Sidebar+Gadgets

= ** Adding gadgets to the sidebar is a personal preference. I try to add gadgets that serve an educational purpose. ** = = =  ** Here are links to my sidebar gadgets and the reasons why I chose them: ** === 1. The orange **Comment Kitty** is a **[|Voki]**, or animated avatar. Visitors had a difficult time knowing how to comment, so the Voki is a cute way of explaining where the comment link is located. When you click on the triangle, she talks. ===
 * === Join Voki using an email address. Follow the directions and make your avatar. Copy the code from Voki and go to Blogger: Layout>Page Element>Add a Gadget>HTML/JavaScript>name the gadget and paste the code in the content box>save. ===

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=== 2. The RSS feed is a way for readers to join your blog. When someone joins your RSS feed, they are notified whenever a post is published. The RSS is also available for comments. Here is a [|Common Craft] video explaining the RSS Feed. ===
 * === Go to Blogger: Layout>Page Element>Add a Gadget>Feed>type a title like "Want to Subscribe?" and save. ===



=== 3. **Blogs We Follow** is a feature to add to your blog if you would like to link to other blogs. We have a few that we follow. I find that it is better to have a few educational blogs that you read and comment with, rather than a long list. ===
 * === Go to Blogger: Layout>Page Element>Add a Gadget >Link List>type a title, add blog links, and save. ===



=== 4. [|ClustrMaps] is a gadget that keeps track of who is visiting your blog. Every time someone visits, a dot is placed on the map. Repeat visitors make the dot larger. Students love to see where their visitors are from. It is one of many geography gadgets I love. ===
 * === Copy the code from ClustrMap. Go to Blogger: Layout>Page Element>Add a Gadget>HTML/JavaScript>name the gadget and paste the code in the content box>save. ===



=== 5. [|Flag Counter] is another great gadget. Every time a visitor arrives at your blog, their flag is added to the counter. We have use this gadget numerous times with our atlases. It is exciting to find where visitors live. [|Here is a link to a geography lesson] we did using information from our Flag Counter. ===
 * === Copy the code from Flag Counter. Go to Blogger: Layout>Page Element>Add a Gadget>HTML/JavaScript>name the gadget and paste the code in the content box>save. ===