Blogging Exercise - Setup a WordPress Blog
Session Overview
What is a blog?
A
blog is a web publishing platform that allows users to post Web content
by using a simple, online form. The posts are listed in reverse
chronological order, although many blogs give bloggers the ability to
add categories or tags to posts, allowing readers to find posts related
to a particular topic. Other blogging functionalities includes a simple
form that allows readers to comment on a post (this can be turned off),
archiving of older posts, and trackbacks, which allow bloggers to see
when another blog has linked to a particular post.
Why would a library want to blog?
First of all - don’t create a blog just because you want a blog. A
blog will not be successful if it does not have a purpose with content
that patrons and students will find useful.
Having said that, there are several reasons why your library may want to use a blog:
- It’s an easy way to update content and on your Web site.
- It gives patrons and students an opportunity to interact with your Web site. Members of a book club can post their comments to
your blog. Users can give you feedback on library services.
- Team blogs, where multiple users are allowed to post, are an easy way to collaborate on projects or share ideas.
- You can highlight new services and resources.
What do I need to create a blog?
To
create a blog, you need a good purpose for the blog that will interest
your users, some writing ability, a commitment to post on a regular
basis, and a computer with Internet access. A Web server expands your
options for the type of blogging software you will use, but it is not
required. There are many online blogging services that will host your
blog for you. Here are some options you can explore:
My library does not have a Web server and needs to use an online blogging service.
- Blogger - http://www.blogger.com - Owned by Google, this is a very popular blogging service. Blogger is free.
- EduBlogs - http://edublogs.org/ - This site was specifically built for educators using WordPress blogging software. EduBlog is free.
- TypePad - http://www.typepad.com -
If you like Movable Type blogging software, but do not have a server,
you can use this hosted service. There is a fee for this service.
- Vox - http://www.vox.com
- Vox is a free, personal blogging service that also has areas for
bloggers to share photos and books. Vox's privacy settings are very
granular and may be appealing to those in a K-12 setting where privacy
may be an issue. Individual posts can be set so that the whole world
can see them, only friends can see them, or only family see them. Think
of making teachers your "family" and students your "friends," and
you'll have on blog where you can share information with both audiences.
- WordPress - http://www.wordpress.com -
Using the popular open-source software WordPress, this site provides a
free hosting service with small fees for upgraded service. We will be
using this software today.
My library has a Web server and can install its own blogging software.
Let's Start Blogging
- An
introduction for your peers in this class. One of the things we find in
face-to-face classes at SEMLS is that classmates learn almost as much
from talking to each other as they do from the instructor. This is your
opportunity to get to know your classmates in an online environment.
- Share either a positive or negative experience you have had with the Internet.
- During
the duration of this class, try to post at least once a week to the
blog. You can post about your experience participating in this class,
about a recent technology-related news item that caught your attention,
or about any other topic that interests you. This is your publishing
space, and you can use it for whatever catches your fancy. Part of
learning about Web 2.0 is transitioning from a consumer of Web content
to a producer of it. Posting to this blog will get you into the
practice of doing this.
- Please submit the URL of your blog to me by Wednesday.
Uploading ....