Widgets and Plugins

What Widgets and Plugins did you choose?

I chose 6 plugins and widgets in total this includes, a Blog Search Bar and Google Search Bar, a Calendar that shows when I posted, a tag cloud, a Recent Posts widget, and finally a subscribe by email option.

What are there strengths?

I believe with all these widgets and plugins it will overall make access to my blog and different posts easier. There are multiple strengths of these widgets and plugins which include the ability to find certain posts by using the search bar and for teachers it’s easier to find specific tags using the tag cloud and the recent posts. As we as, with the subscribe by email, it is completely optional allowing for people, teachers, and students to receive email updates on when I post, and if anything they can always unsubscribe at anytime, which is a great tool!

What are there weaknesses?

Some weaknesses included how the calendar is only for viewing specific days I posted on the blog, the day is just a different colour to be able to differentiate. As well as, another weakness could be the search bars because they require exact wording and spelling to be able to work. The tag cloud also contains all the tags at various sizes meaning some are harder to see than others which is optimal. However, I believe that there are more strengths because every program can have minor flaws, but it’s still great that we are able to use them daily and effectively.

Can these programs be used in a classroom setting to enhance student learning? Would you use it and/or recommend it?

I would definitely recommend these widgets and plugins because first of all, they showcase that you care about your blog and are showing you put time and effort into your blog. As well as, these can help find specific blog posts to help enhance the learning of students, with finding the blog posts, you can read them, and then learn from them. The subscription option is also very unique and cool because teachers can subscribe see the work that you’ve done with them always needing to receive an emily from you, for example. As well, the since it’s optional, spam free, and you’re able to unsubscribe at any time, there isn’t a downfall to it whatsoever. I would use these plugins and widgets on another blog if i had one also, since they are very useful for others to explore and for you to show your work as well.