Learning 2.0 Assignment 1: Blogs

This week we’re focusing on blogs. This post will give you a brief overview of the technology and explain the activities for the week. This assignment is due on Monday, September 22.

Read the Wikipedia article on blogs and watch the Blogs in Plain English video.

Ready to start blogging? Your first Learning 2.0 assignment is to set up your own blog and add your first post.

Create your blog:

1. Go to Blogger.com. We’re using Blogger but other free blog services include: LiveJournal, WordPress.com, and Vox.
2. Click on the orange arrow that says, “Create Your Blog Now.” Follow the 3 steps.
3. You will need a Google account. Follow the directions to set up a Google account if you do not have one. You can use any e-mail address – you don’t have to have a Gmail address. Your e-mail becomes your Username. Your Display Name is how your posts are signed – you can use your real name, initials, or a nickname.
4. Create a password for your account.
   

Customize your blog:

1. Give your blog a title. Your title is the name that will appear on the banner at the top of your blog and it will be part of the URL.
2. Be sure that you have enabled comments. Your professor will comment on your posts.
• Under the Settings tab, click the Comments link. We recommend the second choice under Who Can Comment? Registered Users.
• Click Save Settings once you are done.
3. Choose a template for your blog.
   

Post on your blog:

1. Write an introductory post reflecting on your experience with creating a blog. Please clearly label this and future blog postings with the assignment number. Each of your posts should provide insights into what you’ve discovered and learned or any questions or thoughts you have on the activities you completed.
2. Post the URL and name of your blog in the Discussion area of D2L.
   

Need help getting your blog created?

• Watch the MINITEX Blog Tutorial
• Look at slides 10-31 of this tutorial
• E-mail your professor: Melissa Prescott or Robin Ewing