1A: Blog Setup & Video Intro

Instructions:

A. SET UP A BLOG:

1. WATCH THE VIDEO:  Go to WordPress.com and follow this Comm 130 Video Tutorial: Setting up WordPress to correctly set up your own free WordPress blog.

2. ORGANIZE YOUR BLOG: If you are using the same blog for other classes, you should set up pages and categories to separate and organize your content like a website. Notice the tabs across the top of this SAMPLE blog:   http://commbyui.wordpress.com/ Some themes may not give you as many options, so you have to try a few different themes. Set up a category and Page called “Design.” This is the section of your blog that we will use on the “Blog Roll” it the “Course” folder so your classmates can easily find your projects.

NOTE: At some point in the future, you should think about getting an even more professional web presence, with a full self-hosted WordPress website. (like Megan Kelly’s)

B. CREATE A VIDEO INTRODUCTION:

1. RECORD A VIDEO:

Make sure you sit close to your screen, so we can see you! Spend between two and three minutes talking about:
1.  Yourself.
2.  Your experience with Visual Communication.
3. What you hope to learn or gain from this course.

C. CREATE NEW BLOG POST AND EMBED VIDEO:

1. CREATE A NEW BLOG POST: Following the instruction in the Comm 130 Video Tutorial: Setting up WordPress, create a new blog post.
 2. EMBED VIDEO: In YouTube, below the video you uploaded, click on the word “Share” and then “Embed.” Copy the embed code.  Also click ” Show More” and uncheck the option to “Show suggested videos…”  If you need help finding these options, watch this short video. Go to your new blog post and click “Text” to see the HTML view. Paste the YouTube embed code into your blog post.
3. PUBLISH YOUR BLOG POST and check the “Design” category.

D. ADD PHOTO & BLOG LINK to Class Facebook Group – Intro & Blog Link Album:

1.  Join the Class Facebook Group for your section. Found in Content > Week 1 > Week 1: Vital Information.
DISCLAIMER: joining the Facebook group is NOT automatic. Because it’s private, I have to approve your request to join. DO NOT WAIT until Tuesday at 11:58pm to request access to the Facebook group or your first assignment will be considered late. Join now and you’ll be all set :)
2. ADD PHOTO & LINK:  Click on Photos – Albums – Intro & Blog Link, then in the comments add a recent photo of you and a working hyperlink to your blog (or the design category of your blog).
3. MEET YOUR CLASSMATES & MAKE TWO COMMENTS IN THE FB ALBUM: View your classmates’ photos, then click their blog links, and watch their videos.  Then after you view their Intro Video, go back to the Facebook Intro Album and reply to at least two classmates’ FACEBOOK comments. If someone already has 2 replies, choose another classmate for your reply. NOTE: Your Intro Video / Blog Post, Facebook Post, and 2 Replies in the Facebook Group Album must be complete before the deadline.