Time to set up your Blog

Welcome

Since the semester is under way, it seems appropriate that we get moving on our class. I hope that you have had a chance to read through the materials on webct. Please look carefully at how the class will be run and the way in which you need to progress. Notice that we have firm deadlines and tasks that need to occur. If you have any trouble viewing the materials in webct, please let me know.

I will use this blog space to walk you through the materials and concepts for our class. I will also try to remind you of deadlines and issues to consider. Remember, though, that you must keep up with deadlines and tasks. That's the challenge of a web delivered course!

The first task that you should complete this semester is setting up your personal blog. You should set up a blog by Monday, January 24, midnight. Be sure to give yourself a little time to work in case you have some problems.

What's a blog?

For an excellent definition (and more than you would ever want to know), take a look at the Wikipedia definition of Blog.

Why are we using a blog?

So, great. I get the blog thing. But why should we use one in the class?

A blog will allow us to write short bits, often. Writing small amounts regularly is the best way to improve your writing.

I also would like you to set up and write a blog so that we have a way to think about audience and purpose, two key issues in technical writing. Remember that your blog may be read by anyone, anywhere. So, when you set it up you might think about the purpose and audience. This isn't a personal diary. It is a class blog. What kind of content are you going to put on the blog?

You might also want to think about how much personal information you want to put on the blog. Some of you will choose not use your own name or any personal information. That is fine. Only your classmates will know who you are--the rest of the world doesn't need to know. Others of you won't mind using some personal information. What you don't want to do is expose unprofessional details--nobody wants to know about the impact of last night's party on your body. A good rule of thumb is--what if your parent read the blog? What if your employer read the blog? Think about this as you write.

How do you go about setting up a blog for this class?

I would like you to use the free program Blogger to set up your personal class blog.

If you look at the top right of the page you see a "get your own blog" button. Click it to set up your blog. Follow the directions on how to set up your blog. When you are finished, you will want to post your blog address in webct. Open webct and click on More tools (in the upper right hand corner). Click on Discussions. Look for the My Blog Address category. Post your blog address for assignment credit by midnight, Monday January 24.

Your mini assignment

Now--here's your chance to comment. I would like you to click the comment bar (below, left) and leave a comment that tells me (and your readers) what you know about blogs. Do you read blogs, keep a blog, know anything about blogs? Let us know!