Blog Posts

Blog Posts

In this course you are required to write regular posts on our class blog. Blog posts should be at least 100 words and submitted before class meetings for which they are assigned.

Our blog provides a space to continue discussions outside of class and to make connections between this course and your own individual experiences. Find prompts for each blog assignment on our Syllabus.

You will write several types of blog posts during this course:

1. Reading responses: Discussing the readings assigned for the class. Identify a topic or theme from the reading and analyze it. Include at least one quotation from the reading that stands out and one question about the reading in each post.
2. Field work analysis: For some of our blog posts, you will be required to analyze the purpose, content, and context of a print or digital resource that you discover outside of class.
3. Blog comments: Select a blog post by one of your classmates and write a response. What other perspectives on this topic can you offer? How does the blog post connect to the course readings and themes?

Tags: Please give each of your blog posts one or more tags (keywords). Do not assign Categories; use tags instead.

Blogs don’t have to be written in a formal / academic style but must use proper spelling, grammar and punctuation.

How to Post on the Course Blog:

1. Go to https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu and log in. Go to My OpenLab > My Courses > LIB 1201: Research & Documentation for the Information Age Fall D950.
2. Find “LIB 1201 Research and Documentation for the Information Age” at the top of the page and select Dashboard from the dropdown menu. Once you are in the Dashboard, click “Add New” under the “Posts” menu on the left navigation bar to create a new post
3. Enter a title for your post and then paste or type your blog post into the large field in the middle of the screen.
4. There are two ways to format posts: Visual or HTML. If you know HTML feel free to use it. Otherwise you may want to select Visual and use the buttons along the top of the field to add bold, italics, etc.
5. Give your post one or more tags by entering them into the field under “Post Tags” on the right side of the Add New Post page.
6. If you’d like to take a look at your post before publishing it on the course blog, click the “Preview” button on the upper right side of the Add New Post page.
7. When you’re ready to publish your post to the blog for all to see, click the blue “Publish” button on the right side of the Add New Post page. Be sure to publish each post!
8. To view the blog after publishing your post, click “Visit Site” under “LIB 1201 Research and Documentation for the Information Age” at the top of the page.

Grading:

Blog posts are worth 20% of your total course grade; that could be the difference between a C and an A. Each post is worth one point. Each blogging assignment is due BEFORE THE START OF CLASS for which it is assigned.

Each blog post will be graded as follows:[1]

Points	Rating	Characteristics of the Blog Post
1	Excellent	The blog post is focused and relevant to the topic. Post provides examples and explanations or analysis, and reflects in-depth engagement with the topic. Sources are cited (if not from course readings). Post is at least 100 words and has been given at least one tag. Post is submitted by the beginning of class (on time).
0.5	Competent	The post is mostly description or summary, without consideration of alternative perspectives, and few connections are made between ideas. Post reflects passing engagement with the topic. Sources (if not from course readings) are not cited. Post is at least 100 words, but has not been given any tags. Post is submitted after the beginning of class, but less than 24 hours late.
0	Insufficient	The blog post consists of one or two disconnected sentences, or no post was written for the assignment. Post is less than 100 words and has not been given any tags. Post is more than 24 hrs late.

[1] Sample, M. (2009). Pedagogy and the Class Blog. Retrieved January 27, 2010, from SAMPLE REALITY Web site: http://www.samplereality.com/2009/08/14/pedagogy-and-the-class-blog/; Schmitt, K.M., Behler, A., and E. Rimland. (2009). Blogging: Create an Online Community. In Library Instruction Cookbook, pp. 166-167. Chicago: ACRL.