Blogging Instructions

Commenting on the Web 2.0 for ESP blog:

This week we want you to post your questions and comments on the blog(http://evo08web2foresp.blogspot.com/). To do that, you will need to follow the steps below. I fyou are a blogger, this will be easy. If you are not, let us know if you have problems.

General Information:

Blogging is not a live, synchronous event. It is asynchronous, just like email. The difference is that the “threads” or topics of discussion are connected. This is great for following ideas and comments on those ideas for online courses and as supplements to face-to-face classes.

If you have ever used a discussion forum in a course, blogging is very similar to that. A discussion forum is a main posting with comments, using on a particular question if you are using the forum for classroom activities. I will post an example on the blog this week.

Steps for Posting:

1. Create a google or gmail account (or sign in using your google or gmail account if you already have one. You can sign in with your google or gmail user name or the full address. For example, my gmail user name is dleetn, or I can sign in with the full gmail address of dleetn@gmail.com. The password is the same for your google/gmail account.

2. To create a google account (no new email account, but access to google applications and this is a very good thing). Go to https://www.google.com/accounts/ManageAccount and click on “create an account now” under the sign in box on the right. This works just like setting up a new email account. You will need a user name and password that you create.

3. If you want a gmail account, go to http://gmail.com and click on Sign Up for Gmail under the sign in box on the right. Again, just follow the instructions. You will need a user name and password.

4. Once you have a google or gmail account, you can comment on any of the posts on the blog at http://evo08web2foresp.blogspot.com/ . To comment, scroll to the end of the entry you want to comment on, and click on 0, comments. The number will change depending upon how many people have already commented.

5. A new screen will open and you will type in your comments in the box on the right. You will need to prove to Blogger that you are a human by typing the secret code in the box. Below that sign in using your google or gmail account. Then you can preview before you post or publish directly to the blog site using the Preview and Publish Comment buttons.

We look forward to your comments.

Creating Your Own Blog

Instructions for Blogger

Creating a blog is easy.I had to create one for a class last semester and if you take a look at it, you will see that you don't need to do much or even add much content for an initial blog. You can always go back if you want to and add more content later if you decide you like blogging.

Sample Blog (with little content created for a class)

http://onlinelearning101.blogspot.com/.

Here is what you do:

1. Go to https://www.blogger.com/start
2. Click on “Create Your Blog Now”.
3. If you already have a google or gmail account, sign in on the page that opens with that account name (if it is the one you want to use for your blog). You can always create a new google or gmail account for your blog if you prefer.
4. Once you sign in (or create) a google or gmail account, you will be asked for the “Display Name” for your account. This is just how you will appear when logged into the blog.
5. You also need to click the box to accept the terms and conditions.
6. On the next screen, you will need a title for the blog. (i.e., ESP for Law, Debby's Travel Diary)
7. Then you will need a blog address. Have some backup names ready because your blog address may already be taken. Click on check availability to see.
8. On the next screen you will be asked to choose a template. Don't worry about this too much. You can change templates later if you want to.
9. Click on the template you want. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Continue.”
10. Now you can start posting. Your blog is ready for your first posting.