Blogs

Lesson 1 – Blogs

Today we will explore and set up your blog. If you have questions please ask.

1.     What is a blog?

a.     Go to this web page and answer these questions: http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

                                               i.     What is a blog?

                                              ii.     What is a post?

                                            iii.     What is the purpose of comments?

                                            iv.     What’s an RSS feed?

                                              v.     What’s an advantage of a blog over other types of discussion?

b.     Write your answers on a sheet of paper, you will use this later.

2.     Create your own account for blogs

a.     Go to this page https://accounts.google.com/NewAccount and if you do not have a Google account click on “Sign up” in the upper right hand corner. If you do have an account then log in.

b.     Follow the instructions to “Create a new Google Account.” Or go to this video if you need more help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPJyITyWM4g&feature=related

c.      Don’t forget your password! Write it down if you need to.

d.     Once you have set up an account it will take you to your email inbox.  You can come back to this later.

e.     For now go to the black bar at the top and click on “More.” There will be a drop down menu and on that menu click on “Blogger.”

3.     Edit your profile

a.     In the upper right hand corner click on the tiny arrow next to your name. A box will come up and click on “Blogger profile.”

b.     In the upper right hand corner of the next click on “Edit Profile.”

c.      Add as much information you want to here. But you will need to add a photo and some of the “Extended Info.”

d.     When you are done editing, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Save Profile.”

e.     Then click on “Blogger” on the upper right hand corner, and that will bring you back to your homepage.

4.     Create a blog

a.     On the left hand side, click on the “New Blog” button.

b.     Add the title “Your name’s ESL 08C: CALL Self-Study.”              

       Example: Ms. Reinhardt’s ESL 08C: CALL Self-Study.

c.      Create your very own web address for your blog. You can use your title without the punctuation. It will not work with punctuation.                                                                                                              

       Example: MsReinhardtsESL08CCALLSelfStudy.

d.     Next choose a template.

e.     At the bottom. Click on the “Create Blog!” button.

f.      You should see your new blog.

5.     Answers to: What is a blog?

a.     Click on the orange pencil next to your blog name to create a new post.

b.     At the very top under “Post,” title this post: What is a blog?

c.      Answer all the questions you wrote down in the first part of this lesson in full sentences.

d.     Add question vi which is: What ways can using a blog help you to learn English? Are there other ways you would like to use a blog?

e.     When you are done, click on the button at the top called “Publish.”

f.      You have now published your first blog post!

6.     Post: What do I want to learn in this class?

a.     Create another post with the title: Personal Learning Goals?

b.     It’s important to create manageable goals that you can achieve. Go to this website and read about how to create good, solid goals. http://managingwholes.com/good-goals.htm

c.      Once you have some thoughtful goals then publish your post.

7.     Homework

a.     Finish this assignment.

b.     Email me the link to your blog and to let me know when you have posted both. What is a blog and Personal Learning Goals at: sreinhardt@dwci.edu