Writing Posts for Our House Blog

How do I change my blog password?
1. On a Mac computer, make sure you are in Finder, and select Connect to Server from the Go menu
2. For Server Address, type students.dalton.org and then click Connect
3. Next to Name, enter your username
4. Then, click on the cog wheel and select Change Password…
5. Enter your old password once and your new password twice. Then, click on OK. (You may have to wait a minute for the window to close.)
6. Then, click on Cancel on the “Connect to Server” window.

Your password has been changed.

What if I forget my password?

If you forget your password, ask your teacher or someone from The New Lab (like Craig or Ms. Nickles) for help.

How do I post news on the House blog?

1. Login to the House blog.
2. Click on the Write a New Post at the top of the page.
3. Give your post a Title. (Example: First Two Weeks at Big Dalton)
4. Write your post.
5. Proofread: do a spelling check and the check for sense, punctuation, spelling (again!), and capitalization.
6. Scroll down to categorize your post in House News.
7. When you are finished, click on Save or, if you are finished, Submit for Review.
8. Logout of the blog.
9. Ms. Farnsworth will publish your post after she has approved it.

How do I edit a post?
1. Login to the House blog.
2. Click on Manage.
3. Click on the title of your post.
4. Make changes to your post and click on Save or, if you are finished, Submit for Review
5. When you are finished click on Logout

How do I scan an image for my blog?

1. On a Mac, launch the program Image Capture.
2. Open the scanner and place your image face down.
3. In Image Capture, click on the Overview button.
4. Use your mouse to select the portion you want to scan.
5. Set the Resolution to 75.
6. Set the save location to Desktop.
7. Name your file with your initials or username.
8. Click on the Scan button.

How do I upload an image to a post?

1. Login to your blog and start a new post.
2. VERY IMPORTANT: Click your mouse into the place you wish your image to appear.
3. Click on the Add Media button.
4. Next to Choose files to upload, click Select Files
5. Select the image from the Desktop and click OK.
6. After the image uploads, scroll down and click on the Insert into post button.
7. Resize the image.
8. Press Return to move your cursor to the next line to add a caption.
9. When you are finished uploading your image(s), click to Save your post.
10. TIP: Don’t use your backspace button to move your mouse cursor around your post or you might delete your image.

Responding to Posts

How do I comment on a post?
1. Login to the House blog
2. Click to View Site
3. Find a post and click the Comments link
4. Enter your comment using the guidelines below
5. When you are finished, click Submit Comment
6. Log out of the House Blog, and once Ms. Farnsworth has approved your comment, it will appear.

Questions to ask yourself as you read blog posts:
* did you learn something new?
* do you agree?
* do you disagree?
* if you find something that is interesting, can you explain why?
* is there something that you don’t quite understand? do you need more details?
* what can you add? what can you suggest? can you make other connections? (try not to repeat their ideas)

Comment Starters:
*I can relate to this because…
*This makes me think of…
*I discovered…
*I don’t understand…
*I was reminded that…
*I found myself wondering…
*This made me think about…
*I wonder why…
*Your writing made me form an opinion about…
*This post is relevant because…
*Your writing made me think we should…
*I wish I understood why…
*This is important because…
*Another thing to consider is…

What to remember when commenting:
* check for audience (security) and proofread your comment (spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and sense)
* ask yourself the questions above
* be respectful: politely express different opinions
* respond to the ideas, not the person
* be sure you are in the right blog
* write as if you are speaking to the individual in person–do not use IM speak