02a-Registering on the Blog

Before you post to the blog for the first time, you will need to register on WordPress.com–unless you already have a WordPress account (my students from last semester do).   Click Signup Now in the upper right and use your GMU user name and email address; write down your password (or use one you will remember).  Leave Gimme a blogunchecked. I will use your GMU email address to give you write privileges on the blog.  Because this may take a while, you may want to begin your writing using an HTML editor or Word (saving the file as a web page ).

Once you are fully have registered, you should see a New Post link at the top of the page.  Give your post a title like “Introduction,” and enter the text of your post in the box under Post.  You should see a check box with your name under People at the top right of the Write page as one of the categories.  Also check Introductions before you click on Publish.

You will follow this procedure in future posts except that you will chose different titles and check different categories to correspond to the assignment.  If you do not check these categories, you will not receive credit for the assignment.

02b-Posting and Revising

When you post, remember to check the appropriate categories for that entry (Introductions, etc) using the box in the upper right of the posting area. Its especially important you check your name in the category box as well; otherwise, you may not get credit for your work and it will be much harder for the class to see what you have to say.

To make your posts, click on the New Post link in the blue area at the top right of the page. Then enter the title of your post (Assignment 2-14, the work discussed) and your name in the title box and your essay itself in the Posting box.

Adding/Revising an Existing Post

When you want to add to an existing post, go to that post and click | Edit | at the bottom of the post and then add what you want in the posting box. Remember to click Save so your changes appear. Also, make sure your name and the appropriate assignment are both checked in the categories list to the right of the page. Note that if you click Comment (the text will be No Comment if there are no comments yet) under your original posting, your additions will not be added to your earlier post. Commenting is a way of replying to a fellow student’s posting, not adding to your own. I will introduce this feature in class next Wed.

 

To find your posts, the easiest way is to click on your name under categories (in the lower right of the blog page) and then edit the post. If you have forgotten to categorize your posts, you can check the Uncategorized listing or read through the posts to find what you wrote. (Keep clicking on Older Entries at the bottom of the page(s) to find older posts). Checking the categories to begin with is a key element of the procedure so you can find what you have done easily. It’s also an essential step for you to receive credit for your work. It’s best to uncheck Uncategorized when you check your name and the assignment in the category listing on the post page so only uncategorized posts appear when you click on this link.

03-About the Mason Topics Engineering Link

This section of Engl 101 is linked to Engineering 107 as part of the Mason Topics’ Science, Technology and Society program.  There will be several shared assignments and special events in the two courses, including a Cinema and Supper series.  In Engr 107, you will be introduced to fundamental concepts in Engineering.  A design project will provide you with an opportunity to put into practice some of the engineering principles you have learned as well as develop your skills in collaboration and communication.  Engl 101 will enable you to improve your writing and research skills while you study the history of electrification in 19th century America.  In your English course, you will regularly work on collaborative research projects using a Wiki, post short essays on the class blog, and comment on each others longer papers using editing sheets I will prepare for each assignment.  You will also be required to do exercises from Diana Hacker’s Pocket Style Manual website keyed to my comments on your writing.  There will be several overlapping assignments in the two linked classes including a short essay on ethics, a preliminary design proposal and your final design project.

01-Syllabus

See the syllabus at
http://mason.gmu.edu/~kthomps4/101-mt7-f08/