Thing #4: Blogging

Blog is short for web log. A blog is an easily updatable web page that displays entries in chronological order (like this one). If you ever kept a diary or a journal, you are familiar with the basic concept. Take that diary one step further – put it on the web for people to read – and you have a blog. Everyday people create a blog so they can share their everyday events, both ordinary and extraordinary, with the World Wide Web. Each new blog entry is called a “post”.

Blogs have a few of other features which make them a powerful way of distributing new content. You can include text, images, and links in your posts. RSS feeds (from Thing #2) allow readers to subscribe to the blog and automatically receive updates. Each post can be commented on by those who read it, allowing for feedback and further discussion.

This CommonCraft video explains Blogs in Plain English.  (Note: this links to Sharepoint and is only accessible in the library.)

Read this brief article fom Webjunction "Blogs for Libraries:  What are blogs and why should librarians care about them?"

Blogs are created using blogging websites like Blogger, Wordpress, Typepad, and LiveJournal.

Thing #4 Activity: Create a Blog

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Go to blogger.com and sign in at the top right-hand corner with your Google Account username and password from Thing #1.

2. Follow the on-screen instructions to create your own blog in these steps:

• Sign up for Blogger
• Enter a “Display Name” for your blog. This is the name used to sign your blog posts. It can be your full name, initials, or a nickname.
• Click the checkbox for “I accept the Terms of Service”.
• Click Continue.
• Name your blog
• Enter a “Blog title” for your blog.
• Enter a ”Blog address”, or “URL”. Click “Check Availability”.
• If your address is Not Available, try a variation of your blog title.
• Important: Make of a note of your blog title and your blog address. You will need them later!  For example:  My blog title is "Susan Studies 23 Things" and my blog address is http://susanstudies23things.blogspot.com.
• Click Continue.
• Choose a starter template
• Select a design. Note: This design can be changed later.
• Click Continue.

3. Once your blog is created, click Start Blogging.

4. Enter your first post. Call it “Thing #4” and tell a little about yourself. Remember, others can see your blog. Only reveal what information you are comfortable sharing with everyone!

5. Click Publish Post.

6. View Your Post.  If you can see your post, you have just completed the activity for Thing #4!

7. Click Sign Out in the Upper Right Corner.

In Thing #5, you will record your completion of Thing #4.

Optional Additional Resources:

To learn more about Blogger: Take a tour or get help.

To learn more about writing your blog, read What makes a good blogpost? by Steve Wheeler

To search blog contents, use a blog search engine like Technorati, or BlogScope.