Writing online
Summary: in the first six weeks of the semester, we’ll be using weblogs, learning to make web pages, and discussing a wide variety of concepts which affect these and other online forms. During this time, you’ll complete a number of small assignments. Using your web page, compile these assignments. Rework one or more assignments to show the operation, definition, and complexity of one or more of the concepts covered in the first six weeks.
Schedule:
- Abstract due: October 14
- Draft assignment due: November 7
- Final assignment due: November 18
This is a fairly simple assignment which is very open-ended. I encourage all of you to take advantage of the flexibility put into this assignment—make yours interesting!
Select one of the keywords that we’ve engaged so far this semester (literacy, code, style, metadata, standards). Write an extended definition and analysis which details the operation of this concept in computers and writing. Build on the work you’ve done on your weblog and in class. Use my del.icio.us, Google, and the WIU libraries to find related texts which expand on the very brief overview of the concepts we've completed in class.
Your completed assignment should live on your web page or in the course wiki. Regardless, make sure there is a link from your web page to the assignment. (If you don't have a web page, make one; it can be very minimal, but you need to have one.)
To use the course wiki to complete your assignment, visit the Fall 2005 480 page, add a link, and take off. You could also start from your user page.
Form
For your abstract, create a weblog post or wiki page which notes the concept you intend to work with, describes your reasons for doing so, and includes a list of questions which you think you might engage. I will comment on this post or page; hopefully, others in the class will do so as well. As soon as I approve your abstract, I will reserve the concept you are working on (see below). Yes, this is incentive for doing this ASAP.
When the draft is due, email me a link to the first page. Same thing for the final.
Concepts
Concepts are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. No more than four students may work on any keyword. Here's the current list:
- Literacy: Kate, Joellyn, Kyle, Nicole
- Code: Nick, Jed, Bonnie
- Style: Trisha, Robert, Kevin
- Metadata: Jason
- Standards: Julie, Chelsea, Rachel, Jeremy
Notes
- I waited a long time to finalize this assignment because many students were slow to take up the work which is required for its first part. Some of you still have not done that, but we can wait no longer.
- I am happy to help you with any technical questions you have. Send me an email and/or post about your problem on your weblog. Include as much information as you can. We can all learn from each other in this manner.
- While I don't expect a formal Works Cited page, I do want you to acknowledge your sources. Given hypertext, this is as simple as making a link, either to the source on the web or to a page where you list sources.
- If you want extra time to work on the assignment using 309 computers, and your schedule allows, you are free to stay after class until 11:50, since there is no class scheduled in 309 after ours.
- For extra help, suggestions, etc, come to my office hours.
Questions and comments
Have a question or comment? Use the wiki to ask it.