Class Title: Beginning Blogging Instructor: Katherine Misegades Class Term: September 20-November 15, 2010 enroll in this class Class Description Blogs are websites that allow a person to add and manage content without needing to know how to write code. Among their many uses, blogs can be used for journaling, and can be kept private by using a password. A blog can be set up and customized within an hour or two. This course offers technical information to help potential bloggers set up a blog and get comfortable with managing it. The main mode of communication in this class is through the Memoirs Online blog that grows as the course progresses. This provides concrete information by way of posts, pages and links. Email is the other mode of communication so the instructor and student can consult about specific blogging plans and challenges. When you finish this class, you should be able to set up and customize a new blog (Wordpress, Blogger, Type Pad); add and manage posts; add and manage links; add and manage pages; manage comments; add and manage other resources such as images and audio files; troubleshoot blogging issues by searching for help from the blog host. Class Outline Unit One: Set up and customize a new blog (Wordpress, Blogger, Type Pad) Unit Two: Add and manage posts Unit Three: Add and manage links Unit Four: Manage comments Unit Five: Add and manage pages (for Wordpress blogs) and other parts Unit Six: Add and manage other resources such as images and audio files Units Seven and Eight: Troubleshoot blogging issues including searching for help from the blog host, and refine the blog Student Skills, Equipment required computer connected with the internet (know how to connect to the internet) text editing software such as Text Edit on a Mac or Note Pad on a PC (know the basics of using the software) internet browser software (know the basics of using it to navigate and interact on the internet) email access/account (know the basics of sending and receiving email) Tuition/Fees for this course SCN members: $225. Non-SCN members: $265. Instructor Bio I have been a website designer for ten years—an extension of my career as a graphic artist. In the past three years, I have set up blogs for many of my clients. Included in my services is teaching my clients how to maintain their blog. When we can't sit side by side to work on their blogs, we email or use the telephone to clarify technical issues. I also post instructions for them on my blogs and use blog posts for other instructional opportunities such as knitting. I maintain four personal blogs, three on wordpress and one on Google's blogger (blogspot). Praise for Katherine's Classes As a very tentative beginning blogger, I found the encouragement and assistance offered by Katherine Misegades in this course very reassuring. She allowed me the flexibility I needed to work this in to a busy schedule, but reminded me of goals and was always able to help when I could not find answers on my own. I now have two blogs and will enjoy continuing to use them. —Mary Ann P., Sugar Land TX Katherine is very knowledgeable in blogs. I already had a website and just wanted a blog to go along with it. She took the time to assist me in getting this accomplished and went the extra mile in making sure that it was the way I wanted it. Thank you, Katherine. —Linda L., Chapin SC The instructor knows her subject and knows how to teach it. I especially appreciated the personal attention I received—including her offer to answer questions and make suggestions by phone once I had set up my blog. Everything about the course was excellent. —Kathy W., Austin TX