Let's Blog!

Today you will all become part of what has become known as the blogosphere, a modern day adaptation of the public square where intense debates about the issues of the day happen.  In a tradition that has its roots in early American society, the public comes together to explore interesting and provocative ideas.  In 2019, that universe has expanded to allow anyone's ideas to be put into the marketplace for the world to see or hear.  Even more so than in the past, bloggers have become "influencers"- able to set agendas, terms of debate and policy. 
Today, you will set up a blog that will hopefully allow you to do just that.

What does a blog look like?  Explore the following sites to search for blogs and get a sense for what they look like and what issues and topics they cover.  As you'll see, they can be about almost anything. 

• Top 15 most popular blogs August 2019
• Best of the Web Blogs
• Note-if you google "best blogs" you'll see lists of best blogs for many different specific topics.

So, let’s make a blog! (Note-make sure that you are signed in with your school gmail account).  We are going to use Google's Blogger platform called "Blogger" to create our blogs.  Find it in your Google Apps or you can click here.  Note-it may ask you to create a Google+ profile which you may (although this takes longer) or you can continue with a limited blogger profile (I would start here and then upgrade to Google+ later if you wish) Then:

1. Click the button to create a new blog. 
2. Decide on a catchy title for your blog.
3. Identify an available URL for your blog.
4. Choose a template to begin (don't worry, you can customize this later)
5. Then click "Create Blog" 

Some things to consider as you begin to blog

• Choosing a design. There are many different templates and ways to customize  Click on the Template link on the left side to choose. However, I encourage you to choose one that makes it easy to navigate and see your posts. Please choose one that allows you to see your entire post without clicking. 
• The layout tab allows you to change the layout of your blog and add gadgets-gadgets allow  you to post links, add pages, have newsfeeds, etc.
• Click on the settings tab and then language and formatting to change to Central Time Zone.
• Warnings before going too far
  • Audience
  • Privacy - no full names, personal information
  • Expectations - tone, respect, acceptable topic

Blogging-so now that your blog has been created, you are ready to post.  You can create a new post from your blogger dashboard or from your blog itself (as long as you are signed in). Remember, anyone can see and comment on your post so consider your audience.  
You can also incorporate images, videos, and links in your posts.  As we continue to blog this year, I will show you how to do this.

Need help?     

·         http://www.google.com/support/blogger/

So, here are your ultimate tasks for today (and tonight if you don't finish in class):

1.  Create a blog!
2.  Think of a catchy title.  Make sure you add a description of what you want your blog to be or to express.
3.  E-mail Mr. Kramer with the name of your blog and its URL address.  He will create a link to it on the class blog.
4. Write your first post. For your first topic, you will reflect on the article that you read for homework. 

• In what ways do you see division in our society? How has it impacted you or your vision of America? What, if anything, can be done to correct it. You must use information from the article that you read for homework to support your points.
• Read this article from this morning's news: The 1619 Project and the Far Right Fear of History and then add to your post. In what ways does this story reflect the division in American society? Where do you find yourself in the debate over the project? Should people pay attention or not?