Thing 1: Web 2.0 and blogging

Welcome to 13 Things for writers. This project will provide you an overview of how you, as a writer, can make the best use of Web 2.0. Some of you have a good idea (you're probably tweeting about it right now!), but you're looking for some new insights. Some of you haven't got a clue and are sick of hearing all this techie stuff! Throughout this project, I hope you gain a better understanding of how this concept is changing the way we write.

To set the stage, please watch the "Did You Know? (Shift Happens)" video below. This video is in its 4th version, and was actually created by one of Iowa's own, Scott McLeod. Scott is a professor at Iowa State, and is a well-known professional in the world of educational technology.

Here's another video. Do you notice the similar set up--tech music, quick cuts :-)

As a 20-something writer, you are expected to have a good handle on how Web 2.0 works. Author Marc Prensky ("Digital Natives/Digital Immigrants") calls you a "digital native"--you were practically born with a cell phone in your hand, and you learned keyboarding when people of my generation were learning cursive.

However, I've found that while many "digital natives" are great users of Web 2.0--you have facebook accounts and shop online--you're not necessarily in the drivers' seat. What about you? Do you keep a blog? Do you have a Twitter or Delicious account? Have you participated in the creation of a Wiki?

Maybe you have, and maybe you haven't, but one thing is sure: when you graduate, employers will expect you to be savvy about digital communication of all kinds. This project will help you reach toward that goal--and develop your own digital footprint.
Now that we've got some background and insight, let's get started!

THING 1: Building Your Blog
You'll use your blog to record your discoveries as you progress through the 13 Things. I recommend you use Blogger*, a popular free online blog hosting service that is easy to use.

Create a blog using Blogger is easy:

• Create a gmail account. Unfortunately, the Coe email address won't work to set up a blog. But that's OK. You'll need another address once you graduate anyway--to send out employment materials, etc. You can set up a gmail account right on the blogger site. Keep in mind that you probably don't want to send out resumes from an account called "hotmama@gmail.com." How embarrassing. Use your first and last name, or something similar.
• Set up your blog. Just follow the instructions. The "Display Name" is your name on the blog. You can use your first name, or an alias.
• Name your blog. Be creative.
  
• Select your template.


Once you've created your blog here are two important things to know:

• To add posts: the interface you will use to add posts, edit or change the set-up of your blog is "blogger.com," accessed at http://www.blogger.com. Be sure to write down your login and password.
• To view your blog: To read the blog, use the "blogspot.com" address. Your blog address is http://(xxxx).blogspot.com (xxxx)=the unique identifier (name) you entered in Step 2. Be sure to also write down your blog address.


If you run into questions or would like more information about blogs and using Blogger, check out Blogger's Quick Tutorial (just follow the orange arrows to learn more).

Discovery Exercise:
• Get your blog set up
• Add a post called "Thing One" (you can also give it a subtitle if you want). Address these two questions:
  a) So far, how have you been using Web 2.0?
  b) What interests you about Web 2.0--what would you like to learn about? Watch the above videos for inspiration.
• Click on "follow" at the top of this blog, so I can find your blog.