Let's Blog

Today you will all become part of what has become known as the blogosphere, a modern day adaptation of the public square.  In a tradition that has it's roots in early American society, the public comes together to explore the interesting and provocative ideas of the day.  In 2014, that universe has expanded to allow anyone's ideas to be put into the marketplace for the world to see or hear.  Today, you will set up your blog that will allow you to do just that.  Our blogs will have a variety of different uses over the course of the year, allowing us to explore United States History and to continue to delve deeper into the question of what it means to be an American?

So, let’s make a blog! (Note-make sure that you are signed in with your school gmail account).  We are going to use Google's Blogger platform to create our blogs.  Find it in your Google Apps or you can click here.  Note-it may ask you to create a Google+ profile which you may (although this takes longer) or you can continue with a limited blogger profile (I would start here and then upgrade to Google+ later) Then:

1. Click the button to create a new blog. 
2. Decide on a catchy title for your blog.
3. Identify an available URL for your blog.
4. Choose a template to begin (don't worry, you can customize this later)
5. Then click "Create Blog" 

Some things to consider as you begin to blog

• Choosing a design-many different templates and ways to customize  Click on the Template link on the left side to choose.
• The layout tab allows you to change the layout of your blog and add gadgets-gadgets allow  you to post links, add pages, have newsfeeds, etc.
• Click on the settings tab and then language and formatting to change to Central Time Zone.
• Warnings before going too far
  • Audience
  • Privacy - no full names, personal information
  • Expectations - tone, respect, acceptable topic

Blogging-so now that your blog has been created, you are ready to post.  You can create a new post from your blogger dashboard or from your blog itself (as long as you are signed in).  Remember, anyone can see and comment on your post so consider your audience.  You can also incorporate images, videos, and links in your posts.  As we continue to blog this year, I will show you how to do this.

Need help?     

·         http://www.google.com/support/blogger/

So, here are your ultimate tasks for today (and the weekend if you don't finish in class):

1.  Create a blog!
2.  Think of a catchy title.  Make sure you add a description of what you want your blog to be or to express.
3.  E-mail Mr. Kramer with the name of your blog and its URL address.  He will create a link to it on the class blog.
4. Write an initial post that introduces yourself and your ideas to your readers.  Your post should introduce the class that you are blogging for and explore some of your initial ideas about what it means to be an American?  Good first posts will incorporate and reflect on ideas from the sources and materials we've used in class during our first few days (especially Crevecouer and Stegner that you read for today). Spend some time with this.  It will be the first time for your followers to get to know you and your ideas thus you want them to have a good sense of your voice.
5. As the blogs get linked to the class blog, explore what others have said and posted on their blogs.  Post a comment to someone else's post.