted to the blog!

Blog from Your Phone!

Set up this feature in the Settings/Email section of your blog. This would be a perfect way to capture the magic of a class field trip. This can only be done with phones that have email, multimedia messaging services.

The Blogger SideBar

The sidebar feature of Blogger allows a user to easily share content to provide a path for learning for readers. In order to add items to the sidebar, in the editing portion of your blog, click on the Layout tab, and "Add a Page  Element" in the side section.

Favorite Books

Share book recommendations with your readers. Add this code by pasting it into the HTML/Javascript element.

• Share the RSS feed from Google’s My Library.
• Embed code from Library Thing.

Blogs/Feeds to Read

Share recommended news and blog feeds to the sidebar.

• Add a Link List from Page Elements to share favorite websites.
• Add a Feed from Page Elements to display a favorite feed.
  
• Add a Clip or Blogroll from Google Reader to share a collection of recommended feeds.
  If you use Google Reader for your blog and news feeds, you can share your blogroll on Blogger. In Google Reader, click on the settings link in the upper right corner. Click on the Subscriptions tab. Choose one feed, click on the Change folders drop down menu and select new folder. Name your folder. Add all feeds you want in your blogroll by using this drop down menu to select the newly named folder for those feeds. Click on the Tags tab. Make your folder public. You will then be able to click on a link to add to your Blogger blog.
  
  
  
  

Social Bookmarks

In Del.icio.us, click on the settings menu. Under the Blogging heading, click on “link rolls”. Configure your settings and copy the code. Paste into the Page Elements HTML/Java widget for the sidebar.

Embedding SlideShows and other Multimedia

Blogger makes it easy to embed media into the sidebar. Use the SlideShow Page Element.

Google Calendar

In Google Calendar, create an event calendar for your newsletter/blog. In the settings link in the upper right, choose the Calendars tab, and click on the link for the calendar you want to embed. In the Calendar Details tab, under Embed this Calendar, click on the “Customize the color, size, and other options link”. Customize your settings and copy the code. Paste into the Page Element called HTML/Java Code from the Layout Menu.

Extend the Community

Add other elements to your blog.

Google Groups

In a Google group that you manage for your community collaboration, click on Group Settings. In the general tab, click on “Get a Promotion Box” tab. Choose the button that fits your needs, and copy the code.

In your Blogger management window, choose Layout, Add a Page Element (in your sidebar), HTML/Javascript, and paste in the code. Save.

Share your Favorite Blog Posts from Google Reader

As you are reading posts from your Google Reader, click the Share button for those posts you want to share with others. In Google Reader, click the Settings link in the upper right. Choose the Tags tag. View the Public Page for your shared items. Copy the feed and use the Feed page element to share your feed. To extend this community, add members of your community as friends in your Google Reader, so they can instantly see what you are sharing in Reader.