Introduction to Computer-Mediated Communication Blog

Creating the next big thing:

We’ve talked a lot about Web 2.0, and community building on the Net.  BUT what do YOU think would be a cool Web 2.0 idea.  Working in groups of three, propose the next big idea for the World Wide Web.

You will present your idea as well as turn in your 3 page proposal on Thursday December 4.   Prepare a 5-minute presentation “pitching” your idea to the class.

Criteria:

1.    A three page proposal, which includes:
a.    Introduction:  Overall idea of the Web site
b.    Target audience:  Why would they care about your idea?
c.    What is the primary goal of the Interface you are creating?  Explain how the Web site would function
d.    How would this new social networking site create community?  Explain
e.    Design ideas and a design mock-up
f.    Who are your competitors?
g.    Include any research that helps you persuade the audience!

2.    A 5-minute presentation of your proposed Web 2.0 project to the class. This includes a brief version of your hard copy proposal.  Discuss your audience, goals, competitors and how your Web site would be bigger and better.

3.    We will have a guest “client” in class.  She will pick the top 3 ideas!

I want you to write an introduction to your paper.  Your paragraph should have your rational, and  your thesis statement (argument).  

AND:  Show me 3 citations that you might include in your paper that supports your argument.

Post this in the comments!

Uses of Blogs Chapters 5-8 discusses Business blogs.  Since our country is in an economic crisis, find three economic topic blogs and analyze the following. First, be sure to share the URL and summarize what these blogs say about the outlook of the economic crisis.  What types of stories do they post? Discuss what type of audience the blog targets.  Do the blogs lean toward one presidential nominee or do they remain neutral?  Let me know if the blog is affiliated with a media conglomerate, such as a magazine, broadcast news station, newspaper, etc? How many comments does each story have on average? Do the blogs give you any new information you might have missed from traditional media?  Conclude by discussing if these blogs contribute to the overall discussion on our economic crisis.  

Word count:  I hate putting a word count on this but this should be 250-500 words  (1-2 pages)

Due:  October 19 by 11:59 p.m.

Due Date:  Sunday, November 16 via Turnitin.com by 11:59p.m.

Length:  6-7 pages

The Subject:

Pick a topic of your choice/interest that deals with some aspect of Computer-Mediated Communications.  Such as, Podcasting, Social Networking sites, Blogging, Wikis, Language, Online Gaming, etc.  The easiest way to write this paper is for you to narrow your topic to an issue and look critically at one aspect of the problem.  You should have an argument that you are supporting through research.  Remember this is a CRITICAL ANALYSIS and not a book report about CMC.  You should have a solid thesis statement and the research to back up your claims to help prove your argument.

Criteria:

• Minimum of 6 sources (minimum of ONE Web site source, but others must be from  sources such as journal articles, books, magazine articles, etc found either in the library or electronic library databases) I want real research!!!!
• 12 pt Times New Roman font
• Double Spaced
• 6-7 pages of content (does not include bib page)
• No Wikipedia citations (only if wikipedia is used as an example in your paper, but do not cite Wikipedia as a source)

We will talk more about this paper in class and I will set up class time for us to do research so you will have my help.  The purpose of this paper is for you to look at the Internet critically and for you to look at up-to-date literature.  This paper should, or I hope it should, help you understand your interest in CMC better.

Read Chapter 11 in Uses of Blogs. Due 10/3 by 11:59p.m.

The authors compare blogs to 17th century and 18th century coffeehouses.  Search online for information about these 17th and 18th century coffeehouses and discuss why these authors compare today’s technology to these historical coffeehouses.  (Hint:  These will be English coffeehouses for example, located in London)  You may find articles about these coffeehouses on the Library electronic databases. Colonial America also had coffeehouses… so you may find some information during this time.   

Length:  250 words

Citations:  3 (including your book and ONE Internet source and ONE article from the Library database)

Post what you find in the literature world on line.

1.  In Rhetoric Online, Warnick discusses the Public Sphere and how the Internet has revitalized the concept.  Discuss if you think traditional media diminished the public sphere and if you believe that the Internet has created a new public sphere and in what ways.  Give examples from your book and from your own research.

Find different sites on the Web that fit into the six Web site categories.  Evaluate the Web sites and apply the uses and gratifications model.

1.  Respond to Growing up online

2. Track your Internet usuage for the week.  Tell me how many HOURS you spent on the Net and what you did most frequently.

3. Explore what types of blogs are out in the blogosphere.

Chapter 5-Victor and Lewis

Chapter 6–Andrea and Paul

Chapter 7–Austin and Steven

Chapter 8–ME!

Chapter 9–Jonathan and Emlyn

Chapter 10–Spencer and Marcelo

Chapter 11– Shabnam-Jonathan

Chapter 12–Ronnie and Redgie

Chapter 13—John and Sara

Chapter 14–Laura and Daryl