Let’s earn some DS User Level badges! You’ll get a solid start in using the DS multisite, and you’ll cultivate important WordPress savvy.
Make sure you meet all the requirements before you start!:
- You don’t need your own ds.lclark.edu site for the User Level badge.
- But you do need to be a member of the Lewis & Clark community who has a user account on the ds.lclark.edu multisite, typically as part of a group site (e.g., a course site or the Overseas Program site). If unclear, ask your instructor or email DS multisite staff.
- Important! To display badges you need to get a free account via Credly, our DS badge “mother ship” site. Create an account right now (don’t just sign up via Facebook or LinkedIn), making sure to use your LC email address.
- For a few other helpful hints before you begin, see here.
The DS User Level badge involves four Skills badges you’ll complete in order as per below (see this flowchart). For each Skills badge, there will be a few Steps you’ll do as well. Once you complete each Step you’ll automatically receive a Steps badge (1 point each), but all your work will be checked prior to awarding your Skills badge. Then, once you have completed all Skills (10 points each), you will receive your DS User badge (100 points). If any general questions, please consult the badges overview page, or email DS multisite staff.
Here is a quick outline of the DS User Level badge, with information, time estimate, and links to each Skill:
- Login Skill
(1 hr): Getting a WordPress.com account; logging in to ds.lclark.edu via your WP.com account; logging in to ds.lclark.edu via the WP mobile app 
Profile Skill (0.5 hr): Adding your name and bio to your ds.lclark.edu profile, and adding a picture (avatar) of yourself on WordPress.com, so that others can find out more about you
Surf Skill (1 hr): Browsing posts on WP.com to cultivate your own posting style; browsing fellow ds.lclark.edu posts to see how others are using the DS multisite
Post Skill (2 hr): Composing a post with attention to title, category, and content; including imagery; including links/embeds; including shortcodes; adding comments to posts
Ready to go? Start with the Login Skill. All done?? Go to Display Your Badges to learn how to share them!