Creating a Site in Academic Commons – a Beginning Primer

Your guides:Lisa Rapple, Curriculum Technology Specialist, C.D.L.Joshua Gaul, Instructional Technologist, O.I.T.Claire Miller, Curriculum Design Specialist, C.D.L.

Important Facts and Considerations

• Define how the Commons is used up front.(J)• Official vs. personal use. (J)• Restricted use – (J)• Tutorials and support in the Commons (J)• Selecting a theme. Each theme is unique,

however their features are static. They can not be changed. Theme considerations. (L)

• Space is limited, so be judicious. Linking vs. storing. (L)

Initial creation of a Commons site (Joshua)• Log in to the Commons using your ESC user name and password• Click “Create a Site!” in side column.• Choose a site name (can be changed later) and a short URL name

(can not be changed later)

Accessing the dashboard, this is where it all happens

Components of a site (in general) PAGES

POSTS WIDGETS

Set general settings to include; update title and bi-line.

• General Settings– General– Writing– Reading– Discussion– Privacy– Delete Blog

• General – General– Writing– Reading– Discussion– Privacy– Delete Blog

How and why to change the theme (Lisa)Theme “ocean mist”: 2 column fixed width

How and why to change the theme (Lisa)Theme “almost spring”: 2 column fixed width

How and why to change the theme (Lisa)Theme “glossy blue”: 2 column fixed width

How and why to change the theme (Lisa)Theme “oceanWide”: 3 column, variable width

7. Media - Load a picture. Place on sticky post. (Joshua)

Remember a “sticky” post. (?)*** Why create additional posts? (updates/announcements that chronologically appear below the sticky post). (?)

Create a page. Information, resume, resources*** What is the difference between a page and a post?

Create a comments page.

Pages and Posts: