This course was writing intensive. Throughout the course of the semester we were taught how to use Wordpress. Wordpress is an online blogging site that allows anyone with an account to create a website. We were asked to use Wordpress for many different assignments. We had weekly assignments and others in between. The use of Wordpress was to show us that we can build up our own community with a blog post. 

Every week we were asked to write about a certain chapter, topic or summary of an article. There were a variety of things that I learned while writing. Being able to write about something as a-posed to just reading it gives you a sense of being more involved in the process. These blog posts gave me the opportunity to give my opinion. I was able to recreate something that someone else wrote and make it into my own. 

Wordpress was not just about the text however. We were able to make the post come to life with visual aids. Some of the visual aids I used alongside my blog post were photos and videos.  These would also correlate with the text being written. It was always exciting being able to find a video or a picture that matched what I was writing. It was as if someone out there knew exactly what I was talking about. Prezi’s were incorporated into blog posts as well. This was a way to highlight the most important parts of blog posts and have an easy to read presentation to show off.  

One of my blog posts in particular talked about digital writing as this new concept that can take the place of newspapers and magazines. This is important to stay relevant on the internet because it is where everyone goes first to check out the latest content. In one of my blog posts I stated that the idea of new media writing is very relevant now as we are in this new digital age. The idea of just printing something in a magazine or in a newspaper is dead. Newsday has a website that, my bets, has more viewers than those who actually pick up the paper. Why carry around a big paper with so many pages, and it smells too. This is not convenient at all. The convenient thing is to get the app for your phone or tablet. It is very on demand when writing for a blog. Something can be written about and posted as the event is still happening. This is something I took into consideration while creating and maintaining my own personal blog. 

Working with Wordpress, I have learned many different things, not just about the contents of my writing but the idea of being able to create a name for myself. When you put yourself out there on the internet the possibilities are endless. There is always a chance for someone to see your blog posts. The post can be seen by a future employer. 

I believe that throughout the course of the semester my skills using online platforms has advanced. I know what needs to be included. When posting anything on a blog, everything must be accounted for. When using the word “Facebook” we must link to the website www.facebook.com every single time. When there is a specific article being discussed we must link to the article.  Wordpress will be something I take advantage of in the future. Coming into this class, I thought Wordpress was so complicated but I now see the light at the end of the tunnel and it does not look so bad.