In case you are wondering, NO, you will not have to learn a lot of HTML code (standard code for websites). 

We are using common free website and blog platforms for assignments. Therefore, the skills needed are not that different from learning how to use Microsoft Word. 

This course is not a Website Design or Computer Science course, but rather focuses on principles of professional online communication that will remain generally similar across a variety of genres and technologies in online media.

Web design skills & knowledge

You will learn a lot from the Redish text about "how to" develop good quality web content. 

From Surma, you will understand "why" and some of the social context issues & impacts of online or public/professional communication.

Technical help

What do you do when you are pulling your hair out over a technical issue? This course teaches you to be resourceful!  Try these solutions, in this order.

• Use embedded help features within the program. 
  
• Use Google to search for publicly posted Q&A about the issue you are having with a particular program
• Ask a peer in the course, or a friend or family member who has more technology skills than you.
• Post a message on the Group Pages. Your teammates may be encountering similar issues and this will help several people learn about the issue at once, and Dr. Smith & Carmen may also be subscribed to forums and may answer very quickly.
• Let Carmen know if you are encountering a problem that hasn't been solved through the above steps. She will consult with Dr. Smith on unresolved issues as they come up.

Wordpress and Google Sites

These platforms were chosen for their overall accessibility and popularity.  They were also chosen because they do not require one purchase expensive website editing software.

They were not selected for their flexibility in allowing all sorts of design features. They have flaws and limitations, just like Blackboard.  But you can get used to them quickly. 

The weaknesses of these platforms are part of your learning in this course.  It is a "technical communication" course and you should be learning to think critically about what works and what doesn't and why. 

You will also learn by comparing these two types of programs with one another, and by adapting skills from one to the other, you will develop more confidence with your adaptible technology skills if you do not already have confidence.

File compatibility

Submit and share files using highly compatible file types.

The most compatible file types are .doc, .pdf, .txt, .xls and .rtf

Office 2007 features do not normally produce compatible file types by default.  If you have Office 2007, the standard file will have an "x" at the end, as in ".docx."  You will have to click "save AS" and select ".doc"

If you have a nonstandard word processor, you can obtain Open Office software for free.  It has most of the features of Microsoft Office and can save in the most compatible file types.

When you obtain a Google Account for your Google Site, you will be able to upload and translate files to PDF.

File Sharing & Submission

Levels of privacy and sharing determine where the best place is to put a file.

Wide audiences

• Use blog/website content or page attachments only for information that you are authoring which is appropriate, and for information you have the permission to share publicly.
  
• Use Blackboard Group Discussion - Main to share information and documents with the whole class and the instructional team.  Name your message subject heading appropriately.  
• You may add an attachment to any Blackboard discussion message to preserve the original format of files shared. However, it might not be read because it takes effort to open an attachment.  When attaching files, blackboard requires the message window to contain some text, even X, or it will give you an error. 

Team audiences

• Use Blackboard Group Pages - File Exchange to share files with your team and instructional team simultaneously.
• Use a Google Site Team Management page created by your Editorial Coordinator for similar purposes, since the site will be set to be viewed by limited people.
• To organize your team's files in folders, I suggest using a free online storage system like www.Box.net.  I have used Box.net for more than a year and find it very handy. Box.net has other free bonus features that allow you to do many things with your files.
  

With an Instructor or individual team member

• Use Blackboard email (Communication - Tools) to send email to the instructor, individuals, teams, or the whole class. 
  
• However, Bb email places recipient addresses in BCC (blind carbon copy) for privacy and sends you a copy.  Therefore, if you want a recipient to know that the email is sent to multiple people, you will have to type their names into the email body, i.e. a line that says "TO: Brandy Wine, Thomas Tucker, and Alicia Pool"
  
• Use email to send files under 500kb to the instructor alone. Larger files will clog her email and frustrate her.
  
• Use Blackboard - Tools - Digital drop box - SEND file to submit a file over 500kb to the instructor alone.  The instructor will not receive a notification, so you will need to also email Dr. Smith if you want her to know it is there right away.  A correctly sent file will show "Submitted on (date)" under the file name.  However, if your entry says "Posted on (date)" that means you did not send the file, but added it instead, and Dr. Smith does not have it yet.  Click on it and then "send file."