Getting Started

We will not be in school on Wednesday this week.  Do you know why?  This Wednesday we will honor our nation's veterans. When did this day of remembrance begin?  Check out this website for some answers and information.  Please take a look at the way Cape Town Prepare for Veteran's Day.

This week you will start creating your blogs!!  I will take you through the steps of how to set up your blog and you will use this partial blog design rubric to help you after the initial set up.  You will not finish your design in one or two classes.  In fact, you will most likely be making changes on your blog for quite a while.  I will let you know when you need to lock it in.  During our second class this week, you will begin writing your first blog post.  You will be on the steps of the shallow end of the pool wearing "swimmies."  Your first post will be "paper."  Please check out this resource to get you started.  You can also find more resources on the Blogging Resources page of my blog. This will give me the opportunity to give you some written feedback before you share your first post with the world.  We will be pulling all of the pieces together.  I hope you are as excited as I am!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!

Moving Along......

This week will be dedicated to two types of media- podcasts and blogs.  You will start off working on your podcast scripts.  Most of you have started them, but a couple of sections need to have the initial lesson.  I will also be giving you the rubric for this project.  Please be sure to use the "Tips" document as you are writing your scripts.  You may make a copy of the Podcast Script Template to place in your drive or to print and complete (old school.) The video on my January 14th blog post, "Copyright Terms," will show you how to copy a Google doc for your own use.  Remember you will need to be signed in to your Google account to do this.

You will need to complete the form for you ILT section found on the Timeline Collection Form.  I need to take a look at your finished iPad 1:1 timelines and assess them.  You will be given a copy of the rubric for this project.  This is the rubric you and your classmates created.  Please be sure to put your name and ILT# on this rubric.  You will then need to open your project and complete this rubric or "assess" yourself.  I will then take a look at your project and your rubric and give you my feedback and your final grade.  Please take this seriously and look at your work with a critical eye.

Once you have finished creating your script and submitting your Timeline Collection Form, I would like you to read it to a classmate or you could try recording it as a test run in GarageBand.  I need you to listen to your steps to see if your script makes sense and be sure your audience will be able to follow along!! If you choose to make a recording; it will not be your final one; just a trial run.

During the second class this week (ILT 14 & 16- this will be your class #1) I will be at my NISL class.  Mr. Carme will be with you in the lab.  I am "in school" but not "in the lab" on Wednesday and Thursday.  During this class you will be creating and publishing a new post for your homepage or passion page of your blog.  Before you start on this post, I would like you to log in to your Pinterest accounts. (Username is Google email and Password is the usual) and create a new board.  **You may use your iPad or your computer for this part of the lesson.  You should be able to complete this task in 15-20 minutes.  This board will be a place to hang some resources for your podcasting project.  Check out the this video for some help creating your new board.  "How to Create a Pinterest Board video." Once you have found 5 good resources to pin you will get started on your new blog post.  I would recommend using your computer instead of your iPad to create your blog post.  Blogger is not as "user friendly" on the iPad. You need to get this post uploaded by the end of class and I'm afraid you may not have as much success on the iPad.  The choice is your's, but you have a deadline to meet.  Please take out your BPS Blogging and Commenting Guidelines and review them before you start this post.  If you have "forgotten" your folder, there is a copy of these guidelines in the "Workstation Resources" folders by your computer.  I have been noticing many errors in your posts and would like you to take a moment to review my expectations before beginning.  Please be sure to include and image and/or links in your post.  Remember to check for capital "I's" and spelling errors.  Your post should consist of at least 5 solid sentences with variety and a "voice."  Think of a topic that is interesting and exciting.  Be sure to "upload" images; don't just copy and paste them.  There are instructions for this in your "Workstation Resources" folders.  Be sure to include an image link to give credit unless you have taken the picture yourself.  Once you have completed this post, you will need to have a classmate edit your work before publishing.  Please do not rush this post!!  I need to see your growth as a blogger shining through!

If you should finish with this post before the end of class, please either read your blog subscriptions on Feedly or search for a new podcast in your Podcast App on your iPad.

PS  I have added a "search" gadget to my blog.  This should help you find information a bit more easily.  Hope you enjoy it.  You may want to add this to your blog as well!

Getting Started

You will be creating a “paper post” during class this week.  You will create your first post on a Google doc;  so you will be able to edit it and make it as perfect as possible before uploading to your blog.  You will be responding to the following prompt which I found on Melissa Ford's Blog:

“If you had to get locked in some place (book store, amusement park, movie set, recording studio, sports stadium, etc) overnight alone, where would you choose to be locked in?”

Please create a Google doc and title it, “First Blog Post.”  Be sure to put your name and ILT# on the top of this document.   Then you will respond to the above prompt on this doc.  As you are working on this post, be sure to share your reasons for why you would choose this place.  Also describe what you would do during the night in this place.  It would great if you could use a hyperlink in your post.   Maybe you could put a link to the place (ie Six Flags) or a similar site.  It would be great if you could find an image to include in your post.  Be sure to cite this image properly.  If you need help with any of this, just ask.  Once you have finished your “post” you will need to check it with your BPS Blogging Guidelines. I will let you know when to print this doc.  You will be sharing this "paper post" with me and your classmates during class next week when we practice "commenting" using post it notes.  This is one of my favorite classes. 

Once you have finished your "paper post" you will be creating an “About Me” for your blog.  Please create a second Google doc and title it, “About Me.”  Read a couple of the sample “About Me’s” below before creating your own.  
Please check out the helpful hints for this assignment.

Sample “About Me’s”:

All About Me Samples- slide share of very unique “About Me’s”

Abi’s Blog

Jarrod’s Blog

Lakin’s Blog (this is a blog created using Google Blogger-what you will be using)

Reminder:  Be sure to check this doc for spelling and grammar. Then be sure you have "shared" it with me by dragging it in to your ILT folder.  I hope you have a lot of fun with this activity!!  You are getting very close to giving back to the web and sharing your thoughts and ideas with an enormous audience.  I am very excited for all of you!