{"id":19,"date":"2024-03-18T13:57:42","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T18:57:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/theedublogger.edublogs.org\/2008\/01\/19\/getting-more-out-of-widgets\/"},"modified":"2024-06-05T18:32:52","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T23:32:52","slug":"getting-more-out-of-widgets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theedublogger.com\/getting-more-out-of-widgets\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting More Out of Widgets!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Wow – thanks everyone. Your response, support and feedback has been incredible! There are some really great topic areas to get us started. The Edublogger is about community, and helping each other. Perhaps you have already covered some topics in your own posts<\/strong>? Or you would like to cover a topic(s) in your own post(s)<\/strong>? Let us know by posting the link in the comments below, and we will let the community know!\"examples<\/a><\/p>\n

Many readers express interest in widgets, so we have decided this is a good place to start!<\/p>\n

What are Widgets?<\/h3>\n

Web terminology makes it so much harder when people are starting their online journey; suddenly you’re being bombarded with all these foreign terms, and widgets are a classic example! In simple terms, widgets are mini web applications <\/strong>that you can put onto your website; e.g. the Clustrmap<\/a> on the side bar is a widget.<\/p>\n

How To Embed A Widget<\/h3>\n

People use widgets to add extra features<\/strong> to their website. But be warned! Choose widgets for your blog wisely because they can clutter your side menu<\/strong> which will distract your readers. My list of “must have widgets”<\/strong> on a blog include:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Search <\/strong>– so readers can easily search your blog<\/li>\n
  2. Email subscription<\/strong> – for readers who prefer to be notified of new posts by email<\/li>\n
  3. RSS feed <\/strong>– not all feed readers are able to detect the RSS feed from the site URL; this is why I add a Feed burner feed to my sites to make it easier for readers to subscribe<\/li>\n
  4. Categories and Tag Cloud<\/strong> – to make it easier for readers to locate posts on your blog. We will be writing a post soon to explain the difference between categories and tag clouds; and why\/how each is used<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    I also like to add a widget that links to information on how to be notified of new posts<\/a>; to make it easier for new people to understand how to subscribe to blogs.<\/p>\n

    Could I Mess up My blog Embedding Widgets?<\/h3>\n

    Don’t worry! Widgets won’t break your blog. Any widgets you add can easily be removed<\/strong>, and won’t effect existing widgets in your side bar<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    To try out widget, go to Appearance > Widgets, click the [+] sign in the widget area \/ sidebar where you want to add a widget. Search for the one you want in the sidebar and click to add it. Then click Update and view your site.<\/p>\n

    \"Add<\/p>\n

    To remove a widget, click on it and, under the ellipsis icon at top-right, click the Delete option. Then click Update to save your changes.<\/p>\n

    \"Delete<\/p>\n

    What Widgets Should I Add To My Blog?<\/h3>\n

    Widgets are PERSONAL. We all have our favourites<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Many educators like to add Clustrmaps<\/a>, especially those with younger students, because the students loving seeing the red dots grow as their readers from around the world visit their site.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Other common widgets bloggers use include:<\/p>\n