IISME Summer 2007 FellowshipEducational Transfer Plan

Websites with WordPress:How to design, create, and manage your own website

Created by Michael Allen

Sponsor Company: eMeter CorporationMentor: Cherie Chan

Table of Contents

Abstract................................................................................................................................2Objectives............................................................................................................................2Description...........................................................................................................................2Standards..............................................................................................................................2Connections.........................................................................................................................3Materials..............................................................................................................................3Resources.............................................................................................................................3Procedures............................................................................................................................3Training Modules.................................................................................................................4

1: Introduction to Blogging & WordPress.................................................................42: Tour of WordPress...................................................................................................43: Plan a Website..........................................................................................................54: Create a Website.......................................................................................................5

Create an account.........................................................................................................5Update Profile..............................................................................................................6Create Title and Tagline..............................................................................................6Manage Categories......................................................................................................6Manage Pages..............................................................................................................6Manage Posts...............................................................................................................7Change Theme.............................................................................................................7Manage Widgets..........................................................................................................7Manage Comments......................................................................................................7Manage Blogroll..........................................................................................................8

5. Explore Some Websites............................................................................................86: Manage Your Website..............................................................................................8

Planning Your Site Form.....................................................................................................9Workshop Evaluation........................................................................................................12Workshop Survey..............................................................................................................13Presentation Slide Deck.....................................................................................................14

Abstract

This project provides teachers with an introduction to website creation and training in the online software tool WordPress. Instruction and support will be given to teachers on how to create, update and manage their individual classroom websites using WordPress.

Objectives

Identify the major components of a blog Locate and describe the key features of WordPress Plan and design a website Use WordPress to create a website

Description

“Websites with WordPress” was designed to introduce, provide practice with, and create a website using the on-line software application WordPress. Presentation, demonstration/exercises, and Q & A will be the instructional methods used to achieve the stated objectives. The workshop has been divided into 6 training modules. Each module contains a brief introduction, a list of objectives, and specific content. Each module, each will contain a combination of screenshots, procedures, and text to deliver the information. The first module provides an introduction to blogs and an overview of WordPress. The second module is tour of WordPress user interface and illustrates its key features and functions. The third module is guide to gathering the information needed to create a website plan. The fourth module provides instruction and practice for a series of individual tasks to complete. Step by step procedures and illustrations are used to demonstrate how to complete each task. The fifth module is designed to provide time in viewing the other workshop participants’ WordPress websites. Practice in how to leave comments and review comments left by others will be given. The last module contains a workshop summary, time for Q & A, and a list of WordPress resources. The most effective method for the delivery of the content would be a face to face training session. The training has been designed so that it can be completed individually. By the end of the workshop participants will have learned the basics of blogging, the key features of WordPress and how to plan, design, and create a website. The workshop materials and a list of additional WordPress resources can be used by participants. The instructor will be available throughout the year to offer assistance and help participants manage their classroom websites.

Standards

The project addresses two ISTE National Technology Standards: Standard IB-demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of current and emerging technologies and Standard IV D- use technology to communicate with peers, parents, and the larger community in order to nurture student understanding.

Connections

My fellowship responsibilities were to update content on the company's website and to create training materials. Since the use of websites is standard in industry and business sectors, schools should implement the same practice and help teachers to create individual classroom websites. I will use the skills I developed during my fellowship to create and implement a training workshop on website design. The training will focus on how to create, edit, and manage a website using WordPress.

Materials

Computers with internet access, LCD projectorPlan a Website worksheetsWorkshop evaluation formsPre and post-survey forms

Resources

The WordPress site itself offers a variety of free tutorials, documents, and forums that can be accessed for help:

http://codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page

This is a free blogging community site that provides tools, examples and support for educational blogging:

http://edublogs.org

Procedures Ask teachers to complete “Pre-Workshop Survey” Plan, schedule, and invite teaches to “Websites with WordPress” workshop Conduct workshop Ask teachers to complete “Post-Workshop Survey” and “Workshop Evaluation” forms Provide help and guidance throughout the year to teachers who are managing their

classroom website

Training Modules

1: Introduction to Blogging & WordPress

Abbreviation of the words Web and LogOngoing chronicle of informationFrequently updated with many focuses and purposesCommonalities:

Main content area with postsArchive of older postsA way for people to leave commentsLinks to other sites “Blog roll”One or more RSS Feeds (Real Simple Syndication)Content: Updated continuouslyComments: interactive feature that allows the visitor to leave comments

History of WordPressStarted in 2003 with a bit of code to enhance typographyNow it’s the largest self hosting blogging tool in the worldOpen Source Can download and customize but easiest way is to use the WordPress.com site

Origin of the name:Developer wanted to associate the new software with printing pressesPress- refers to journalists, photographers, columnistsServes as a printing press for users to publish their words

2: Tour of WordPress

Administration panel: where the organization of your site beginsView site: see the actual siteHeader: title placeholderSidebar/Navigation: Widgets- pages, categories, links, calendar, etc.Post: title, content, meta dataFooter: blog sourceHome Page: features most recent posts, which link to actual post pagePosts: stored in categoriesArchives: organizes previous postsThe Dashboard: “Your Stuff” and “What’s Hot”Users: Authors and Users, your profilePresentation: Themes- presentation style, features, and feelWrite: Write new posts and create pagesManage: manage posts, pages, uploads, categories, import/export filesBlogroll: links to other websitesComments: moderate comments left by others

3: Plan a Website

Mission Statement:What am I going to do with this?Who is going to read this?What kinds of information will I be posting?Why am I doing this?Who am I doing this for?How often am I going to be posting and adding information?

This website will be dedicated to X, Y, and Z. and cover the topics of A, B, and C. The audience will be_____________________. I will be adding posts every_________________ about_____________________. I am doing this because ___________________.

X, Y, and Z: purposeA, B, C: categories

Title and Tag LineSidebar: What information do you want in the sidebarCalendarArchivesBlogroll: http://www.epa.gov/kids, http://www.scholastic.com/kids http://www.yahooligans.com RSS Feed: http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/rss/SNK.asp Categories: Ask the Teacher, Homework, Weekly Bulletins, Special AnnouncementsPages: About, Daily ScheduleBiographical StatementUsername and PasswordWelcome Message

4: Create a Website

Create an accountOpen browser and type in http://www.wordpress.comClick Start your free WordPress BlogType in your “username” in the Username BoxType in your “email address” in the Email BoxCheck the box next to Legal flotsamClick NextIdentify your site’s domain nameEnter your “Blog Title”Click Sign UpOpen the email sent by WordPress and locate your passwordReturn to http://www.wordpress.com type in your “username” and “password” Click Enter

Update Profile

Click Users on the topic menu barClick Your Profile in sub-topic barType your “first name, last name, and nickname” in the Name sectionType your “autobiographical statement” in the About Yourself sectionType your “email” and “website address” in the Contact Info section

Type your “new password” twice in the Password sectionClick Update Profile

Create Title and Tagline

Click Options in the topic menu barType your “website’s title” in the Weblog Title boxType your “website’s tagline” in the Tagline boxClick Update Options

Manage Categories

Add a CategoryClick Manage in the topic menu barClick Categories in the sub-topic menu barClick Add New

Type “Ask the Teacher” in the Category Name boxType a brief description of the category in the Description boxClick Add Category

Repeat the steps above to create these categories:“Homework” “Weekly Bulletins” “Special Announcements”

Manage Pages

Click Manage in the topic menu barClick Pages in the sub-topic menu bar

Edit PageClick Edit for the page AboutDelete the text in the Page Content sectionType your “Mission Statement”Click Save

Create PageClick Create PageType Daily Schedule in the Page Title boxClick Publish

Manage Posts

Delete a PostClick Manage in topic menu barLocate the example postClick Delete for the postClick OK in dialogue box

Write a PostClick Write in the topic menu barClick Write Post in the sub-topic menu barType your “welcome message title” in the Title boxType your “welcome message” in the Post boxUse the tool bar to edit and format your messageClick Uncategorized in the Categories boxClick Publish to publish your post to your website

Change Theme

Click Presentation in the topic menu barScroll down to find a theme you likeClick on the “theme title”(website is automatically updated with new theme)Scroll to the top and click View SiteClick your browser’s back button

Manage Widgets

Click Presentation in the topic menu barClick Widgets in the sub-topic menu bar

Add RSS FeedFind the widget RSS 1 in the Available Widgets boxDrag the widget RSS 1 to the sidebar boxDouble click on the Configure Icon on the right side of the widgetLocate the pop-up dialogue boxType the URL address: http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/rss/SNK.asp in the RSS/Feed boxType “Science Right Now!” in the Title box

Manage CommentsClick CommentsDelete commentEmail is received when new comments are written and posted

Manage Blogroll

Add a LinkClick Blogroll in the topic menu barClick Add Link in the sub-topic menu barType “Environmental Kids Page” in the Title boxType “http://www.epa.gov/kids” in the Address boxCheck Blogroll in the Categories boxClick Add Link

Repeat the steps above to create links for the following:

“Scholastic Kid page” “http://www.scholastic.com/kids”“Yahooligans” “http://www.yahooligans.com”

5. Explore Some Websites

Website AddressesIdentify the web addresses of the WordPress sites created by workshop participantsMake a list of these websites to use as a resourceTrade your website address with one other participant

Leave a CommentOpen up a new web browser windowType in the “web address” of your partner’s siteRead the Introduction PostClick CommentType “your name” Type “your email address”Type “your comment”Click Submit Comment

Award Winning SitesOpen a new web browserType in: http://www.incsub.org/awardsScroll to view different sitesClick on a site you would like to seeContinue to choose other sites to visit

6: Manage Your Website

Here are two excellent resources to help you expand, modify, and manage your website:http://edublogs.org/features/http://codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page

Planning Your Site

A good website comes from a good plan. It is now time for you to think about your own classroom website. This form will help you plan, design, and develop your site.

Mission Statement

The first step in designing your site is to determine the purpose, content, and audience. To help you identify these things, read the questions below and write a brief answer for each one.

1. What am I going to do with this? __________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

2. Who is going to read this? _______________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

3. What kind of information will I be posting? _________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

4. Why am I doing this? ___________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

5. Who am I doing this for? ________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

6. How often am I going to be posting and adding information? ___________________

________________________________________________________________________

Compile the information from your answers to write a paragraph. This will be your mission statement. Use the following template as a guide.

This website will be dedicated to X, Y, and Z. and cover the topics of A, B, and C. The audience will be_____________________. I will be adding posts every_________________ about_____________________. I am doing this because ___________________.

X, Y, and Z: purpose for the websiteA, B, and C: categories of information

My Mission Statement

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Title and Tagline

Now that you have your mission statement, think about what the title of your site should be. Be creative but keep it simple. After you have decided on the title, you need to write a tagline. A tagline is a short catchy phrase or slogan that describes the essence, character, or attributes of your site.

Title: __________________________________________________________________

Tagline: ________________________________________________________________

Sidebar

You can personalize your site and deliver information you want by customizing your sidebar. The information is organized into widgets, which are links the reader can use to navigate within and to outside web addresses outside of your site. Here are just a few of the widgets that can be added to your sidebar.

Calendar Archives Blogroll RSS FeedTag Cloud Top Posts Search Vod: Pod VideosCategories Plug-ins Del.iciou.us Recent CommentsRecent Posts Search Flikr Pages

Circle these six widgets: Calendar, Archives, Blogroll, RSS Feed, Categories, Pages

Pages: In addition to your Home Page identify 2 other pages

1. ________________________________

2. ________________________________

Blogroll: Identify three other websites that will be linked to yours:

1. ________________________________

2. ________________________________

3. ________________________________

Categories: Identify four different categories of posts

1. ________________________________

2. ________________________________

3. ________________________________

4. ________________________________

RSS Feed: Identify one RSS Feed

1. ________________________________

Calendar

Archives

Biographical Statement

Write a brief biographical statement. Include any personal, professional, or educational information about yourself. This will be used as an introduction of yourself to viewers of your web site.

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Create Username and Password

Choose a username and a password that you can easily remember

Username: _______________________ Password: ______________________

Welcome Message

Write a brief message that welcomes viewers to your website:

Title: _____________________________________

Message: ________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Websites with WordPressWorkshop Evaluation

Please rate your satisfaction with the training

Use this scale:1- Very Dissatisfied2- Dissatisfied3-Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied4- Satisfied5- Very Satisfied

Usefulness 1-----------------2-----------------3-----------------4-----------------5

Format 1-----------------2-----------------3-----------------4-----------------5

Organization 1-----------------2-----------------3-----------------4-----------------5

Activities 1-----------------2-----------------3-----------------4-----------------5

Handouts/materials 1-----------------2-----------------3-----------------4-----------------5

Presenter’s skills 1-----------------2-----------------3-----------------4-----------------5

Overall rating 1-----------------2-----------------3-----------------4-----------------5

How could this workshop be improved?

Any other comments or suggestions?

Websites with WordPressWorkshop Survey

Please circle one: pre-training post-training

Please rate your ability in each of the following skills:

Skill I can do itI think I

know howI have no idea

Internet and BloggingNavigate to websites on the internetIdentify a browserDefine the term “blog”Identify the key features of a “blog”

Website DesignWrite a mission statementWrite a title and taglineIdentify and create a navigation sidebar Write a biographical statementWrite a welcome message

WordPress SoftwareCreate an accountUpdate your profileCreate a Title and TaglineManage CategoriesManage PagesManage PostsChange ThemeManage WidgetsManage commentsManage Blogroll

Website ExplorationLocate a WordPress created siteSubmit a comment on a WordPress siteLocate award winning WordPress sites

Website ManagementIdentify an online WordPress reference site

Presentation Slide Deck

Websites with WordPress

Design, create, and manage your own website

Created by Michael Allen

Agenda

Introductions

Objectives/Purpose

Course Structure

Rules of Engagement

Surveys/Evaluations

Learning Modules

Questions and Answers

Introductions

Please introduce yourself: Name

Previous experience with blogs and websites

What you want to gain from the workshop

Objectives

After this training you will be able to:

Identify the major components of a blog

Locate the key features of WordPress

Plan and design a website

Use WordPress to create a website

Course Structure

Demonstrations/Exercises

Presentation

Questions/Answers

Rules of Engagement

Please do not access your personal email

Turn off cell phones and pagers

Please honor break time limits

Participate, this is your class

Ask questions at any time

Still don’t get it – ASK AGAIN

Be willing to experiment new ideas and techniques

Offer suggestions for improvements

Surveys/Evaulations

You will be asked to complete two surveys Pre-Workshop Survey

Post-Workshop Survey

You will be asked to complete a workshop evaluation

Please complete the Pre-Workshop Survey

2. Tour

1. Introduction

3. Plan

6. Manage

4. Create

Learning Modules

6. Manage

5. Explore

2. Tour

1. Introduction

3. Plan

6. Manage

4. Create

Introduction to Blogs & WordPress

6. Manage

5. Explore

What is a Blog?

Abbreviation of the words “Web and Log”

Ongoing chronicle of information

Frequently updated

Commonalities: Main content area with posts

Archive of older posts A way for people to leave posts

Links to other sites

One or more RSS Feeds (Real Simple Syndication)

History of WordPress

Started in 2003 with a bit of code Created as a personal publishing software The largest self hosting blogging tool in the

world Open Source:

Everyone has access to it Everything is written by and for the community Free to use

Can download and customize

Origin of the name

Wanted to associate the new software with printing presses

“Press” refers to journalists, photographers, columnists

Serves as a “printing press” for users to publish their “words”

2. Tour

1. Introduction

3. Plan

6. Manage

5. Explore

4. Create

Tour of WordPress

The Dashboard

To see the actual site

Recent activity on your site Popular posts and sites

Topic menu bar

Sub-topic menu bar

Presentation: Themes

Style, look, and feel

Presentation: Widgets

Items in your sidebar navigation

Site Management

Manage all of your posts, pages, uploads, categories

Comments

Moderate comments left by others

Home Page

Title and header

Sidebar navigation

Most recent posts

2. Tour

1. Introduction

3. Plan

6. Manage

5. Explore

4. Create

Plan a Website

Mission Statement

First step is to determine the purpose, content, and audience of your website

Think about the following questions: What am I going to do with this?

Who is going to read this?

What kind of information will I be posting?

Why am I doing this? Who am I doing this for?

How often am I going to be posting and adding information?

Title and Tagline

Title Think about the title of your site should be

Be creative but keep it simple

Tagline Short phrase or slogan

Describes the essence, attributes, & character

Sidebar

Customize your site by determining the information you want to have accessible

Organized into links called “widgets”

Used to navigate within and outside of your site

Widgets

Here are just a few of the widgets you can add:Calendar Archives BlogrollRSS Feed Tag Cloud Top PostsSearch Vod: Pod CategoriesPlug-ins Comments FlikrDel.iciou.us Recent Posts

Search Pages

Identified Sidebar Widgets

Pages: “About”, “Daily Schedule”

Blogroll: “http://www.epa.gov/kids”, http://www.scholastic.com/kids “http://www.yahooligans.com”

Categories: “Ask the Teacher”, “Homework”, “Weekly Bulletins”, “Special “Announcements

RSS Feed: http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/rss/SNK.asp

Calendar Archives

Biographical Statement

A brief history of yourself

Include any professional, personal, or educational information

What you want viewers of your site to know about you

Username and Password

Words used to access your site

Choose ones that you can easily remember

Welcome Message

A brief message that welcomes viewers to your site

2. Tour

1. Introduction

3. Plan

6. Manage

5. Explore

4. Create

Create a Website

Create an Account

Open browser and type in http://www.wordpress.com

Click Start your free WordPress Blog

Create an Account

Type in your “username” in the Username Box

Type in your “email address” in the Email Box

Check the box next

to Legal flotsam

Click Next

Create an Account

Identify your site’s domain name

Enter your “Blog Title”

Click Sign Up

Create an Account

Open the email sent by WordPressand locate your initial password

Return to http://www.wordpresscom

Type in your “username” and “initial password”

Click Enter

Update Profile

Click Users on the topic menu bar

Click Your Profile in sub-topic bar

Update Profile

Type your “first name, last name, and nickname” in the Name section

Type your “autobiographical statement” in the About Yourself section

Type your “email” and “website address” in the Contact Info section

Type your “new password”twice in the Password section

Click Update Profile

Create Title and Tagline

Click Options in the topic menu bar

Type your “website’s title” in the WeblogTitle box

Type your “website’s tagline” in the Tagline box

Click Update Options

Manage Categories

Add a Category Click Manage in the topic menu bar Click Categories in the sub-topic

menu bar Click Add New Type “Ask the Teacher” in the

Category Name box Type a brief description of the

category in the Description box Click Add Category

Repeat the steps above to create these categories:

“Homework” “Weekly Bulletins” “Special Announcements”

Manage Pages

Click on Manage in the topic menu bar

Click on Pages in the sub-topic menu bar

Edit Page Click Edit for the page About Delete the text in the Page

Content section Type your “Mission

Statement” Click Save

Manage Pages

Create Page

Click Create Page

Type Daily Schedule in the Page Title box

Click Publish

Manage Posts

Delete a Post Click Manage in topic

menu bar Click on Posts Locate the example

post Click Delete for the post Click OK in dialogue

box

Manage Posts

Write a Post Click Write in the topic menu

bar Click Write Post in the sub-

topic menu bar Type your “welcome message

title” in the Title box Type your “welcome

message” in the Post box Use the tool bar to edit and

format your message Click Uncategorized in the

Categories box Click Publish to publish your

post to your website

Change Theme

Click Presentation in the topic menu bar

Scroll down to find a theme you like

Click on the “theme title” (website is automatically

updated with new theme) Scroll to the top and click

View Site Click your browser’s back

button Locate and click the theme

“Quentin”

Manage Widgets

Click Presentation in the topic menu bar

Click Widgets in the sub-topic menu bar

Add RSS Feed Find the widget RSS 1 in the

Available Widgets box Drag the widget RSS 1 to the

sidebar box

Manage Widgets

Double click on the Configure Icon on the right side of the widget

Locate the pop-up dialogue box Type the URL address:

http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/rss/SNK.asp in the RSS/Feed box

Type “Science Right Now!” in the Title box

Manage Widgets

Add Calendar Find the widget Calendar in the

Available Widgets box Drag the widget Calendar to the

sidebar box

Repeat the steps above to create these widgets

Archives Links Pages Categories

Click Save Changes

Manage Comments

Click Comments

Click Delete on “test comment”

Click OK in dialogue box Edit, delete, approve and un-

approve comments

Email is received when new comments are written and posted

Manage Blogroll

Add a Link Click Blogroll in the topic menu

bar Click Add Link in the sub-topic

menu bar Type “Environmental Kids

Page” in the Title box Type “http://www.epa.gov/kids”

in the Address box Check Blogroll in the

Categories box Click Add Link

Manage Blogroll

Repeat the steps above to create links for the following:

“Scholastic Kid page”“http://www.scholastic.com/kids”

“Yahooligans”“http://www.yahooligans.com”

2. Tour

1. Introduction

3. Plan

6. Manage

5. Explore

4. Create

Explore Some Websites

Website Addresses

Identify the web addresses of the WordPresssites created by workshop participants

Make a list of these websites to use as a resource

Trade your website address with one other participant

Leave a Comment

Open up a new web browser window

Type in the “web address” of your partner’s site

Read the Introduction Post

Click Comment

Type “your name”

Type “your email address”

Type “your comment”

Click Submit Comment

Award Winning Sites

Open a new web browser

Type in: http://www.incsub.org/awards

Scroll to view different sites

Click on a site you would like to see

Continue to choose other sites to visit

2. Tour

1. Introduction

3. Plan

6. Manage

5. Explore

4. Create

Manage Your Website

Resources

Here are two excellent resources to help you expand, modify, and manage your website http://edublogs.org/features/

http://codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page

Question and Answer

Please ask questions for additional: Clarification

Help

Support

Concerns

Guidance

Evaluations

Please complete the Post-Workshop

Survey

Please complete the workshop evaluation form