Let's Blog!!

Today you will all become part of what has become known as the blogosphere, a modern day adaptation of the public square.  In a tradition that has it's roots in early American society, the public comes together to explore the interesting and provocative ideas of the day.  In 2013, that universe has expanded to allow anyone's ideas to be put into the marketplace for the world to see or hear.  Today, you will set up your blog that will allow you to do just that.

What is a blog?

What does a blog look like?

·        Time’s best blogs of 2012

·         http://www.bestblogs.org/

·         http://blogs.botw.org/

·         http://blogsearch.google.com/

·         http://www.blogged.com/directory

Let’s make a blog! (Note-first step will to be to create a google account using your school email address).

·         https://www.blogger.com/start

Some things to consider-

• Choosing a design
• Including gadgets
• Warnings before going too far
  • Audience
  • Privacy - no full names, personal information
  • Expectations - tone, respect, acceptable topics

Blogging

• Writing posts
• Commenting on posts
• Incorporating images, video, links

Need help?     

·         http://www.google.com/support/blogger/

So, here are your ultimate tasks for today (and the weekend if you don't finish in class):

1.  Create a blog!
2.  Think of a catchy title.  Make sure you add a description of what you want your blog to be or to express.
3.  E-mail Mr. Kramer with the name of your blog and its URL address.  He will create a link to it on the class blog.
4. Write your first post.  The first can be about virtually anything-current events, a good movie you’ve seen recently, the first day of school, etc.  Spend some time with this.  It will be the first time for your followers to get to know you and your ideas thus you want them to have a good sense of your voice.
5. Comment on someone else's post.