How+To+Create+a+Blog

= **BLOG IT!** =

Yes, you too can become part of the [|Blogosphere] by creating your own blog. In fact, it's a requirement for this class. Please follow the easy to read assembly instructions below, and you'll be blogging in no time.

But first, you may ask,
 * Question:** Why [|Blog]?
 * Answer:** By your creating a blog, it allows me easy access to your daily writing assignments. It allows your peers the opportunity to see how you respond to those daily writing assignments, and to leave comments. It allows your parents and family the chance to see what you are working on in my class. It allows you to look back and see all the work you've completed. And...it allows all of this to happen without killing a single tree! It also makes it impossible for you to say, "My dog ate my homework!" (unless, of course, your dog eats your computer).

Due to some technical difficulties we encounter when everyone attempts to create a new account through our school computers all at the same time, I am asking that you do this as homework. Two things to remember:
 * 1) If you don't have an internet connection at home, or you don't feel comfortable doing this without my help, don't worry...I'll help you do it during class.
 * 2) If you try this at home and encounter error messages or other problems, don't freak out...just tell me about it in class tomorrow, and I'll help you figure it out.


 * NOTE:** All CCT students are required to have a blog, but you only need one. Do not create numerous blogs; I will explain below how to create a new category for each of your CCT classes.


 * TO CREATE A** **NEW ACCOUNT** at wordpress.com, complete the following:
 * 1) Open the following in a browser window: **[]**
 * 2) Click “Get started here” button on left side of screen.
 * 3) For the page titled “Get your own WordPress.com account in seconds”, complete as follows:
 * 4) Blog Address: cctfirstnamelastname for example: cctjoeschlabotnik (.wordpress.com will be added to your blog address)
 * 5) Username: cctfirstnamelastname for example: cctjoeschlabotnik
 * 6) Password: create your own password (something you will remember!)
 * 7) E-mail address: use your own e-mail address
 * 8) Email the following information to Mr. Spampinato at **spamp@tjjournal.com**: blog address, username, password (I will keep these on file in case you ever forget them)
 * 9) You need to open your email, and activate your account by following the instructions in the email from wordpress.com

All CCT students must use the same theme (we will allow personal customization later, be we all want to start with the same infrastructure):
 * TO FORMAT YOUR THEME:** (we will cover this - and every step beyond - in class if you would prefer to wait...otherwise, forge on ahead!)
 * 1) Log into your account by going to your site and clicking on  under  on the right side navigation bar.
 * 2) Under the  menu on the left, click on 
 * 3) Our theme is called . Sometimes this is the default theme that Wordpress will automatically load. If this is not the case for you, use the  or the  to find , and click on .
 * 4) Click on  on the left navigation menu
 * 5) Click on 
 * 6) Under  type: Firstname Lastname CCT Web Log (example: Joe Schlabotnik's CCT Web Log)
 * 7) Under  type: Center for Communication Technology at Thomas Jefferson High School
 * 8) Click on  and then click on the link to your blog at the top of that page to preview your blog. It should look something like this: [|http://spampsblog.wordpress.com]


 * TO MAKE YOUR OWN CUSTOM HEADER:**
 * 1) On the  menu, click on 
 * 2) Under <Appearance> click on <Themes>
 * 3) Next to the <Twenty Ten> theme, click on <Options> <Header>
 * 4) If you want to use one of the default images, choose one of the images shown below.
 * 5) If you want to use one of your own images (like I did), click on <Browse> in the <Upload Image> section.
 * 6) Locate an image from your hard drive, and click on <Upload>
 * 7) When you upload is complete, you will be given the chance to crop they photo
 * 8) When finished, click on <Crop and Upload>
 * 9) You can do multiple photos and change them periodically. (Have fun with this, but keep the photos appropriate.)


 * TO CREATE A NEW POST, AND A NEW CATEGORY:**
 * 1) From your <Dashboard> menu, click on <Posts>
 * 2) Under <Posts> click on <Add New>. This will open your Wordpress publishing workspace.
 * 3) Type in a headline (or an assignment name) in the empty box under <Add New Post>.
 * 4) In the large text block under the formatting pallet, type the content of your post (later I will cover how to format your text, add photos, add graphics, add links, and many more cool things.
 * 5) When you are done with the body of your text, scroll down and find <Categories> on the right side. Click on <Add New Category> below. NOTE: You only have to do this once for each new category (one for each of your CCT classes). Later I will show you how to make sub categories for specific types of assignments for each class.
 * 6) After you create a new category, from now on you can just check that specific category box on the <Category> menu.


 * EXTRA CREDIT:**

Okay, if you've managed to do everything I've outlined above on your own - without any help from me - then you deserve some extra credit! Just come see me tomorrow in class and show off your awesome blog, and I'll give you 20 points of extra credit! However, if you've tried all of this stuff and none of it worked and you're ready to pull your hair out and drop out of high school...DON'T DO IT! Just come see me in class tomorrow, and I'll help you get it all worked out.