Blogging Class Weekly Schedule

Online Publication - COMM 2901 – Summer 2013

 

Week 1 (short week)

 

Topics Covered

 

• Read Syllabus
• Overview of Online Publication Class and Types of Online Writing
• History of Blogging
• Types of Blogs (and how to develop a targeted, marketable blog)
• Starting a Blog

 

Assignments

 

• Complete Weekly Readings (posted on BB)
• Syllabus Quiz and First Week Readings (required before completing other class work)
• Post idea and URL name for personal blog under Discusssions (which will be viewable online). Do wait for feedback before proceeding. Classmates are invited to offer input, ideas, etc.

 

Week 2

 

Topics Covered

 

• Complete Weekly Readings (posted on BB). These will include basic blog set up readings and notes. Please do get in touch if you are having any difficulties.

 

 

Assignments

 

• Create/Design Blog (Be sure to look at all the various options. There are a lot.)
• Put up first blog post by noon on Thursday June 5 (25 post total count with one free day = 24 required – spread out throughout the term with no more than four posts per week)
• List Blog URL under BB to be Included in Class List on Class Blog (for easy access). I’ll link that, so it will be easy to find class blogs.
• Start Peer Comment Log List (fifteen comments on peer blogs required and on different days across the month). Don’t wait until the end, or you will forget where you posted.
• Weekly Test 1 - 20 points (available from 1 pm on Saturday through noon on Monday – ALL tests except the exam are on this schedule giving you both weekend and a week day to work)

 

Week 3

 

Topics Covered

 

• Complete Weekly Readings (posted on BB and probably on class blog)
• Widgets – what they are and how to add one
• Monetization (just a note - don’t apply for this option yet)
• Famous Bloggers
• Julie and Julia (watch the film) – This is not due yet, but begin to plan for getting a copy of the film and the research.

 

Assignments

 

• Continue to blog on schedule.
• Continue to make comments.
• Add at least one widget that compliments your blog
• Get ready for Julie and Julia (watch the film)

• Do outside research on Julie/Julia and write a two page paper due June 30 (500 words minimum = 2 double spaced pages). Be sure to use in text links for web sources used (or include a MLA citation list at the bottom of the post). Papers should be posted to BB under Assignments (to maintain the links).  
• Weekly Test 2 - 20 points  

 

Week 4

 

Topics Covered

 

• Complete Weekly Readings (posted on BB)
• The value of linking (both in and out)
• Adding “pages” (these help with organization and make your blog look like a web page)
• Prepare for BB discussion.

 

Assignments

 

• Complete readings.
• Add at least one external link.
• Add pages (four minimum).
• Take part in class Discussion (50 words minimum – may be split in more than one post)
• Weekly Test 3 – 20 points
• Julie & Julia paper due under Assignments by Monday June 30. This is just an advance reminder.  

 

Week 5

 

Topics Covered

 

• Blogging fatigue

 

Assignments

 

• Complete readings.
• Continue to keep blog posts going.
• Continue to comment on peer blogs.
• Guest Post (time is flexible but be sure to be scouting out a guest blogger – post due before the end of class)

 

Week 6

 

Readings

 

• Continue to blog and leave comments.
• SEO (and the importance)

 

 

Assignments

 

• Keep up blog and peer comments
• Julie & Julia paper due (June 30 by noon)
• Weekly test 4

 

Week 7

 

Readings

 

• Stats in Blogger
• Legal issues and blogging
• Ethical issues in blogging

 

Assignments

 

• BB discussion (50 words minimum – may be split in more than one post)
• Weekly test 5
• Begin to review and correct any issues with your earlier blog posts. You do have an edit option. Feel free to use it.

 

Week 8

 

Readings

 

• Monetization on blogs (do hold off on this)

 

 

Assignments

 

• Begin to finish up blog and comments.
• Exam – 25 points

 

Week 9 (final week)

 

Readings

 

• Making a difference with blogs and your blogging future.

 

Assignments

 

Using what you’ve learned over the semester, go back and make any corrections, additions, and deletions to your blog before final grades are assigned.

Post under Assignments your own self-ev aluation of your blogging work.

 

• Making a Difference with Blogs

• Future of Blogging

 

Assignments

 

• Weekly Test - 25 points (available from noon on Friday through noon on Sunday)

 

Exam

 

• Blog – 50 points (includes all requirements such as visuals, widgets, guest post etc. as well as progress over the semester).
• Final Self-Evaluation – 15 points (includes an overview of the blog from start to finish with what was learned and what worked well as things that did not work as well – 500 words minimum).

 

* Class Participation (10 points) – This includes the various assignments that are not specifically graded.