How to Start Blogging Using Blogger.com

Before any blogging website can be accessed, you must have a computer with internet access readily available. Open the internet browser of your choice (i.e. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Mozilla, or Safari) and continue with this tutorial.

1. Access the blogging website. For this tutorial's purposes, blogger.com will be the site of choice. If you already have a Google Account, you may use your email and password to login. Make sure to skip to step 3, of this tutorial. If you do not own a Google Account, then click on the orange arrow that says "create your blog now."

2. Create a Google Account. Insert the necessary information. For student's security, enter a pseudonym in the Display Name box. Make sure to read the Terms of Service before accepting. Click on the Continue arrow.

3. Name your blog. This should be the main topic or title of your blog. You can also create your own URL address at blogspot.com. If you would like to host your blogging site somewhere else, you may click on the Advanced Setup option.

If you wish to continue to Advanced Setup, you must fill in the following information and click on the Continue arrow:

4. Choose a template, or design for your blog site. Here you will have the choice of how your blog looks to the public. Once you have chosen your template, click on the Continue arrow.

5. Your blog site has been created. You may start expressing your opinions to the public.

6. Post your blogs by typing in a title, which in this case would be the subtitle to your blog site. Place your comments in the larger text box. Font changes, text color, and other formatting options are available here. If you are finished, click on the Publish Post link. If you are not ready to post, you may save a draft by clicking on the Save Now link.

Once you have finished and clicked on the Publish Post link, you will receive the following page:

7. To view your blog, click on the blue hyperlink View Blog. Here is a sample of a new blog. The title is "Education," the subtitle is "Distance Learning," and the post is shown underneath in black. The date, time and display name are shown in the blog as well. The public has the option to comment on the blog post as well as subscribe to the blog. Subscribing will email them everytime the blogger creates a new post. On the right of the page, you can view past blogs that have been archived as well as the blogger's profile.

To edit your profile, you must fill in the following information. You can pick and choose what information you wish the public to see and know about you. Also, you can choose to share your profile or make the profile private.

Creating a blog is quick and easy. Make sure to comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) and your School District's internet rules and regulations.