Introduction

As most of you probably know, the IDSB10 marking scheme shows a "blog post" due on the week of Oct. 8th and Oct. 22nd. However, to make the project more worthwhile, we have decided to change the criteria, such that there will be only one blog post due on Nov. 23rd at 5:00pm worth 5% of your grade. 

Also, we are aware that some of you may not have done as well as you hoped on the first quiz. Thus, as an added incentive to do well on the blog, we are offering to replace your blog mark with your first quiz mark, if you do better on your blog than on the quiz. This would mean that the blog post would be worth 10%, while the first quiz would only be worth 5%. (Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about this. Please use the comment feature on this page to post your questions.) 

I. Content

Essentially, the content of the blog posts will be quite flexible, and will offer each of you the chance to connect course themes of your choice with outside content that you have come across throughout your studies or daily life. We want you to think critically about (for example) a newspaper article, video clip, documentary, media event, a personal encounter etc - and explain the relevance of this material and how you feel it relates to the course content. Specifically, we expect that you will make at least two specific references to course readings/videos/lectures/etc. 

II. Format

With these things in mind, your blog post should NOT be structured like an academic essay! Instead, the goal should be to create a succinct, engaging and accessible piece of writing. It is OK to be slightly opinionated and informal in a blog post, as long as your ideas are clearly thought out and well articulated. Nonetheless, any sources that you reference should be cited at the end of the post using proper APA formatting. 

Example:

 The website "hackinghistory" is an online-based, "year-long course that examines relationships among academic history, digital media and community formation." Most of the students' assignments are hosted on the website. Please feel free to browse through this site for various writing samples of effective blogging. Some of them are better than others, so use your best judgement! 

III. Citation:

For examples of proper APA formatting click here for a brief summary, or visit Owl Purdue for a more extensive overview. If you have any other questions about referencing, please don't hesitate to contact Becky. (You will be producing an annotated bibliography for your group project as well so it is a good time to learn more about the APA format if you are not familiar with it already.)

IV. Where to post your blog

In terms of the location of the blog post, there are some options available to you.

1. You may simply post your blog on your Student Profile Page, by simply adding a section at the bottom of your profile page.

2. If you already have a blog, you may post your blog entry on your personal blog site and provide a link in your student profile page.

3. If you are feeling curious about the world of blogging, you may create your own personal blog site, using a platform of your choice, such as Wordpress, Blogger, Xanga or others. The only criteria for any of these options is that we need to be able to access your post by simply clicking on a link (ie: we shouldn't have to sign-up for the site in order to view content). 

V. Key requirements

To summarize, the following elements should be included in your blog post: 

• Word count should be between 450-650 words maximum.
• blog should briefly summarize an outside article/media clip/etc and explain its relevance to the course
• If possible, a link should be provided to the outside source that you are referencing
• The blog should demonstrate a clear linkage between "ICT and Development"
• The blog should be personalized, and include reference to your individual lived experiences   
• At least two references should be made to existing IDSB10 class resources 
• Blog should include a properly-formatted APA bibliography  
• You may want to consider adding an image to your blog posting, for added visual interest  
• Blog should be posted in your student profile, or on an easily accessible blogging platform with a direct link provided 

Again, the due date for the first blog is Fri. Nov. 16th at 5:00pm.   

VI. Marking Criteria (5 marks total, or 10 marks if you switch the grade with the first quiz) 

Identifies, summarizes and provides a link to a relevant outside source - 20%

References and draws interesting comparisons from at least two resources from the course - 30%

Demonstrates an original and insightful linkage between ICT & Development - 30%

Draws on personal experience to emphasize key points - 20%

Finally, as an added incentive, the 5 most insightful blogs will be posted to the new UTSC IDS Website! (with your permission, of course). 

Feel free to comment below if you have any questions or are wondering about your choice of article, etc. to include in your blog. 

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Some suggestions of events you may attend as part of your blog assignment:

 November 5 - 15, 2012: Film Screening at Hot Docs Theaatre: WE ARE LEGION: THE STORY OF THE HACKTIVISTS
  506 Bloor Street West, Toronto -  Hot Docs Cinema. go here for times and schedule
 Official Selection, Hot Docs 2012
“Exhilarating and terrifying.” – Los Angeles Times
WE ARE LEGION is a guide into the world of Anonymous, the “hacktivist” collective with no defined leadership or structure that is responsible for numerous acts of a new Internet-based civil disobedience. Through interviews with current members, members awaiting trail, major online figures, writers and academics, the audience gain an understanding of the collective’s motives and what it means to be involved with a group redefining online activism. A history of the Internet’s evolution, the film traces the birth of powerful democratic activism with a global reach that is making corporations and governments very nervous.
 Trailer: http://youtu.be/gn9-80ObGA8