HOW TO BUILD A BLOG
(or website)
1. Look at other blogs to get an idea about
what you want in your own blog
·
What do you like?
·
What do you not like?
·
What designs appeal to you?
·
What kind of content presentation is most
engaging and useful?
2. Consider the goals of your blog (these
can be changed at any time)
·
Is this directed to friend, other teachers,
students, or potential employers?
·
Will you use this to communicate information,
expand your lessons from the classroom, or build an informational
resource? All? More?
·
How will you manage posts by others? Open?
Managed? Members only?
·
Will the blog be public or private?
3. Decide if you want a stand-alone blog or a
blog imbedded within a website
·
Website may be easier to navigate & some
email providers offer free sites with your web service package (check if you
have cable internet access or who you pay for your web access through)
·
Free blogging hosts easily available and easily
set up
4. Find a Provider (website that helps
people setup and build websites and blogs)
·
Blogger.com (affiliated with Google)
·
http://websitesetupguide.com/
·
http://www.livejournal.com/
·
http://www.braveapps.com/journal/
·
Check your school system for technologies they
offer
·
Again, check your service provider if you want
to do this with a full website
5. Name your Blog
6. Select a Template
·
Your provider should have a selection of
ready-made designs available to make your blog look attractive and engaging
·
Select a template that represents both your
personality and what you want the readers to think about your content
7. Choose your Settings
·
This is where you will determine privacy
settings and availability of your Blog for posting by other members,
non-members and posting moderation
8. Select additional Features
·
Do you have a list of websites to share?
·
Documents to post for availability?
·
Lots of freebie and pay-for blog applications
available if you’re interested
9. Test it out!
·
Write a few posts, share the web address, ask
for people to become ‘followers’ of your blog and post comments.
·
If your audience is your students then this
should be a homework assignment or in-class computer lab activity.
