Weblog World: The Effective Use of Blogs as a Digital Media Course

Exercise

Dr. David McCoyAshland University

Blogs as Course ExercisesGroup ResearchIndividual ResearchCreative WritingE-Portfolio

Weblogs as PracticeMore than a personal diaryResearch componentsDiscovery elementsWriting experienceMulti-media masteryCareer-orientation

Group Research ProjectSmall groups (3-4 people)Create a social media site with the intent to

study and to communicate on a global level.Blog guidelinesUse text, images, video, linksDescribe your research findings in the narrative.Build this site around a general topic (Blogging

and the Fifth Estate/Twitter and Europe/Web 2.0 and China/International Interactive Videogaming)

Presentations on Tuesday February 28

Group Research ProjectSite=Ease of accessTopic=General view/Global region or countryResearch Depth=Varied sources (4 to 10)Narrative=Descriptive aspects/textual contentNarrative Structure=Can be designed as a

series of posts (hopefully, comments will occur!)Links=Relational to subject (3+)Images/Video=Enhancement of subject (5+)Presentation=In-class/Full Group/20-25 minutesEvaluation Rubric

Human Trafficking Blog

Germany and Social Media

Single Subject BlogIndividual projectSingle topic

E-Portfolio Career-orientedMedia-infusedAccessibleDescriptive

SummaryWeblogs are effective tools for creative

expression.They provide discovery learning and research

opportunities.They enhance the use of multi-media.Blogs are sites that permit open participation

and collaboration.Blogs are excellent venues for an e-Portfolio.

http://massmediazone.blogspot.com/