“In-class” assignment: Google Maps

Hope everyone is staying safe throughout the recent inclement weather. I’ve been vindicated in choosing to cancel class this evening, as WVU has followed suit in the face of frozen catastrophe from the skies. What better way to spend an evening in than by pulling up a computer and making a map?

Don’t panic – this won’t hurt much. What you need to do in lieu of class this evening is head to my friend Grant’s blog, where you’ll find a simple tutorial on creating a map in Google and adding it to your website or blog. Have a look through (we’re only dealing with step #1, unless you feel like going further), and use it as your guide for this assignment:

1. Write a post that incorporates location in some way (e.g., I went to this restaurant; I saw Da’Sean Butler here, or whatever). It does not need to be hard news (yet), but it should be a full-fledged posted.
2. Using the above guide, create a map in Google Maps with a marker for this location. You’ll use the same login you use for Google Reader.
3. Attach the map to your blog post just like you would an image (directions are included with the how-to link).
4. Publish!
5. Post the link (with a description of what’s being mapped) to the comments of this post.

This should be a simple assignment, so the due date is by the end of today (so midnight). The assignment is a quickie if you follow the directions, and you’ve all got this class time free. Get it written, get it posted, and be prepared to discuss your work in next week’s class. Tomorrow’s readings will deal further with the subject of location.

I don’t want you to overcomplicate this, but here are a few tips:

• Add markers by clicking on the name of your map in the left bar, then click the “Edit” button. The tools for markers and drawing appear in the top left corner of your map. If they don’t, you may need to re-click the map name (you MUST add these pointers).
• Test your post. If the map doesn’t look right, try re-copying and pasting the link.
• If the map is incorrectly zoomed on your page, click “link” then “customize and preview embedded map.” In the window that pops up, zoom the map in or out as necessary, then copy the text in the window below and paste it to your site. You can also change the size of the map here.
• You can see a sample post that shows what I want at my personal blog via this link.

If you’ve got questions, I’ve added a “chat” link to the left menu of the course eCampus page. I’ll be available here for Digital Office Hours from 6-830 p.m. this evening to answer questions – you can also use the chat window to discuss what you’re doing with the group.

Read & Respond will be posted tomorrow as usual.