{"id":157,"date":"2026-08-21T18:06:36","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T18:06:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/openlab.macaulay.cuny.edu\/classof2030\/?p=157"},"modified":"2026-08-21T18:07:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T18:07:39","slug":"using-openlab","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/openlab.macaulay.cuny.edu\/classof2030\/2026\/08\/21\/using-openlab\/","title":{"rendered":"Using OpenLab"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

OpenLab is an open source learning and digital content platform where you can post public-facing or Macaulay-community facing projects and create or participate in different sites\/blogs. On OpenLab, you can participate in course websites for your seminars or hubs (like this one!) for Macaulay events, create projects for different classes and events, or even create your own personal portfolio for hosting all your personal work. It’s based on WordPress, which is a platform used by 43.4% of the web, and learning its use is practical for college but also for any other web-based projects or work you want to do. You can also make choices as the user on the privacy\/openness of different materials you post. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

OpenLab is supported by the Teaching and Learning Collaboratory, and if you have questions about how to use it, you can make an appointment with us <\/a>or sign up for a workshop (link coming soon). Below are some start-up instructions for creating a post! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Create a post<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

In the dashboard, from the menu at the top, click \u201c+\u201d and click \u201cPost\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Screenshot<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Write your post<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

In the \u201cAdd New Post\u201d screen, you write the post you want to create. Enter the appropriate title and any text you want in the post. You can add images by clicking the plus sign in the top-left corner and selecting the \u201cimage\u201d block. From here, you can upload images from your device. You can also embed media, create image galleries, etc, through the Block menu on the left. Feel free to explore! Just make sure to do the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add a Featured Image<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the right hand side, under \u201cPost,\u201d select \u201cSet Featured image\u201d and upload\/choose an image<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose Your Category<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before publishing your post, make sure you choose the right category or categories for it. Look for the categories on the right hand side, under \u201cPost.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Add Alt-Text to Images<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alt-text is the description of an image used by screenreaders for people who are blind or have vision impairments. It\u2019s good for accessibility to add a brief description of any images for that reason (\u201cA grey striped Siamese cat is curled up on a duvet, tail in front of his body, paw over one eye, one blue eye staring at the camera\u201d)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click Publish<\/strong>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When your post is ready, click publish! You can also Save as Draft as you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be sure to have what you want to write and add saved elsewhere <\/strong>before uploading\/copying it here<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Screenshot<\/figure>
\n

To the left, visual references for<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. How to put a post in a category<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. How to upload a featured post<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      More advanced post options<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

      Within each block, you have options to further tailor how your post looks (size, borders, colors, etc).Under settings, you can choose to edit the block, rather than the post. Then, you can change either \u201cSettings\u201d and \u201cStyles\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Sample Blocks<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

      Covers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Below, I used the Cover <\/strong>block (image + text) and used the Duotone <\/strong>filter under the Styles <\/strong>tab to alter the image<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/span>
      \n

      <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

      Cover <\/strong>block + Duotone <\/strong>effect<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Embedding Canvas Slides<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      To embed a Canva presentation, go to your Canva presentation and click the Share <\/strong>menu in the top right hand of the screen. Click the Embed <\/strong>option, and then copy-paste the Smart Link <\/strong>right into your post!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n