blog design

image source

You are going to be a blogger! So exciting, right?! Maybe you already have a blog, but do create a new one to use specifically as part of this class. Here's how:

1. Create a Gmail account separate from your Lewis gmail account (you are able to create more than one Gmail account). Go to Gmail.com, and sign up for a new one. Be sure to write down your new username and password. Please choose a username that is appropriate for a university course and one that is as close to your actual name as is possible.
2. To create your blog, you may do one of two things. You may choose from your apps (the icon looks like like a small grid @ the upper right of your Gmail page). Scroll until you see the icon for "Blogger," and choose it. You may go straight to Blogger.com to start.
3. Choose "create a blog," and 
4. Follow the tutorial. 
5. You can make all sorts of interesting design choices by selecting "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). 
6. Choose "Customize" to see all options. 
7. Choose wisely, and remember that good design depends upon *readability* ... a good amount of "white space" (clear space for legible text). Try to avoid the temptation to overcrowd your blog with images (though do choose one/some, something that reflects your disposition to the class, to writing). Also, choose fonts and colors carefully and in ways that will help your readers read your posts clearly. And provide captions for your images (creating hyperlink to source pages), or a "Works Cited" at the bottom of your posts.
8. Finally, send your blog's URL (web address in the topmost address bar) to kyburzbl@lewisu.edu. Your blog's URL is not the same as your Google account's profile address. Set up your blog, maybe publish a test post, and hit "publish." Then, copy the web address (URL) and send to me. I will then add you to the blogroll. Voilà!

Now, how to locate your Blogger Blog's URL (web address):

1. Go to your Blogger Blog.
2. Go to "Dashboard."
3. Go to "Settings."
4. Go to "Publishing." There, you should find your blog's URL. If you have not specified one (if the field that says "Blogspot address" is blank), go ahead and give your blog a name. Choose wisely so that you emit a sense of self that seems appropriate for this course blog. That is, if you call it, "I Don't Want to Blog But My Dumb Teacher is Making Me Do This," ... well, ... that's ... do I need to say it? (hint: begins with "D").

Here, I share some blogging moves you will need to make :

1. Post thoughtful entries that reflect upon the work we are doing in class. For example,
2. Challenges you've encountered (overcome?!) with an assignment,
3. Questions about course content. Say, a discussion about a text we are exploring that begins by expressing points of interest, challenges to understanding, remaining questions that class discussion did not address.
4. Interesting findings from your viewing of the Documentary Project doc you screen (coming soon!). Perhaps you'd like to focus on 1 of the 6 questions listed in that assignment prompt, or maybe you'll generally update the class on the nature of the film (kinda like a review).
5. Technical questions.  Maybe you are facing obstacles regarding design choices for your blog. Perhaps you'd like to ask for feedback on the layout? colors? fonts? Check for readability? Maybe your title is questionable -- too snarky? too serious? Get some feedback!
6. Give feedback. Maybe you could set up a specific group of bloggers to form a supportive feedback circle. Or, you could choose randomly each week -- pic a blog and give thoughtful, detailed comments.
7. Post an image or video that has your curiosity. Write reflectively about the image/video -- what is it that is intriguing? problematic? pleasurable? funny? odd? 
8. Provide links to the original sources, and use this as practice for MLA formatting -- look it up at the Purdue OWL -- under "References," @ left -- and get some practice finding and citing different kinds of sources.

For your first blog post, 

1. You need to be sure to have your Blogger Blog set up, your URL sent to me, and 
2. You need to follow up by checking the Blogroll to see that you are listed (if not, contact me a.s.a.p.). 
3. Choose 2 of the 8 listed activities, listed directly above this list, and get to it!