Create Your Own ESL/EFL Weblog

TOPICS CALL Pages: Weblogs - Section 4


blogging

About Weblogs

What is a weblog?

Viewing weblogs

Deciding what kind of weblog you want to create?

Starting a weblog

Using weblog hosting tools to create your own weblog

Articles of Interest

The Art of Blogging
George Siemens

Writing with Weblogs
Kristen Kennedy

Weblogs for Use with ESL Classes
Aaron Campbell

Creating a Writing Course Using Class and Student Blogs
Andrew Johnson
 



Using weblog hosting tools to create your first blog

Now that you have considered ways to use blogs and determined the purpose of your blog, it is time to look at some weblog hosting tools you can use to create your blog. There are many free Weblog hosting tools available online that will host a blog for you free-of-charge. Blogger and WordPress are two of the most popular ones. and both are free. Using the following links, you can explore features of each one.

Blogger: Take a Quick Tour

WordPress: Discover Its Features


Getting Started: It's easy to start a weblog. Basically, all you need to do is decide on a user name, a password, and the name of your blog. In only a few minutes, you can start posting on your blog. Here are some basic instructions for opening a blog on each of these hosting tools.

How to Create a Blogger Blog
(adapted from Blogger sign up pages)

How to Create a WordPress Blog
(adapted from WordPress sign up pages)


1. At Blogger Start Up, click on the orange arrow: CREATE YOUR BLOG NOW.

1. At WordPress.com, click on the green bar: Sign Up Now!

2. Enter your email address, password, and display name. Click on the orange arrow: CONTINUE.

2. On the sign up page, choose a user name and a password. Enter your email address. Check the terms of service box. Click on "Gimme a Blog!" Click on "Next."

3. Name your blog and complete the url. Make sure the name reflects the purpose of the blog. Click on the orange arrow: CONTINUE.

3. Name your blog. The name should reflect the purpose of the blog. Select a language. Check the privacy box. Check "Signup."

4. Choose a template. Click on the orange arrow: CONTINUE.

4. You will receive an email. Login in to your blog with the password sent to you.

5. Click on the orange arrow: START POSTING. Make a posting and give it a title. Click on the orange button: PUBLISH POST.

5. Click on the "write a post" link. Make a posting and give it a title. Click "publish" to send it to your blog.

If you choose to use Blogger, you might want to have a look at the visual tutorials at Vance Steven's Blogger Tutorial or Andy Johnson's How to Use Blogger.

Learnling More: These are just barebones instructions to get started. Once you are comfortable using your blog, you can delve into more advanced features to enhance your its look and functionality. Start by using the Help Sections to learn how to add photos, podcasts, and much more!

Here are links to a few of the many other blog hosting tools available online that you can also use to create your blog.

Bravenet

Motime

LiveJournal

Return to Home Page: What is a Weblog?


Creating ESL/EFL Weblogs - TOPICS CALL Pages - ©2003-2008 - Created by Sandy Peters - topics.mag@gmail.com