I blog, You blog, (We)blog

It is recommended that you open an Internet window to run the blog from.

You will then need to use the ALT tab command to move between these instructions and the blog.

Now, connect to www.typepad.com

Click on Members Sign in

Member Name: IoWconference2007

Password: blogging

To now create your own blog, click on the Weblogs tab

And now on Create a new Weblog

Enter appropriate details for yourself, and click on Create new Weblog

Contents

How to manage the design of your blog-the Design tab

How to make a Post

How to set up Comment Moderation

How to use the TypeList tab

Further websites to explore

Objectives• During the following session, you should all;

1) Adapt the design of your blog

2) Make your first post

3) Set up Comment Moderation

4) Create a link to another site

5) Insert a file and an image

Objectives

Some of you may also want to;

6) Create an RSS feed for your blog

7) Add a Widget to your sidebar

8) Insert HTML code from www.slide.com

9) Investigate further tools for your blog

How to manage the design of your blog-the Design tab

This is the main screen to change the appearance of your entire blog. A full explanation of the 4 parts are available on the next slide.

1. To access this, click on

the design tab.

Blog design

-Changing the theme

- governs how your blog looks

-Changing the layout

- governs the structure of the blog, in particular the number of columns

-Selecting content

- to decide which of your typelists and descriptive elements, such as post titles, should be shown on your blog

-Ordering content

- to put your sidebar elements (typelists and widgets) in order

1.These are all your different possible designs. Types of design are available here.

It’s worth trying out different designs, but don’t worry too much, it can be changed at any time, even months after you start blogging!

2. When finished, save the changes!

The numer of columns principally effects the width of your post. If you are intending to use lots of widgets and typelists (things on your sidebar) it is recommended to have 3 columns- otherwise 2.

The content selection screen allows you to decide what elements should be included in your posts (title, date etc) and your sidebar (categories, archive, links etc). These can be changed at any time.

Modules are facilities offered automatically by TypePad.

Widgets are fun bits and bobs for your sidebar.

TypeLists allow you to form links to other sites, and to host badges- of photos and sitemaps of who’s visited your blog.

1. Choose which aspects you would like in your blog.

1. Ordering content: drag and drop in the order of priority- what do you want people to be able to see first on your sidebar?

2. Then click Save Changes

How to make a Post

1. In the Weblogs tab, click on Begin a new post

2. Type a short description of what you hope to learn during the session.

1. Add a title, eg first post

1. Click on category, and then Add a new category...

1. Add a category name, eg Blogging toolkit. Then click Add.

1. This now shows the Post ready to be published. Scroll down to finalise.

1. Decide whether or not you would like people to be able to comment on your Post. If yes, leave Open.

2. Then click SAVE

Indicates success in posting.

1. It is now advisable to check your blog to see if you are happy with the Post.

How to set up Comment Moderation

1. In order to set up comment moderation, click on the Weblogs tab.

1. Click on Feedback

1. Will allow commenters to provide their details through their TypePad account.

These are recommended settings for a school blog.

2. Prevents any inappropriate comments, as the author will be sent all comments to approve for the blog.

How to use the TypeList tab

A TypeList is displayed in your sidebar.

It can be used to...

- create links

- permanently display specific things on your blog e.g. photo displays

A TypeList must always be of a specific type. When you have assigned it, it cannot change.

There are five different types of TypeLists. However, for our educational purposes, it is the Links and Notes TypeLists which are key.

So what are they?!

Link TypeListUse a Link TypeList to add a link to another website to your sidebar. The fields in a Link TypeList are:•Title (what people will see in your sidebar)•URL (the web address)•Notes (To describe what the link is to)

•These are the most common TypeLists, and allow you to set up links for your pupils to follow.

Notes TypeListNotes TypeLists don’t create Links, but allow you to show selected content in your sidebar.e.g - Your favorite badges – eg for flickr

- Specific content such as gizmoz.com cartoons

The fields in a Notes TypeList are:Label – where you will be adding an HTML code.Note – what will be shown when you hover the mouse over the content on your blog.

1. This main TypeList page can be accessed by clicking on the TypeLists tab.

It displays all the TypeLists you have created, and you can add or edit these at any time.

2. Click here to create a new TypeList

In this screen you can create a new TypeList.

1. By clicking on the drop down menu you can choose the type of TypeList, and then put the name which you want to assign it.

But first you must decide which type of TypeList to use...

1. Choose the List to suit your purpose- in this case, Links.

Here we are setting up a link to the SSAT toolkit website.

1. To do this, we need a Link TypeList, which we will call SSAT toolkits.

2. Now press Create New List

The Add Item function allows us to input the details of a new Link.

1. Paste the URL (www.specialistschools.org.uk) of the required site.

2. and then add a description in the Notes section. This will appear when the user hovers their mouse over the Link.

In order for any changes to appear online, it must be published onto the blog.

1. As such, press Publish

1. Choose where the TypeList should be made.

Normally this will be onto your blog, not the About Page which describes you.

2. You will then need to press Save Changes.

The blue shaded boxes indicate that a task has been successfully completed.

1. If you want to change the position of the new TypeList on your sidebar, click Order

Recommended MFL blogswww.nodehillfrench.typepad.comwww.edgehillcollege.typepad.comhttp://northgatemfl.blogspot.com/http://jensutton.typepad.com/a_ship_in_the_country/http://misssimmonds.typepad.com/misssimmonds/

Other sites to explore

•www.zamzar.com/url•www.flickr.com•www.slideshare.net