blog instructions

As we talked about today in class, there are multiple benefits to expressing yourselves to a wider audience.  There are also multiple challenges in adopting new media.  In the next few weeks you will learn more about privacy, security, and how the Internet and its business models actually work.  This information will enable you to take full advantage of online resources without exposing yourself to unnecessary risk or embarrassment.  In the meantime, both to avoid any confusion and to ensure that we get off to a good start, please err on the side of caution and email me at dpreston.learning@gmail.com if you have any specific questions or concerns.

Here are the instructions for building your blog:

1. Go to blogger.com and create a blog
2. Suggested URL for your blog: [first initial][last name][rhsenglitcomp].blogspot.com (if you feel like being original, go for it-- but if you're on the fence about something creative, lean classy/professional)
3. Suggested title for your blog: "[first name] [last name]'s American Lit Blog"
4. Choose your own layout and template design features.  Don't be afraid to experiment and change these as you go
5. Once your blog is set up, please email the URL to me at dpreston.learning@gmail.com so that I can add your blog to the Member Blogs page on the main course blog.

NOTE: Don't be shy about asking others for help if you need it.

Once you've set up your blog you're ready for assignment #1.

Write 1-3 paragraphs that explain:

• your reason(s) for taking this course;
• what you're excited about and what makes you nervous;
• your goal(s) for this course;
• how you expect your knowledge and thinking to be improved by taking this course;
• why Richard Cory would never have surprised an Open Source Learning network the way he surprised the narrator and the readers of the poem.