Now that you’ve done some exploring around this website and understand how this program will work, it’s time to set up your very own personal blog to begin recording your thoughts, discoveries, and exercises. For this program, you may use any one of several free online blog hosting services including Blogger, Wordpress, Edublog, or Typepad. Grab yourself a blog in 3 steps:1. Create an account Google asks you for an email address - this becomes your username. Note:->You do not need a Gmail account.->Remember to write down your Username and Password.
2. Name your blog. Remember that the whole web world can see your blog title and blog address. You probably don’t want to use your real name. Consider creating a blog name that’s anonymous, yet uniquely you. The URL for your blog will look like these examples - http://2CoolTools.blogspot.com/ or http://preilly.wordpress.com/ or http://librarianinblack.typepad.com/ (these are real blogs so of course you need to give your own blog its own unique name.) The format is name.blogspot.com when you use blogger.com software. Note: There are no www in the address when using Blogger.com software. Please remember your URL address, bookmark it, or keep a notebook with your URLs, passwords, and special notes. The CSM 2.0 Team recommends: Participants are urged to use a name or "handle" as follows: [FIRST NAME or NICKNAME]CSM2 -- for example, http://LibrarianCSM2.blogspot.com/ or just have fun like http://2coolcsm.blogspot.com/
3. Select your template. Blogger (and other blog services) have several templates - have fun choosing one for you! If you run into problems, check out Blogger's Help file and Tutorial or ask your CSM 2.0 Team. Remember that this is “discovery learning” and that you will have a series of mini problem solving exercises along the way – depending on your level of web 2.0 experience to date. Each time you find a solution, you will rejoice and be that much more tech savvy! Enjoy.
Discovery Exercise:
- Set up a blog for yourself through Blogger. (or Wordpress, Edublog, or Typepad.)
- Play around and add a test post or two.
- You will create a discovery post for each of the ’23 Things.’
Please clearly label each entry in your blog in the following way: WEEK 1, Exercise or Thing #1, subject. Each of your posts should provide insights into what you’ve discovered and learned. Feel free to share what worked for you … and what didn’t … what surprised you … what frustrated you … what amazed you. For example: Your ‘Thing 2’ post will talk about which habit among the 7 and 1/2 lifelong learning habits is easiest and which is hardest for you & why. TIP: This is a good time to "bookmark" your blog for easy access throughout the course. - Create an avatar -- a representation of yourself. Go to http://avatars.yahoo.com/, design an avatar [representing you or a younger version of yourself] with a campus, library, or classroom background. (You will have to set up an account if you don't use Yahoo!) Save your avatar and export to your blog.[HINT: Here's how to export your avatar to your blog. When you are on your Avatars.Yahoo.com page, go to "home" tab and look to the right column. One of the options is: "EXPORT: Use your avatar in web pages and blogs and more." Click there. Then, in the Center of the page, 0ne option is your avatar's HTML code. Copy the code, go to your blog (Sign in. When you first sign in, there is an option to add a post OR manage posts, settings, or layout; Go to "LAYOUT." You will see various page elements.) Paste (Control V) the HTML code in the PAGE ELEMENT marked "HTML/Java Script." Then move that PAGE ELEMENT to wherever you want your avatar to appear on your blog.] Each blog application: blogger, wordpress, edublog, typepad, and so on has a unique method of exporting avatars and other images onto your pages. Be sure to use the ‘help’ menu within your application to work your way through any problems you run into. You can also call on your 2.o friends to help – just ask!These exercises are all about discovery! Have fun … and happy blogging!!IMPORTANT NOTE: How you choose to identity yourself on your blog is up to you. You can blog under a screen name, anonymously, or with your real name.
- Register your blog with the CSM 2.0 Team so they can cheer you on and give you special recognition upon successful completion of this course.
Technorati tags: blogging, Blogger
[Note: Please remember to include Thing# in your heading posts.]
NEXT UP: #4 Register your blog
