ブログをはじめましょう！

みなさん！

As I told you before, we'll try blogging in Japanese this semester.

But why?

Here are some reasons.

1. It's fun.

It might be intimidiating at the beginning but once you know that you can communicate so much in Japanese, it'll be fun. I hope so. I hope you hope so, too.

2. It gives you a chance to use your Japanese with other Japanese users (native or non-native; in Japan or anywhere) for real purposes.

What's the point of learning a language, if you are not goint to use it? Use Japanese to communicate with other Japaense learners in this class, other classes on our campus or other schools, "REAL" Japanese people in Japan (or anywhere else) who are not Japanese teacher like me.

3. You learn.
That's why you are here, right? You learn from your classmates, other bloggers, readers to your blog, readers to others' blog, etc. Actually you learn from yourself, too. As you write, you might discover things that you were not previously aware of...

Let me know when you think of more reasons...


Requirement:なにを　しなければなりませんか。

0. Know some common sense (I think you are all mature enough to know these. But to be safe, here's some.)

Be aware of risks on the internet including identity theft. Avoid using your real name or other personal information.

Be respectful and polite to others. When your classmates read your blog and leave you a comment, thank them in person or in the commenting section on your blog entry (by leaving a reply to their comment). You can also visit their blog and read (and maybe leave a comment), too.

Don't reveal others' sensitive information such as secret (dirty or not dirty), embarrassing stories, or anything that might harm their reputation or at risk.

Refrain from using abusive language.

１．じぶんのブログを　つくる。
Follow the directions（ブログのつくりかた） below.

２．ブログを　いっしゅうかんに　いちど　かく。
1st post is due by the end (midnight) of Sunday, 2/4.

３．ほかのひとのブログをよむ。
Regularly read classmates' blogs. You might find some of them more interesting than others. But, do try to at least scan what they wrote.

Email URL to me as well as the helpdesk.
I will link your blog to this classblog. You can follow those links or you can use your RSS reader(or aggregator). What is RSS reader?

４．コメントをかく。
If you find your classmate's blog post interesting, you have something to add, you want to ask a question for clarification or for any reason, you can leave a comment.

５．コメントの　へんじ(reply)を　かく
When you get a comment, try to reply to the comment. If you don't reply, they might be discouraged to come back and read your posts again because they might feel they were ignored.


ブログのつくりかた
1) Go to http://www.blogger.com to open your blog.

1. Select "Setting"s from the top tabs. Click "Formatting" and select "Universal" for "Encoding" so that you can type Japanese.
2. In order to receive comments from as many people as possible, please select "Comments" and choose "Anyone" for "Who can comment" section.
3. If you want to know how to type Japanese, please click any of these links listed below and on the right side.

• Windows/ Typing Japanese on computer
• Windows/ Japanese Language Typing Help
• Windows/ How to Display and Type Japanese on Your Computer
• Windows/ Using Japanese Text Input on a Microsoft Windows PC
• Mac/ Japanese for Your Mac
• Mac/ Japanese Text Input Guide for Mac OS X(PDF)

2) Send your blog address to the helpdesk (helpjpcu@gmail.com) and me.

• If you have trouble opening a new account, please let me know.
• If you already have a blog and if you can use Japanese (e.g., you opened a blog last semester in my class), you do not have to open a new account.
  

3) Post a blog entry once a week. The first entry is due Sunday, 2/4 .
Let's all introduce yourself in Japanese.

You can answer such questions as

どうして　にほんごを　べんきょうして　いますか。
しごとを　していますか。
せんもん（せんこう）は　なんですか。
なにが　すきですか。
やすみの　ひに　なにを　しますか。
しゅみ　が　ありますか。
どこから　きましたか。
にほんや　がいこくへ　いったことが　ありますか。
いま　なにが　しりたいですか。
いま　なにが　ほしいですか。

There is NO requirement for how long it should be. You can edit as many times as you wish.

What if you have grammar mistakes?
Try your best to be accurate as possible so that your readers will understand. But there is no penalty per se for making mistakes.