Gmail and Web Blog

Part I: Gmail Account Sign-up

Throughout this course, you may be asked to use web tools such as Google Docs, Googlesite, and Blogger.  In order to use these tools, you will need to sign up for your personal Gmail account.  For those of you, who have already had a Gmail account, please make sure that your Gmail account can be easily and professionally identified as yourself. To obtain a Gmail account, go to http://www.gmail.com . The video instruction on "How to create a Gmail account" is provided below.  

Part II: Personal Blog

Using a blog is one of the easiest ways to publish on the web. People use blogs to share their ideas and reflections on a vast array of topics. As a collaborative space, they provide an outlet for expression and a mechanism for visitors to easily post their comments. Teachers also use classroom blogs to share with parents and other stakeholders what is happening in their classrooms. Students can be engaged with a blog as a platform for developing their writing skills and an outlet for expression. Publishing a classroom blog provides learners with a real audience for their work, and that can be very motivating. To learn more about blogging, take this quick tour.

How to create a blog

Assignment

You will create your own blog using Blogger. To get started, watch this video tutorial. You'll need to sign-in with your Google account  you have previously created.  Name your own blog according to your preference.  Be professional in the way you name your blog!  You will be using this blog throughout the course.

The first post you requires that you write 3 to 4 paragraphs to introduce yourself and post it along with a recent photo of yourself in your blog.  Be sure to answer the folowing questions:

  • What is your name and your major of studies?
  • Why do you want to be a teacher?
  • What is your experience/comfort level with technology?
  • Have you ever taken any on-line courses? What course? When? and What do you like most and least about it/them?
  • If this course  had been offered as an on-line, would you have taken it in stead of the current a face-2-face offering? Why? or Why not?
  • Last, but not least, what is one interesting fact about yourself?

Submission (Due: The End of First Week)

Once you created a blog and finished your introduction (2-3 paragraphs), you MUST submit your blog homepage or URL (It is usually in http://<<yourblogname>>.blogspot.com) format to the "Student Spaces" under Discussions tab in D2L

Individual Reflection Journal Requirements

IMPORTANT!! You are required to use your "Personal Blog" to:

  • Post your weekly reflection journal
  • Publish at least four posts on topics related to the course contents and/or textbook (beyond simply recounting the activities in this class). See links under the related resources below for additional inspiration.
  • Each post must be at least 75 words (that’s about 7 sentences)
  • Each post must include at least one hyperlink to a related web site.
  • Each post must include an image (embedded in the post, not just a hyperlink)
  • At least one post must include a video (again, embedded in the post, not just a hyperlink)
  • You may certainly go beyond these minimum requirements! Actually, it is my hope that you do!

Related Resources

If you need inspiration for your blog posts, explore some of the links below: