Getting Started

On the first day of studio, we must establish contact in several ways, including an attempt to contact me and create a live video and/or audio feed. I have reserved 112-C, the conference room in Gunnin library, for 3:00 - 4:00 pm on Wednesday, August 23 as well as 1 digital video camera, 1 tri-pod, one computer on which you may install software and speakers (please return all equipment at the end of studio). To make first contact, each one of you must do the following:

1. Read the BEYOND MEGA course description downloadable from the megarael website: http://megarael.blogspot.com/. This website will serve as the primary source of information regarding the studio including my contact information, assignments, schedules, updated class information and other pertinent data.

2. Using www.blogger.com, create your own personal web log (blog). This blog will document your studio development. Here you will post questions, comments, links to presentations and other relevant information. This will also serve as my primary source for commenting on your projects, grading, etc. It will also serve as an open-source method of receiving critique via the WWW.

3. Personalize your blog. Select custom templates and modify them so that they are uniquely yours (links, contact info, images, etc). As a group, learn about the basics of html and template customization. Write and publish your first studio blog entry commenting on your goals and expectations for the studio (150 words minimum).

4. Email a link to your personal blog and your SKYPE id to me.

5. Register for a SKYPE account at www.skype.com. This will allow us to communicate via the Internet through audio, video, text and file sharing.

6. Set up the conference room and attempt to conference with me by clicking the “call me” button on the megarael website at 3:30 pm EST

If for some reason you are unable to achieve conferencing capabilities, as a group you are to research and test other methods of communication. I will be available at that time for any questions you may have during that time.