Here are a few rules that we’ll need to follow:
1. We will use WordPress to host our student blogs. I like the variety of looks you can achieve with WordPress; also the dashboard that allows you to post, monitor comments, add widgets etc. that WordPress allows.
WordPress has a great, easy to follow tutorial for setting up your blog.
~Students who were enrolled in Ag Leadership during 2010-11 please help other students to get their blogs set up, or work on styling your own while your classmates complete these steps.
Let’s begin by going to http://wordpress.com and clicking on the orange ” Get Started” button.
This will take you to a new page. Figure out a name for your blog and, by trial and error, enter that slug into the box.
2. Your blog may not contain your entire first and last name. Only first names or an appropriate nickname. Your blog url and title will be something like this: myblog.wordpress.com If you enter a name or slug that is already in use you will get a screen something like this:
When you find a combination that works – WooHoo, you’ll get a screen like this:
Choose a username and password and enter them in the appropriate blanks. The default username will be the slug you came up with . You can change your user name later if you need or want to.
Enter your school e mail address:
Be sure to select English in the pull down menu and click “sign up”
An e mail will be sent to the e mail address you entered.
Click on the link within the e mail you received. This will take you to a screen that looks something like this:
We’ll get back to blog set up in a minute. Be sure to book mark the dashboard page! You will be using it again!
Let’s finish taking a look at the rules for blogging that we will be following:
3. All graphics must be school and FFA appropriate. No scantilly clad young men or women. Or old men or women for that matter – Ewwwwwwww! If in doubt, ask!
4. Any music associated with your blog must also be school and FFA appropriate.
5. When posting to your blog, keep in mind that your blog is a reflection of you, your family, your school, our FFA Chapter and your FFA Advisor. Once it’s out on the web, it’s really hard to take it back! Keep all language appropriate, use spell and grammar check! If you are talking about a specific person, don’t use that person’s real name.
Styling your blog:
I can help you with graphics if desired with whichever theme you chose. Several of last year’s Ag Leadership people can also help you with blog design and graphic installation.
Styling your blog in WordPress becomes a game of learning to read code; some themes are more user friendly than others! This blog was developed using the theme 2010 Weaver. I’ve added my own graphics and changed just a few things to get closer to the look I’m going for. Since I host my own blog, I have more functional flexibility than you will but you should still be able to achieve a professional looking blog that you can be proud of.
To find a theme you like: on the left hand side of your dashboard, click on appearance, then themes. When the themes menu opens, you may browse themes to search for a theme you might like. Let’s concentrate on the free themes for our purposes. There are also a lot on line, just search for free wordpress themes.
Before I totally turn you loose. Make note of these things:
Your blog url. The sample blog that I set up during the creation of this blog post is located at http://wcffaleads.wordpress.com/
The login screen for this blog will be located at http://wcffaleads.wordpress.com/wp-login.php
You will always be able to find your blog log in screen by substituting your blog name for “wcffaleads” in the urls above.
Write down your user name and password!
When you need help, please ask.
Happy Blogging!