by on 2016-03-02

WordPress Work!

This is the post for the Wednesday, March 2, 2016 class meeting.

Important Dates

  • Darth Vader, with the caption, Damn You WordPress!March 4: WordPress Portfolio due by 11:59 PM
  • March 18: End of Portfolio Grace Period at 11:59 PM

Today

You have time to work on your WordPress sites. I will help as I can.

Refer to the Giant Page of WordPress Resources for help with WordPress.

Use the  Ten Design Tips to make wise design choices.

Friday

Class will work online. There will be no class meeting in Shanks and no office hours.

Finish up work on your portfolio, and submit by 11:59 on Friday, 3/4:

  1. Go to the WordPress Portfolio quiz in Canvas. While we are using the Quiz tool, your Portfolio is still a major project in the course.
  2. Consult the rubric to see how the sites will be graded.
  3. If you like, you can use the WordPress Portfolio Worksheet to gather your answers before pasting them into Canvas. You will NOT turn in the worksheet. It’s for your personal use only.
  4. Work through the questions in Canvas to ensure you have included all of the required elements.
  5. Submit the quiz when you are done.

If you need more time to work on your site, use the Grace Period, which ends at 11:59 PM on Friday, 3/18. If you turn in your work, I assume it is ready to be graded. Remember that there are no rewrites or revisions after work is graded.

Homework

For Monday’s session (3/14), do the following before class:

  • Read Chapter 1 of Writer/Designer and be ready to apply what you read about the modes of communication in class.
  • We’ll start our next mini-project in class, using information from the text. You may want to bring it to class.

 
Last updated on 2nd March, 2016, 12:47 PM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With: , , ,
by on 2016-02-29

Peer Review for WordPress Portfolios

This is the post for the Monday, February 29, 2016 class meeting.

Important Dates

  • Surprised dog meme, with the caption, What do you mean I'm not perfect?Today: Peer review in class
  • March 4: WordPress Portfolio due by 11:59 PM
  • March 18: End of Portfolio Grace Period at 11:59 PM

Canvas Documentation (in case you get stuck)

Portfolio Peer Review and Revision

In class today
Give feedback to the two classmates who are assigned to you,  following the instructions on the course website. If you did not turn in your site by 11:59 PM Sunday, you will not have peer review partners, so you may work independently on your site instead.

Once you finish giving feedback to your classmates, use your class time to continue work on your site. The students who review your site may not be in the same section that you are, so you may have to wait for your feedback.

After 2:30 PM today
Revise your draft based on the peer feedback you received, using the Canvas Documentation to find your peers’ feedback. It is possible that there may be a slight delay in receiving feedback if your partner is sick or something similar.

Homework

For Wednesday’s session (3/2), do the following before class:

  • We’ll go over how to turn in your portfolio, and you will have additional time in class to work on your portfolios.

For Friday’s session (3/4), do the following instead of meeting in the classroom:

  • Class will work online. There will be no office hours.
  • Finish up work on your portfolio, and submit your work following the submission instructions (not yet posted) by 11:59 on Friday, 3/4. If you need more time to work on your site, use the Grace Period, which ends at 11:59 PM on Friday, 3/18. If you turn in your work, I assume it is ready to be graded. Remember that there are no rewrites or revisions after work is graded.

For Monday’s session (3/14), do the following before class:

  • Read Chapter 1 of Writer/Designer and be ready to apply what you read about the modes of communication in class.

 
Last updated on 29th February, 2016, 10:18 AM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With: , ,
by on 2016-02-26

Portfolio Reminders

This is the post for the Friday, February 26, 2016 class meeting.

Tips and Resources for Your Sites

In-Class Work

You will have time to work on your sites, and I will try to check in with everyone to answer questions.

In-Class Writing

Submit your portfolio site link and related information to the "Project 2 Peer Review" Discussion in Canvas, following the submission instructions by 11:59 PM on Sunday, 2/28. You can continue working on your site after you have posted your link for the peer review. You can also edit your post later if something changes.

If you still need to submit Your Individual Evaluation for the Stock Photo Project, follow these submission instructions to submit your work in Canvas.

Homework

For today, please do the following:

  • If you didn’t complete your "Project 2 Peer Review" Discussion Reply in Canvas, please use the grace period to finish by 11:59 PM Sunday (2/28). If you do not submit your draft by the end of the grace period, you will not receive peer feedback.

For Monday’s session (2/29), do the following before class:

  • Ensure that your portfolio site is ready for peer review.
  • Be prepared to provide feedback on your classmates’ sites in class. We will use the Peer Review tools in the Discussions in Canvas.

For Wednesday’s session (3/2), do the following before class:

  • We’ll go over how to turn in your portfolio, and you will have additional time in class to work on your portfolios.

For Friday’s session (3/4), do the following instead of meeting in the classroom:

  • Class will work online. There will be no office hours.
  • Finish up work on your portfolio, and submit your work following the submission instructions (not yet posted) by 11:59 on Friday, 3/4. If you need more time to work on your site, use the Grace Period, which ends at 11:59 PM on Friday, 3/18. If you turn in your work, I assume it is ready to be graded. Remember that there are no rewrites or revisions after work is graded.

 
Last updated on 26th February, 2016, 1:44 PM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With:

Giant Page of WordPress Resources

The assignment is to create a WordPress portfolio site that will help with your job search, internship applications, or grad school applications. You should be using the blogs.lt.vt.edu version of WordPress for this activity. You need the following required content:

  • Posts: You need at least two posts on topics related to your career goals and portfolio topic.
  • Pages: You need the following:
    • an about page, where you tell visitors about yourself. You can revise your identity statement for this page.
    • a site information page (like a colophon in a book), where you tell us about the tools you used and the design decisions you made. Be sure that you give credit for any resources (like an image) that you use.
    • pages necessary for your portfolio, such as pages for your creative works or essays you have written.

Lynda.com Videos on the Basics

Themes

If your Theme doesn’t work, the only real option is to change it to another Theme. Make sure that the text is legible, with adequate contrast. Be sure that the menus work properly, and that all the images appear correctly and blend in well with the rest of the site. Be sure to avoid distracting backgrounds.

Some Themes allow you to change nearly every color and font; others allow nothing. Look in the Customizer for the available options. Realize that if you do change the settings, you will need to test your site fully to make sure everything works properly. Try watching this Lynda.com video on Customizing your Theme for more help.

If you want your homepage to show something other than your blog posts, watch the Lynda.com video on Changing what the home page displays.

If you are using the Twenty-Fifteen theme, the Lynda.com video on the that theme can help you.

Menus

The number of menus and their location on the site will vary by Theme.

  • Go to the Customizer, and click the Widgets tab.
  • Choose an existing menu, or Add a menu.
  • Use the Add items button to place pages, links, and other resources in your menus
  • Arrange the items in your menu
    • Drag the items up and down until you have the order you want.
    • Drag the items left or right to arrange submenus.
  • Choose a location for your menu (without a location the menu will not show on your site).
  • Save and Publish the menu when you are done.
  • Watch the Lynda.com video Creating and customizing menus if you need more information.

Your Theme may have a Social Menu that will add social media icons. You will need to connect your social media sites when you set up the menus.

Widgets

  • Go to the Customizer, and click the Widgets tab.
  • Click the Add Widgets button to see the options that are available.
    • Browse the list and try any that are interesting to you.
  • Watch the Lynda.com video Using widgets if you need more information.

Plugins

Use Plugins to add functionality and special content to your site.

  • Go to the Plugins tab on the left to see the tools that are available.
    • Browse the list and try any that are interesting to you.
    • Try the Visit plugin site link for more information on them.
    • Avoid any that require a premium ($$$) upgrade.
    • After they’re installed, look for settings or options; or look for more info in Widgets.
  • Recommended Plugins:
    • JetPack: enables proofreading, Contact Forms, and more. Requires a WordPress.com account (Sign up).
    • Google Doc Embedder: embed PDF, MS Office, TIFF, and many other file types. Upload the file just like you upload an image and insert it in your page or post.
    • iframe: embed content from YouTube, Vimeo, SlideShare, SoundCloud, Twitter.

Images and Other Media

To add a image:

  • Go to the Edit screen for a page or post that you want to add an image to.
  • Click the Add Media button at the top (between the title and the toolbar).
  • Click Upload Files.
  • Navigate to your image (or drag it into the window), and click Open to upload it.
  • Click the Insert into Page (or Insert into Post) button to add it.
  • Click on the image to bring up buttons to change how it appears on your page.
  • Be sure to Update the page or post to save the changes.
  • Watch the Lynda.com video Adding images for more help.

To add several images to a gallery, watch the Lynda.com video on Creating image galleries.

If your Theme has a slider on the homepage, you may need to add featured images.

To add a YouTube video or other content, watch the Lynda.com video on Adding content from YouTube and similar sites.


 
Last updated on 26th February, 2016, 10:29 AM
by on 2016-02-10

Portfolio Appearance

This is the post for the Wednesday, February 10, 2016 class meeting.

Doge Meme with WordPress phrasesFor extra help with the features we cover today, watch the Lynda.com videos on “Changing the Appearance of Your Site” (45m59s). Choose whatever portion of the videos you need.

I will use the 3844 Portfolio Demo site on Blogs@VT to provide examples.

Required Portfolio Contents

  • Posts: You will include at least two posts on topics related to your career goals and portfolio topic.
  • Pages: You will write the following:
    • an about page, where you tell visitors about yourself. You can revise your identity statement for this page.
    • a site information page (like a colophon in a book), where you tell us about the tools you used and the design decisions you made. Be sure that you give credit for any resources (like an image) that you use.
    • pages necessary for your portfolio, such as pages for your creative works or essays you have written.

Creating Some Placeholder Pages

Use the outline that you created for homework to create some pages for your site.

  • Go to the Pages tab on the left, and then choose Add New.
  • Use the titles you have on your outline. You will be able to change these later if necessary.
  • In the body, add some temporary text. You will update the page later.
  • Click the Publish button in the right sidebar to save your page and make it live.
  • Repeat this process so that you have several pages to work with in the following steps.

Setting Up Menus

  • Go to the Appearances tab on the left, and choose Menus.
  • Give your menu a name. PrimaryMenu is a good choice.
  • Click the Create Menu button.
  • Change the Settings at the bottom if you like. I recommend clicking "Primary Menu" for Theme Location.
  • Select all the Pages on the left (these are the placeholders you made).
  • Click the Add to Menu button.
  • If desired, add any links as menu items (e.g., if you want your LinkedIn page as a menu item).
  • Customize your menu:
    • Drag the menu items around to get the order you would like. You can change these later.
    • Click on the downward-pointing triangle to change the text of the menu item or add a title attribute (pop-up text).
  • Click Save Menu button at the bottom right when you are happy with your arrangement.
  • Check the menu on your homepage. Made any adjustments that you like.

Quick Editing and Removing Sample Content

You can make some simple changes without going in and editing a page or post.

  • Click on Pages (or Posts), and the list of your pages will appear.
  • Hover over the title of one of your pages, and a row of links will appear under the title.
  • Click Quick Edit.
  • Make your changes, and click Update.

To make the same change to several files, on the list of pages:

  • Click the checkbox beside the titles of the pages or posts you want to change.
  • Choose Edit from the Bulk Changes menu at the top of the list.
  • Click the Apply button beside the menu.
  • Make your changes, and click Update.

Adding Images

  • Go to the Edit screen for a page or post that you want to add an image to.
  • Click the Add Media button at the top (between the title and the toolbar).
  • Click Upload Files.
  • Navigate to your image (or drag it into the window), and click Open to upload it.
  • Click the Insert into Page (or Insert into Post) button to add it.
  • Click on the image to bring up buttons to change how it appears on your page.
  • Be sure to Update the page or post to save the changes.

In-Class Writing

Go to Quizzes in Canvas and choose the "WordPress Appearances" quiz to let me know what you have done so far and ask any questions. I will address any major questions in class on Friday.

Homework

For today, please do the following:

For Friday’s session (9/18), do the following before class:

  • We’ll talk about plugins (which add functionality, like the ability to embed PDFs and videos).
  • Sign up for a WordPress.com account, so that you can enable the Jetpack plugin on Friday. 
  • Begin adding content to the pages on your site. You should have a draft ready on Tuesday.

 
Last updated on 10th February, 2016, 12:33 AM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With: , , ,
by on 2016-02-08

Getting Started on Portfolios

This is the post for the Monday, February 8, 2016 class meeting.

Frog Meme, with caption, I find your WordPress site ribbiting.Today we’re diving into WordPress and learning about some of the features built into the publishing tools. By the end of today’s session, you should have created a WordPress site.

Creating Your Site

If you have used WordPress before, you are free to work at your own pace. Otherwise, follow along as we complete these tasks:

  1. Remember that your blog will be public, so think of a URL and a professional name that you can share with the world.
  2. Choose one of the following options, depending upon whether you have used WordPress.com before:
    • If you have never used Blogs@VT before, sign up for your own blog.
      • Enter a Username and Email address. Leave "Gimme a site" marked. Click the Next button.
      • Choose the Site Name (which cannot be changed) and Site Title. Leave everything else at the defaults. Click the Signup button.
      • Go to your vt.edu email address, find the activation email, and click the link inside to finish setting up your blog.
    • If you have used Blogs@VT before, log in.
      • Click My Sites at the top left side of the page.
      • Click the "Add New" button at the top of page, beside the My Sites header.
      • Choose the Site Name (which cannot be changed) and Site Title. Leave everything else at the defaults. Click the Signup button.

Setting Up the Basics for Your Site

  • Go to the Users tab on the left and then choose Your Profile to update your profile and login information. You can change the way that your name is listed with each post, for instance. You can also change your password on this page.
  • Go through the Settings tab and update the information. In particular, be sure that you do the following:
    • Go to the General setting and fix the timezone. You can also change the Tagline here.
    • Go to the Discussion setting and decide when you want the site to email you.
  • Don’t worry about the menus or sidebars. We’ll work on that Wednesday.

Creating Your First Post

  • Go to the Posts tab on the left and then choose Add New.
  • For the "Enter title here" field, choose one of these options, filling in the blank with whatever makes sense for your goals:
    • Why I Want to Be A/An ___________
    • Why I Want to ___________
    • Why I Love ___________

    For instance, I might use the title, Why I Want to Be A Teacher, Why I Want to Teach, or Why I Love Teaching.

  • Click on the Text tab if you want to code your own HTML.
  • In the body, tell readers about your career decision. This is just a first draft. You will update the page later.
  • Use the toolbar to add any formatting or links.
  • Click the Publish button in the right sidebar to save your page and make it live.
  • Go to your blog’s homepage, and your post should be on the front page.

If you need help creating posts, watch these Lynda.com videos:

In-Class Writing

Go to Quizzes in Canvas and choose the "WordPress Site Address" quiz to post the address of your WordPress site. I will use the link to check that you have your blog created and have written a draft of your first post, and to set up a megablog (sometimes called a motherblog) that includes everyone’s updates.

Homework

For today, please do the following:

  • If you didn’t complete your "WordPress Site Address" quiz in Canvas, please use the grace period to finish by 6 PM Tuesday (2/9).

For Wednesday’s session (2/10), do the following before class:

  • Outline your site, either on paper or using something like Word or Google Docs. Account for the following in your outline:
    • The menus you want to have, and what kinds of information will go under them.
    • What will appear on your homepage (Will it be static or changing? Lots of images or lots of words?)
    • What artifacts of your work/qualifications do you want to include?
    • Features you saw on the sites you gathered as examples.
  • Begin the process of exploring themes for your site:
    • Go to the Appearance tab on the left, and choose Themes.
    • Try the Live Preview to see test out a theme.
    • Choose the Save & Activate to apply the Theme and any changes you have made to your site.
    • Don’t worry about menus or how the sidebars work for now.
  • If you need help, try the WordPress Documentation and FAQs. Try contacting 4Help if you need additional help outside of class. Also remember that you can use the step-by-step WordPress Tutorials & Training at Lynda.com.

 
Last updated on 8th February, 2016, 12:25 PM
Filed Under: Class Notes Tagged With: ,