Welcome to our new GE4224 Applied Biogeography module Blog.nus site – Conservation Biogeography of Singapore and Beyond. Please take a few minutes to share your field blog with the world – family, friends, and others in the module.

Here are some basic instructions:

Steps in Posting Your Blog and Images:

Step 1: Logging on – I have applied for passwords for each of you from NUS CIT. In a couple of days, you will get an email from CIT with your login info. You will then be able to log onto this site and post your blog draft.

Step 2: Add a New Post – At the top of the menu on the Dashboard of our Conservation Biogeography of Singapore and Beyond NUS blog site – select ‘Add New’ post. You can find the blog at:

https://blog.nus.edu.sg/ge4224appliedbiogeography

Step 3: Add your Blog and Title – Insert the content from your word document or pdf into the main content section, add your title at the top. Maybe sure to edit per my feedback.

Step 4:  Saving Frequently – Save your blog as a draft by clicking on the blue ‘Update’ button on the top of the menu to the right of the text. Make sure you do this frequently so you don’t lose anything.

Step 5: Insert Photos – Now, insert photos after each paragraph using ‘Add Media’ button at the top editing menu. (If your blog is in a format other than word, you might not need to do this.) Select ‘Insert into Post’.

Here is an example:

Mark Chong helping students sample water quality in the pond after the water has filtered through the Cleansing Biotope at Bishan Ang Mo Kio Park in Singapore in February 2021.

Step 6: Resizing Photos – Sometimes the photo is too large or too small. You can either resize it to Large or Medium size before you select ‘Import into Post’, or I just resize by selecting the photo corner and making it smaller or larger. You can also wrap the text around it if you prefer and move to the right, center, or left by left-clicking on the photo and selecting one of these options.

Step 7: Photo Captions – Insert a photo caption, by left-clicking on the photo and selecting the pen button. Then write a descriptive caption.

Step 8: Preview Changes – Make sure to check the sizing and format using the ‘Preview Changes’ button on the top of the right menu to review what your post looks like after being published. If your photo is too big make it smaller. If it is too small make it larger.

Step 9: Set Featured Image – On the menu bar to the right, scroll down until you see ‘Set Featured Image’ and select. Add a photo or select one that you have already uploaded. This will be used for your main photo at the beginning of your blog. I did not use a Featured image so you could see the instructions at the top of the page.

Step 10: Videos – You can even upload a video as well as long as it’s less than 50 MB.

Here is an example.

Smooth-Coated Otters of Singapore

Step 11: Add Your Name – Make sure to add your name at the bottom or the top so we know who wrote the blog.

Step 12: Keywords – Add any keywords to search for your blog as ‘Tags’ that would help people can search for you. I added ‘ecoprof’.  Your name or what topic your blog is about are good keywords.

Step 13: Hyperlinks – Add hyperlinks to our Geography Department or any important sites like:  Singapore Botanic Gardens  Highlight the word or phrase and select the hyperlink icon in the menu and add the URL. I like to select the box where it opens the link in a new web page.

Step 14: Read More Tag – Place your cursor after the first few sentences (or short paragraph) of your blog and select the ‘Read More Tag’ icon on the top editing menu. This will make it easier for the readers to scroll down and find blogs they want to read. I placed one at the end of this blog – click Read More and see what is below.

Step 15: Update and Save – Make sure to save your blog using the ‘Update’ button all the time so you don’t lose anything. When you have finished all these steps, select Update one more time.

Step 16: Email me at geogcc@nus.edu.sg  – When you are ready to submit, email me and I will give it a final review in the next week.

Make sure you review the NUS Guidelines below before you finalize your blog.

Please remember the Terms of Service:
1. Please use the blog for academic, educational, research and administrative purposes only.
2. Please adhere to Singapore laws and the NUS Acceptable Use Policy for IT Resources: https://nusit.nus.edu.sg/services/it_security/acceptable-use-policy-aup/
3. The Centre for Instructional Technology and National University of Singapore are not liable for any legal or financial issues which may arise as a result of your use of Blog.nus

Also, a few disclaimers:
1. Content on Blog.nus and all blogs hosted on Blog.nus contain opinions which may not represent the official views of the National University of Singapore.
2. The Centre for Instructional Technology and the National University of Singapore are not responsible for the content of external internet sites. Such websites are subject to their own data protection and privacy practices and you are encouraged to examine the privacy policies of those websites.

I hope you enjoy sharing your field experiences exploring the tropical rainforest and freshwater wetlands of the Singapore Botanic Gardens this semester.

best,

Prof Gretchen

Congratulations you have received 2 Bonus % points toward your Field Blog Assignment for Reading through the Blog Assignment Details! Once you post your blog, I will add the 2% to your Field Blog grade.