Welcome Bloggers!
This welcome message wants to help you create and design your blog as a space that makes you to want to write, for yourself and your readers. Be creative and audience-facing even as you explore and engage your creativity! I know. It's a lot to balance. That's writing. Welcome.
Blogging Essentials
1.) You are required to write and post weekly.
2.) Posts should clearly relate to course content.
3.) Write at least 3 well-developed paragraphs.
4.) Include a relevant image. Feel free to use images you have captured. If you use images from an open internet search, please create a caption with the word, "image" beneath it in a very small font and light color shade. Highlight the word "image" and select the "link" icon, and paste the URL into the link field, and select "open link in a new window."
5.) The link icon looks like this:
6.) You will be using this link option often as you write and share content from the internet in your own posts.
Blog Creation Instructions
1.) Go to Gmail.com, and sign up for a new gmail account. Write down your new username and password. Choose an appropriate username for a university course and one that is close to your real name.2.) To create your blog, choose from your apps by clicking the icon that looks like a small grid at the upper right of your Gmail page. Scroll until you see the icon for Blogger, and choose it.
3.) Choose "create a blog."
5.) Design simply. Choose a reasonably simple template (love SIMPLE!).
6.) Select the Theme and Customize buttons to make design choices.
7.) If you ever want to change your design, select Design from the upper right of the main blog page. Or, you can begin designing by using the menus you will see at your My Blogs page (clicking the Blogger icon will take you directly there).
8.) Choose Theme, and Customize to see all options. Remember to apply to blog after you decide upon the choices that you like. The apply button now takes the form of a tiny floppy disk icon in the lower right of the page.
Choose wisely. Good design depends upon readability, which includes:
✪ "Openness." Avoid overcrowding the page.
✪ Include images strategically. Choose images to reflect your disposition to the class, to writing, or to a vibe you're reflecting upon in a post.
✪ Choose fonts and colors carefully for readability.
✪ Avoid Dark Themes, especially those with dark main body fields. Readers are familiar with dark text on a white field, and since you are writing to be read, please choose this standard orientation.
IMPORTANT: Input your new Gmail address and your blog's URL (web address in the address bar) at this Google Doc (section 7) or this Google doc (section 8). This will make your info available to the class, so each of you will be able to add the email addresses of your peers to your blogs, creating a private readership (if you desire).
I will add your blog to the blogroll based upon the info at the list, and they will roll out over the next few days. Voilá!
How to locate your Blogger Blog's URL
✪ Go to your Blogger Blog
✪ Go to Dashboard
✪ Go to Settings
✪ Go to Publishing. There, you should see your blog's URL. If the field that says "Blogspot address" is blank, type in your chosen blog's name. Choose wisely to radiate a sense of self that seems appropriate for this course blog
✪ Start blogging! I suggest starting with reflective writing about a picture you like that's currently topmost in your files. Post it and write about what it means to you. Be sure to respond to 2-3 peers' posts
✪ You may write and save a draft, so you needn't publish each time you write. Revision is wonderful.
✪ Happy blogging!
Note: I will be adding content and resources over the coming days and throughout the semester. This blog is accessible via the internet. I also link it through Canvas.
