Instructor Introduction

Welcome to Blogger!

Before anything else, let me reduce your fears--I know many of you may feel intimidated and overwhelmed by the process of creating and maintaining a teacher Web site. You are probably thinking, “I’m a teacher, not a Webmaster!” The good news is I will not try to make a Webmaster out of you. Do not think of your Web site as something extra you are going to do; rather, think of it as an improvement on and replacement for some things you are already doing with student collaboration and connecting with parents.

Relax and know you are in good hands. Not only have I been creating Web site professionally since 1995, I have also been teaching people how to do so since 2000 at the collegiate level at Webster University. I was using Web creation tools from the very beginning; in fact, I remember when there were only a few tools for creating Web sites beyond pure computer coding of HTML, and I tried out all of them (anyone remember HoTMetaL Pro?).

Nowadays, the tools for making a Web site are very advanced, very slick, and made for non-Web programmers like yourself. I guarantee you that with Blogger, you have the simplest and best tool for the task of creating and maintaining a teacher Web site. If you have ever edited a Word document or Google Document, you have most of the skills you need to get started. I know the tools you have had available before--they were not fun. Not to oversell it, but as you learn Blogger you will also learn creating your site can be fun and get help further engage your students and parents beyond anything you have made before.

So rest assured--while I know the ins and outs of HTML and all that goes into Web creation, I am also a teacher, first and foremost. I will not try to impress you will bells and whistles--my focus will be on how to make you a better teacher, a better communicator, and to do so in less time than you have previously been spending on making a Web site. I know as a teacher that Blogger will help transform how you teach!

Learner Introduction

To get us started, I would like each of you to get to know a bit about each other. I want to keep it relevant to our learning about Blogger, but I also want to remind you of something that you might lose sight of as you complete this course--the Internet can be fun! Most of us browse the Web because we enjoy doing so. Sure, we have our work to do, but when work is done, many of you likely unwind by using the Internet for more pleasurable reasons.

I would like you to do two things in this starter discussion.

Firstly, share the addresses of two Web sites, ones that you browse that may have nothing to do with your work. One of the two sites should be an example of what you think is a well-designed Web site. The other should be an example of one that you think is not well-designed. I encourage you to choose sites that reveal a bit about yourself--your personal interests outside of the workplace. The important thing about this is that you should not tell us which one is which! Simply share two Web site addresses without commentary!

Secondly, once you have shared the addresses of your Web sites, view what others have shared, browse their Web sites, and comment on at least two other people’s choices, including what you like and do not like about their choices. Feel free to comment on the content of the site, but include some of your thoughts on the design of the site.

While most of you may agree on the choices, you may be surprised that some might criticize what you think is good design, while others may praise what you think is bad design. That is why you should not tell others which is your good one and which is your bad choice. Keep it interesting and honest...but polite!

(Click "Add comment" below to add your two sites to this discussion. Then be sure to click "Reply" and respond to at least two of your peers' sites.)

http://watchafl.afl.com.au/

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/