1) Create a New Blog

1.  Go to https://hawksites.newpaltz.edu/wp-signup.php
2.  Login
3.  Scroll down. Choose your own site title (just include your first name so we can identify you!) You have a few design choices, but don’t sweat it. Use the New Paltz Migration Theme (SemPress).  You’ll have more choices once your blog is created.
4. If you have already made a blog for another class, you MUST make a new one for this class.

2) Join a Class

1.  Login into your blog dashboard.
2.  Go to My Class > Join a Class.
3.  Search for your class blog by entering: s23are302
4. Click Send a request to join. 

3) Navigate between dashboards

Once I approve your request to join the class you will be added as user to the class blog and your student blog will be accessible to your classmates and me.
You will have access to both the class blog and your student blog dashboard.
You will see less menu items if you are logged into the class blog dashboard.

To publish posts you need to be on your student blog, not the class blog

Changing blog dashboards is as simple as:

1. Go to My Sites dropdown menu in your admin bar.
2.  Click on the dashboard of the blog you want to access.

4) Posts, Categories, Menus, and Pages

In general, we will be using posts rather than pages, because they are more dynamic. (If you want to create pages to display your artwork or other static info, go ahead.)
We will use Categories to create virtual pages, by labeling posts that you want to display together.

You can decide what categories you would like to include.  Start with “About Me,” Class Assignments” and “My Art.” You can add other categories related to stuff you’d like to share with the class, such as My student’s artwork,  \Other Artists, Favorite Websites, Hobbies, etc…

Dashboard > Posts > Categories > add new category  (you can add “class assignments,” “personal work” and whatever other categories you would like to have)

Then Dashboard > Appearance > Menus You can add categories to your menu to help visitors navigate your blog.  (The same post can sit in more than one category.)

At the bottom of the Menu Structure is a checkbox entitled “Primary Menu.” Make sure that is selected so that your Menu will show up in your theme’s Navigation Bar. And don’t forget to click Save Menu!  Then click on Visit Site to make sure your menu shows up on your page.

Properties of a Page

Properties of a Post

Blog pages are displayed independently of post history and are more static.  They remain the same from day to day since they are rarely updated Normally used for information that you want to share with readers but don’t expect to update frequently. Pages don’t have time stamps so don’t show the date they are published. Blog pages can appear anywhere in your blog depending on your theme. You can change the order pages appear. You can’t assign category and tags to pages. Pages don’t appear in RSS feeds so readers need to visit your blog to view latest page updates. You can create sub-pages which you assign to a parent page to create nested pages.

Blog posts appear in reverse chronological order so that the most recent posts is the first post that your readers see. Post are dynamic and updated regularly. Posts have a time show which displays the date and time the post was published. You can assign categories and tags to posts which make them easier to find. Posts appear in RSS feed so readers who subscribe to your blog will receive your latest post in their RSS reader. Posts display the name of the post author.

 

5) Customize your Blog

This is the fun part!  Click on  “customize” which opens up a menu on the left side of your blog.  Here you can change the appearance of your blog and add widgets.  Try out different themes and colors.  You can change your title and tagline in “Site Identity.” You can upload your own artwork to use as design elements.

The customizing options that are available are different, depending on on which theme you have chosen.  You may have more options than those listed below.

Play with different themes.  These are premade WordPress templates which were made to accomodate a variety of purposes and tastes.  Pay attention to form AND function.You can change them any time!

The site identity allows you to change the site title and tagline.  Use some version of your name in the title so we know its your blog.  The tagline can be anything you want, your personal philosophy or line from a poem or song… remember this too can be changed at anytime, so don’t overthink it.  The site icon. is the logo that appears in the tab at the top of your browser window.  It needs to be able to be read when it is very small, so keep it as simple as possible.

You may have a Header Image or Logo, depending on the theme you chose.    Pick an image which represents your personal aesthetic, preferably your own original artwork

Pick you favorite colors, but make sure they are readable!

Keeping the reader in mind you may want to skip the Background Image as that can easily make your blog appear cluttered. Use your own aesthetic, judgement.