Anita Foster

Changes coming to Typepad Compose Features

There are some really great changes coming soon (I say soon because they are not on my compose area as I am typing this) to Typepad when you compose your post. Watch this short video explaining the changes to come! (Thanks DeDee for the link!)

Google Docs Embedding

Google Docs is a great website that allows you to collaborate on documents, spreadsheets and presentations. You can upload the documents to your Google account at http://docs.google.com. Below in a post from my blogging course this summer, you will see that I embedded the presentation directly into my blog. This allows people to scroll through my presentation from my blog. Why would I want to do this? It allows me to not take up space on my blog account with documents and large files.

OK...now that you are sold on the concept...how do you do this? Upload your presentation (Power Point) to Google Docs.  Click on the Publish tab on the right once your document uploads. Copy the HTML Code to EMBED into your blog. When you post to your blog, write your text and then click on the Edit HTML and post the HTML Code below your text.

Have fun!!

Blogging Class Video

This week I have been teaching Basic Blogging and Advanced Blogging courses. This is the power point I used with links and information.

May 2007 Blogs of the Month

I would like to congratulate the May Blog of the Month winners!!

Carol Love from Nickajack
Deborah Greening from Hollydale
Kathleen Marino from King Springs

Congratulations!! Keep Blogging!!

Remember...this summer as you work on your blog you can set it to be posted on a date rather than when you create the post. At the bottom change "Publish Now" to "Publish On" and select the date you would like the post to appear.

Have a great summer!!

Another Great Blog Video

Here is another great Blog Video...Thanks Marcia!!

Perspectives on Blogging in the Classroom

I often preview or begin my Blog training with a short video created by Wesley Fryer. It is a great video to show the perspectives of blogging from the teacher and student points of view. I have always given Mr. Fryer credit for his video, but others have asked me to share it on my blog. Rather than posting the video, I would rather (copyright police here) send you to the direct link where it can be downloaded. Wesley Fryer's Blog with the Video. Wesley has some great things on his blog and he is in my Google Homepage for RSS feeds. Wesley Fryer's Blog

Blog of the Month

March 2007

This Blog of the Month for Hollydale has everything...pictures, information, documents and even comments! Way to go Ms. Patrick for your blog of the month!! Ms. Guin Patrick's Blog

February 2007

As I teach my schools about blogging and get them set up, I often go in about once a month to check on them and see how they are doing. Last month I visited Hollydale and gave the blog of the month to Mrs. Carter. Check out her blog and see the great things she is doing.

Calendar

Creating a calendar and posting in your blog is a very useful tool and very easy for you to do. First you need to have a Google account set up. Then once you login you can click on your personalized page and click on Google Calendar or you can click on More and go to the Google Calendar. Set up your calendar and then you need to share your calendar and make it public. (This does allow everyone on the Internet to view your calendar if they wish, so do not put private information, contact information or student sensitive information on the calendar.)

Then click on Calendar Details and the HTML button for Calendar Address. It will then walk you through the steps of embedding your calendar.

Please let me know if you would like for me to come and assist you and your team or school to set this up in your blog.

Calendar

Animated Graphics

If you would like to insert an animated graphic file into your blog you need to insert the graphic like you would normally, but click on "Use Custom Settings" before you save. Uncheck "Create Thumbnail" and "Popup Window" and then your animation will work. Please note, you must have a file that has already been animated. This will not animate a picture for you.

View this photo

Basic Blogging Tips

TypePad  has several ways you can add style to your blog.  In the toolbar you can change your font  size,  color, Bold, Italics, Underline, Strike through. You can insert links or email addresses.  You can add quotes!

You can make lists

• Bullet

1. Number

You can upload pictures

You can upload documents Download typepad_tools.ppt or Download BloggingHandout.pdf

But whatever you do...don't forget to Check Your Spelling!!

See the image below to see the tools on the toolbar.