Class of 2016 Blogs. CLICK HERE
Fall 2015 EXAMPLES Class Blog Link. Click HERE
WHY BLOG?
You might very well be asking yourself, why should I be blogging for a Psychology class? And I think it’s a fair question, so let me give you the best answer that I can.
In the first place, you should expect that a class in the Social Science department will help you refine your ability to write. From my own experience, I have found that the best way to improve one’s writing is to practice. Thus, this blog is a place for you to practice your writing. And not just any writing, but careful and thoughtful writing that seeks to answer the two questions of psychological study: “what?” and “how?”
But why a blog? Why can’t you just write assignments, print them out, and hand them in? While psychological studies might seem to be a very solitary task–a single author responding on her own to a single-authored text–it is in fact a conversation. Of course, one is always in “conversation” with the text being examined, but a good writer is also in conversation with others writing about the same text.
You’ve done this in the past when writing research papers. When blogging you broaden your audience: suddenly your classmates can be in conversation with you…even when we’re not in the classroom.
Okay, so we want to practice writing and to engage one another in our understanding of the texts at hand. But why do this on a public blog where *gulp* someone might find what you have to say? Quite simply: the more the merrier in a conversation. If we draw attention from the outside world, it will help us remember that high school is not simply preparation for “the real world” but that it is in fact a vital part of the “real” world.
ASSIGNMENT
Throughout the semester, we will engage with the ideas of the course through public blogging. Blogs only work when sustained by an energetic (and perhaps even chaotic) community. You will both post your own written responses to our class and comment on the posts of your colleagues.
Specific Requirements:
· Introduce yourself, your goals in this psychology class, and what you would like to get out of your blog
· Post a minimum of once a week and date your posts at the bottom, even if your blog includes a timestamp
· Posts must relate to something that we have covered that week
· Posts must be a minimum of 400 words, but, they can be longer : )
· Include other elements to your post
o This can be a link to an article you read; a link to the video you’re commenting on, pictures, etc…. the more elements the better your grade.
o If it’s not your original idea, cite it!
· Comments on Your Blog
o You are responsible for getting people to authentically comment on your blog. Responses must be 5 or more sentences and show that someone has read your blog. When you get a response, comment back. The goal is to build upon ideas, not to say “sounds nice.”
o You must have a minimum of two comments per week. These can come from your neighbors, your sister, you parents, your friends, even other teachers.
· Your Feedback
o Your commentary is also required for this assignment. To get credit, you must comment at least 20 times on your classmates’ blogs this semester. These must be authentic comments, in which you provide a supporting article that highlights their blog subject or where you refute a claim that they made.
BLOG SAFETY & CONDUCT
· Student work will only be identified by first names. All comments should have first names only.
· Parents who leave comments are asked not to use last names either. (Please post comments as “Jimmy’s mom” or “Megan’s grandfather”, etc.)
· Do not state where you live, give your phone number, or any other personal information
· No foul language. These posts are public and are part of an academic class.
· No text talk! Your writing must be in complete sentences/paragraphs.
CHOOSE A BLOG PLATFORM
· Blogger – Our email is provided by Google (GMail), and our accounts offer us immediate and free access to Blogger, the blog platform hosted by Google. Find Blogger through the tools you have through your email access. Don’t want to be tied to (or “managed by”) UNE? Create your own Google account and use that to build a blog in Blogger. Free. Easy.
· WordPress – WordPress.com calls itself “a better way to blog.” I don’t know that it’s better than Blogger, but you can create a free WordPress blog account and use that platform if you want. (I use WordPress and our course website is built on the WordPress open source platform, if that helps you make a decision.)
· Another Platform – We’re adults capable of making our own platform choices. If you don’t like Blogger or WordPress, or have a favorite blog platform, please use something else. Here are three other options: LiveJournal (free, with ads); Xanga (free, though less well known).
Rubric
Creating a Blog Help:
Sample Student Psychology Blogs: