Account+Signup+and+Setup

=Account Signup and Setup Lab=

Geekery Level: Novice Level (everyone can do this!)

Time estimation: 15-45 minutes.

Description: There are accounts you will need to create to complete assignments for this class. These accounts are mandatory.

Google Account
You will need a Google Account as we will be accessing a number of Google services, including Google Documents and Google Plus. If you already have an active Google account that you don't mind using in this meta-professional context, you may skip this step.

Go to @http://www.gmail.com. Click on "Create an Account."

Note your username as you will be sharing back with Jason and potentially other students in class.

Twitter
Optional... but we will discuss this later this semester!

You will need a Twitter account as we will explore Twitter as a "professional learning network" tool and as a social media exploratory. You do not need to post personal information for it and you are free to use a pseudonym and shield your identity. However, you will be sharing this name with others in class. If you already have an active Twitter account you don't mind using in this meta-professional context, you may skip this step.

Go to @http://www.twitter.com. Fill out the "New to Twitter?" box.

Note your Twitter handle as you will be sharing back with Jason and classmates in class.

Blog
You will need a blog to complete the reflection assignments for this class. There will be an assignment of 10-20 blog entries over the course of the class. You do not need to post personal information on the blog and you are free to use a pseudonym and shield your identity. However, you will share the link to the blog with others in class. Even if you are actively blogging elsewhere, __**I want you to create a blog only for this class**__.

I do not require that you use a certain blog service. In fact, there is a lesson in the diversity of blogging platforms that we will be talking about later. I will not be giving you instructions on how to do this... just providing some suggestions. If you get stuck, ask for help.

Potential blogging platforms (I do not recommend or advocate any of these in particular. You may even want to compare and contrast a bit. :)):
 * Blogger - Recommended
 * WordPress - Recommended
 * EduBlogs
 * Blog.com
 * TypePad Micro
 * Tumblr - Limited functionality, not recommended
 * Blogetery
 * Weebly - Limited functionality, not recommended


 * Unless you are technologically advanced/fearless, consider using WordPress or Blogger for the best user experience.**

Note: EduBlogs is a great service, HOWEVER, the free version has significant limits on embedding media, something that will be required later.**