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Spring 2005 - Special Technology Workshop Series

Blogs and Bulletin Boards: Discussion and Evaluation Online

Thursday, October 20 , 11:00 - 12:30
Hellems 152 (ALTEC)

Instructions for creating a blog:

Go to www.blogger.com.

There is an arrow on the right that says, "Create your blog now."

Click the arrow.   The next screen asks for a user name, etc.  Think up and enter a user name.  If you want it can be the same as the first part of your email address (assuming no one else has that user name).  Then enter and re-enter a password. Then enter a display name, which is your name as it will appear when you post or comment (so perhaps whatever title you prefer your students to call you by).  Then enter your email address.

Finally, check the Terms of Service box and hit the "continue" button.  The next page first asks for a blog title.  This is simply the title identifying the blog. Then, you need to choose a URL or web address.  Perhaps the course number is a good choice here.  The address for the blog will be http://?????.blogspot.com, where whatever you enter takes the place of the question marks.  Finally, enter the letters in the picture (which is to verify that you're not a computer), and hit continue. 

The final screen asks you to select a template. Just choose one of the options that you think looks good.  Hit the final arrow and you're set up.

Here's how to set up a group (as Google calls it):

  1. Go to http://groups.google.com
  2. In the middle of the page on the right is a link saying "Create new groups."  Click this link.
  3. If you do not already have an email account with Google, then click the "Sign up now" link.
  4. Fill out the information (current email, password, etc.) and click the "Create..." button.
  5. Google now sends you an email to the account you entered. Check your email and follow the link they sent you. Google has now verified your email. Follow the "Click here to continue" link.
  6. Now we can create the group. Enter a group name (something describing your class), a group email address, a short description, don't check the adult content box, and finally choose the restricted option for access level.  Note that just below the email address is the URL for the group. Click the button at the bottom.
  7. The second step is the add members. This step will require the email address of everyone in the class. (NB: This set step can be saved until later, as in once classes have begun and you have students’ email addresses.  You can leave this box blank for now).  Choose the "Add" option, not "Invite": this saves the students a step.  Choose the "No Email" option: this keeps inboxes from overflowing and they have to check the group anyway. Finally, compose a short welcome message explaining what the group is.  (Google then emails everyone with your message and a link to create an account with Google and the groups permanent URL.)
  8. The group has now been created and members added to it.  To create the first topic (or thread), follow the "Start the first topic" link. Write a message (something to start the discussion, such as a question on the material or asking them at the beginning what they think of doing a class like this) just like you would an email, and click the "post message" button.
  9. The group is now up and running.