Activity 3: Flickr

This week we’re exploring Flickr. This assignment is due on Tuesday, October 6.

• Read “7 things you should know about Flickr” and "My friend Flickr: A match made in photo heaven".
• Take the Flickr tour. You can explore Flickr photos, search the tags, view various groups, and more. Then, check out the Library of Congress's Flickr photostream.
• Choose a photo from Flickr and upload it to your blog. Examine the existing tags for the photo.
• Upload the photo to your blog. To do this, either review the video, How to create a blog in Blogger or follow the following Blogger directions for uploading a photo. This feature lets you add photos from your computer or from the Web and choose the placement (layout) in the blog post. The directions are highlighted below:

1. First, within Flickr, right-click on the photo you want to insert into your blog. Then, click “Save Picture As…” and save the file to your desktop or file space.
2. Second, within Blogger, click the little photo icon in the toolbar on the New Post page, in the row of tools above the post box. Follow the instructions to “Add an image from your computer.”

Post in your blog:

• Label this post Activity 3: Flickr.
• Indicate what tags were assigned to the photo originally, what additional or different tags you’d recommend, and why.
• What is exciting about the Library of Congress partnership with Flickr?
• Do you upload images to your Facebook account? How does Flickr compare? What are some differences?
• How do you feel about having your photos public (note that you can mark your Flickr photos private, too) -- any concerns?

Activity 2: Web 2.0

This week we're focusing on the basics of Web 2.0. This activity is due on Tuesday, September 29.

• Watch the videos
• The Machine is Us/ing Us
  
• Social Media in Plain English
• Read the articles:
• "Blogs, Podcasts, and Wikis: The New Names in Information Dissemination"
  
• "Tech-Bastion Mayo is Using Social Media as a Way to Reach Potential Patients"
• "From ATVs to Beauty Products, Companies are Atwitter about Social Marketing"

Post on your blog:

• Title this post, Activity 2: Web 2.0.
• From the examples in the readings, identify one specific use of social networking tools that you think is effective. Why do you think it is a good use of Web 2.0 technology?
  
• What is your reaction to companies using social networking spaces for advertising and marketing? Does this seem like an appropriate way for companies to connect with their customers?

Activity 1: Blogs

Ready to start blogging? Your first Learning 2.0 activity is to set up your own blog and add your first post. You will use your blog to complete all of the Learning 2.0 activities. This activity is due on Tuesday, September 22.

• View the video, "Blogs in Plain English."
• Create your blog.
• View the "How to create a blog with Blogger" video.
• Go to Blogger.com and start your blog.
• Give your blog a unique title. Your title is the name that will appear on the banner at the top of your blog.
• Be sure that you show comments.
  

• Under the Settings tab, click the Comments link and select Show.
  
• Under Who Can Comment, we recommend the second choice, Registered Users.
• Remember to Save Settings.

Post on your blog:

1. Clearly title your post, Activity 1: Blogs.
2. Write an introductory post reflecting on your experience with creating your blog.
   
3. Be sure to mention something you learned from the videos you watched.
4. Email your professor the URL and title of your blog:
• Robin Ewing at rlewing@stcloudstate.edu or
  
• Melissa Prescott at mkprescott@stcloudstate.edu