WordPress Training
WordPress Training
WordPress Training
Table of Contents
Abstract................................................................................................................................2
Objectives............................................................................................................................2
Description...........................................................................................................................2
Standards..............................................................................................................................2
Connections.........................................................................................................................3
Materials..............................................................................................................................3
Resources.............................................................................................................................3
Procedures............................................................................................................................3
Training Modules.................................................................................................................4
1: Introduction to Blogging & WordPress..................................................................4
2: Tour of WordPress....................................................................................................4
3: Plan a Website...........................................................................................................5
4: Create a Website.......................................................................................................5
Create an account.........................................................................................................5
Update Profile..............................................................................................................6
Create Title and Tagline...............................................................................................6
Manage Categories.......................................................................................................6
Manage Pages..............................................................................................................6
Manage Posts...............................................................................................................7
Change Theme.............................................................................................................7
Manage Widgets...........................................................................................................7
Manage Comments......................................................................................................7
Manage Blogroll..........................................................................................................8
5. Explore Some Websites............................................................................................8
6: Manage Your Website...............................................................................................8
Planning Your Site Form......................................................................................................9
Workshop Evaluation.........................................................................................................13
Workshop Survey...............................................................................................................14
Presentation Slide Deck.....................................................................................................15
Abstract
This project provides teachers with an introduction to website creation and training in the
online software tool WordPress. Instruction and support will be given to teachers on how
to create, update and manage their individual classroom websites using WordPress.
Objectives
Description
“Websites with WordPress” was designed to introduce, provide practice with, and
create a website using the on-line software application WordPress. Presentation,
demonstration/exercises, and Q & A will be the instructional methods used to achieve the
stated objectives.
The workshop has been divided into 6 training modules. Each module contains a brief
introduction, a list of objectives, and specific content. Each module, each will contain a
combination of screenshots, procedures, and text to deliver the information.
The first module provides an introduction to blogs and an overview of WordPress.
The second module is tour of WordPress user interface and illustrates its key features and
functions. The third module is guide to gathering the information needed to create a
website plan. The fourth module provides instruction and practice for a series of
individual tasks to complete. Step by step procedures and illustrations are used to
demonstrate how to complete each task. The fifth module is designed to provide time in
viewing the other workshop participants’ WordPress websites. Practice in how to leave
comments and review comments left by others will be given. The last module contains a
workshop summary, time for Q & A, and a list of WordPress resources.
The most effective method for the delivery of the content would be a face to face
training session. The training has been designed so that it can be completed individually.
By the end of the workshop participants will have learned the basics of blogging, the key
features of WordPress and how to plan, design, and create a website. The workshop
materials and a list of additional WordPress resources can be used by participants. The
instructor will be available throughout the year to offer assistance and help participants
manage their classroom websites.
Standards
The project addresses two ISTE National Technology Standards: Standard IB-
demonstrate continual growth in technology knowledge and skills to stay abreast of
current and emerging technologies and Standard IV D- use technology to communicate
with peers, parents, and the larger community in order to nurture student understanding.
Connections
Materials
Resources
The WordPress site itself offers a variety of free tutorials, documents, and forums that can
be accessed for help:
http://codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page
This is a free blogging community site that provides tools, examples and support for
educational blogging:
http://edublogs.org
Procedures
• Ask teachers to complete “Pre-Workshop Survey”
• Plan, schedule, and invite teaches to “Websites with WordPress” workshop
• Conduct workshop
• Ask teachers to complete “Post-Workshop Survey” and “Workshop Evaluation” forms
• Provide help and guidance throughout the year to teachers who are managing their
classroom website
Training Modules
History of WordPress
Started in 2003 with a bit of code to enhance typography
Now it’s the largest self hosting blogging tool in the world
Open Source
Can download and customize but easiest way is to use the WordPress.com site
2: Tour of WordPress
Mission Statement:
What am I going to do with this?
Who is going to read this?
What kinds of information will I be posting?
Why am I doing this?
Who am I doing this for?
How often am I going to be posting and adding information?
This website will be dedicated to X, Y, and Z. and cover the topics of A, B, and C. The
audience will be_____________________. I will be adding posts
every_________________ about_____________________. I am doing this because
___________________.
X, Y, and Z: purpose
A, B, C: categories
4: Create a Website
Create an account
Open browser and type in http://www.wordpress.com
Click Start your free WordPress Blog
Type in your “username” in the Username Box
Type in your “email address” in the Email Box
Check the box next to Legal flotsam
Click Next
Identify your site’s domain name
Enter your “Blog Title”
Click Sign Up
Open the email sent by WordPress and locate your password
Return to http://www.wordpress.com type in your “username” and “password”
Click Enter
Update Profile
Manage Categories
Add a Category
Click Manage in the topic menu bar
Click Categories in the sub-topic menu bar
Click Add New
Manage Pages
Edit Page
Click Edit for the page About
Delete the text in the Page Content section
Type your “Mission Statement”
Click Save
Create Page
Click Create Page
Type Daily Schedule in the Page Title box
Click Publish
Manage Posts
Delete a Post
Click Manage in topic menu bar
Locate the example post
Click Delete for the post
Click OK in dialogue box
Write a Post
Click Write in the topic menu bar
Click Write Post in the sub-topic menu bar
Type your “welcome message title” in the Title box
Type your “welcome message” in the Post box
Use the tool bar to edit and format your message
Click Uncategorized in the Categories box
Click Publish to publish your post to your website
Change Theme
Manage Widgets
Manage Comments
Click Comments
Delete comment
Email is received when new comments are written and posted
Manage Blogroll
Add a Link
Click Blogroll in the topic menu bar
Click Add Link in the sub-topic menu bar
Type “Environmental Kids Page” in the Title box
Type “http://www.epa.gov/kids” in the Address box
Check Blogroll in the Categories box
Click Add Link
Website Addresses
Identify the web addresses of the WordPress sites created by workshop participants
Make a list of these websites to use as a resource
Trade your website address with one other participant
Leave a Comment
Open up a new web browser window
Type in the “web address” of your partner’s site
Read the Introduction Post
Click Comment
Type “your name”
Type “your email address”
Type “your comment”
Click Submit Comment
Here are two excellent resources to help you expand, modify, and manage your website:
http://edublogs.org/features/
http://codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page
Planning Your Site
A good website comes from a good plan. It is now time for you to think about your own
classroom website. This form will help you plan, design, and develop your site.
Mission Statement
The first step in designing your site is to determine the purpose, content, and audience.
To help you identify these things, read the questions below and write a brief answer for
each one.
_______________________________________________________________________
_
_______________________________________________________________________
_
_______________________________________________________________________
_
_______________________________________________________________________
_
_______________________________________________________________________
_
_______________________________________________________________________
_
Compile the information from your answers to write a paragraph. This will be your
mission statement. Use the following template as a guide.
This website will be dedicated to X, Y, and Z. and cover the topics of A, B, and C. The
audience will be_____________________. I will be adding posts
every_________________ about_____________________. I am doing this because
___________________.
_______________________________________________________________________
_
_______________________________________________________________________
_
_______________________________________________________________________
_
_______________________________________________________________________
_
Now that you have your mission statement, think about what the title of your site should
be. Be creative but keep it simple. After you have decided on the title, you need to write
a tagline. A tagline is a short catchy phrase or slogan that describes the essence,
character, or attributes of your site.
Title: __________________________________________________________________
Tagline: ________________________________________________________________
Sidebar
You can personalize your site and deliver information you want by customizing your
sidebar. The information is organized into widgets, which are links the reader can use to
navigate within and to outside web addresses outside of your site. Here are just a few of
the widgets that can be added to your sidebar.
Circle these six widgets: Calendar, Archives, Blogroll, RSS Feed, Categories, Pages
1. ________________________________
2. ________________________________
1. ________________________________
2. ________________________________
3. ________________________________
Categories: Identify four different categories of posts
1. ________________________________
2. ________________________________
3. ________________________________
4. ________________________________
1. ________________________________
Calendar
Archives
Biographical Statement
_______________________________________________________________________
_
_______________________________________________________________________
_
_______________________________________________________________________
_
Title: _____________________________________
Message:
_______________________________________________________________________
_
_______________________________________________________________________
_
_______________________________________________________________________
_
Websites with WordPress
Workshop Evaluation
Usefulness 1-----------------2-----------------3-----------------4-----------------5
Format 1-----------------2-----------------3-----------------4-----------------5
Organization 1-----------------2-----------------3-----------------4-----------------5
Activities 1-----------------2-----------------3-----------------4-----------------5
Handouts/materials 1-----------------2-----------------3-----------------4-----------------5
I think I I have
Skill I can do it
know how no idea
Website Design
Write a mission statement
Write a title and tagline
Identify and create a navigation sidebar
Write a biographical statement
Write a welcome message
WordPress Software
Create an account
Update your profile
Create a Title and Tagline
Manage Categories
Manage Pages
Manage Posts
Change Theme
Manage Widgets
Manage comments
Manage Blogroll
Website Exploration
Locate a WordPress created site
Submit a comment on a WordPress site
Locate award winning WordPress sites
Website Management
Identify an online WordPress reference site
Presentation Slide Deck
Agenda
Introductions
Objectives/Purpose
Course Structure
Rules of Engagement
Surveys/Evaluations
Learning Modules
Questions and Answers
Introductions
Please introduce yourself:
Name
Previous experience with blogs and websites
What you want to gain from the workshop
Objectives
After this training you will be able to:
Identify the major components of a blog
Locate the key features of WordPress
Plan and design a website
Use WordPress to create a website
Course Structure
Presentation
Demonstrations/ Questions/Answers
Exercises
Rules of Engagement
Please do not access your personal email
Learning Modules
1. Introduction
2. Tour
6. Manage
3. Plan
5. Explore
4. Create
Introduction to Blogs & WordPress
1. Introduction
2. Tour
6. Manage
3. Plan
5. Explore
4. Create
What is a Blog?
Abbreviation of the words “Web and Log”
Ongoing chronicle of information
Frequently updated
Commonalities:
Main content area with posts
Archive of older posts
A way for people to leave posts
Links to other sites
One or more RSS Feeds (Real Simple Syndication)
History of WordPress
Started in 2003 with a bit of code
Created as a personal publishing software
The largest self hosting blogging tool in the
world
Open Source:
Everyone has access to it
Everything is written by and for the community
Free to use
Can download and customize
1. Introduction
2. Tour
6. Manage
3. Plan
5. Explore
4. Create
The Dashboard
To see the actual site Topic menu bar
Presentation: Widgets
Comments
Plan a Website
1. Introduction
2. Tour
6. Manage
3. Plan
5. Explore
4. Create
Mission Statement
First step is to determine the purpose, content, and
audience of your website
Think about the following questions:
What am I going to do with this?
Who is going to read this?
What kind of information will I be posting?
Why am I doing this?
Who am I doing this for?
How often am I going to be posting and adding
information?
Widgets
Here are just a few of the widgets you can add:
Calendar Archives Blogroll
RSS Feed Tag Cloud Top Posts
Search Vod: Pod Categories
Plug-ins Comments Flikr
Del.iciou.us Recent Posts
Search Pages
Identified Sidebar Widgets
Pages:
“About”, “Daily Schedule”
Blogroll:
“http://www.epa.gov/kids”, http://www.scholastic.com/kids
“http://www.yahooligans.com”
Categories:
“Ask the Teacher”, “Homework”,
“Weekly Bulletins”, “Special “Announcements
RSS Feed:
http://www.sciencenewsforkids.org/rss/SNK.asp
Calendar
Archives
Biographical Statement
A brief history of yourself
Include any professional, personal, or
educational information
What you want viewers of your site to know
about you
Username and Password
Words used to access your site
Choose ones that you can easily remember
Welcome Message
A brief message that welcomes viewers to
your site
Create a Website
1. Introduction
2. Tour
6. Manage
3. Plan
5. Explore
4. Create
Create an Account
Open browser and type in
http://www.wordpress.com
Click Start your free
WordPress Blog
Create an Account
Type in your
“username” in the
Username Box
Type in your “email
address” in the Email
Box
Check the box next
to Legal flotsam
Click Next
Create an Account
Identify your site’s
domain name
Enter your “Blog Title”
Click Sign Up
Create an Account
Open the email sent by WordPress
and locate your initial password
Return to http://www.wordpress
com
Type in your “username” and
“initial password”
Click Enter
Update Profile
Click Users on the topic menu bar
Click Your Profile in sub-topic bar
Update Profile
Type your “first name, last
name, and nickname” in the
Name section
Type your “autobiographical
statement” in the About
Yourself section
Type your “email” and
“website address” in the
Contact Info section
Type your “new password”
twice in the Password section
Click Update Profile
Manage Pages
Click on Manage in the topic
menu bar
Click on Pages in the sub-
topic menu bar
Edit Page
Click Edit for the page About
Delete the text in the Page
Content section
Type your “Mission
Statement”
Click Save
Manage Pages
Create Page
Click Create Page
Type Daily Schedule in
the Page Title box
Click Publish
Manage Posts
Delete a Post
Click Manage in topic
menu bar
Click on Posts
Locate the example
post
Click Delete for the post
Click OK in dialogue
box
Manage Posts
Write a Post
Click Write in the topic menu
bar
Click Write Post in the sub-
topic menu bar
Type your “welcome message
title” in the Title box
Type your “welcome
message” in the Post box
Use the tool bar to edit and
format your message
Click Uncategorized in the
Categories box
Click Publish to publish your
post to your website
Change Theme
Click Presentation in the
topic menu bar
Scroll down to find a theme
you like
Click on the “theme title”
(website is automatically
updated with new theme)
Scroll to the top and click
View Site
Click your browser’s back
button
Locate and click the theme
“Quentin”
Manage Widgets
Click Presentation in the topic
menu bar
Click Widgets in the sub-topic
menu bar
Manage Widgets
Double click on the Configure
Icon on the right side of the
widget
Locate the pop-up dialogue box
Type the URL address:
http://www.sciencenewsforkids.
org/rss/SNK.asp in the
RSS/Feed box
Type “Science Right Now!” in
the Title box
Manage Widgets
Add Calendar
Find the widget Calendar in the
Available Widgets box
Drag the widget Calendar to the
sidebar box
Manage Comments
Click Comments
Click Delete on “test
comment”
Click OK in dialogue box
Edit, delete, approve and un-
approve comments
Email is received when new
comments are written and
posted
Manage Blogroll
Add a Link
Click Blogroll in the topic menu
bar
Click Add Link in the sub-topic
menu bar
Type “Environmental Kids
Page” in the Title box
Type “http://www.epa.gov/kids”
in the Address box
Check Blogroll in the
Categories box
Click Add Link
Manage Blogroll
Repeat the steps above to
create links for the following:
“Scholastic Kid page”
“http://www.scholastic.com/ki
ds”
“Yahooligans”
“http://www.yahooligans.com
”
Explore Some Websites
1. Introduction
2. Tour
6. Manage
3. Plan
5. Explore
4. Create
Website Addresses
Identify the web addresses of the WordPress
sites created by workshop participants
Make a list of these websites to use as a
resource
Trade your website address with one other
participant
Leave a Comment
Open up a new web browser
window
Type in the “web address” of your
partner’s site
Read the Introduction Post
Click Comment
Type “your name”
Type “your email address”
Type “your comment”
Click Submit Comment
1. Introduction
2. Tour
6. Manage
3. Plan
5. Explore
4. Create
Resources
Here are two excellent resources to help you
expand, modify, and manage your website
http://edublogs.org/features/
http://codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page
Question and Answer
Please ask questions for additional:
Clarification
Help
Support
Concerns
Guidance
Evaluations
Please complete the Post-Workshop
Survey