BLOGGING AS A POP CULTURE TEXT

AGENDA

Intro to blogging Structures of power Web of meaning Our blogging assignment – “Urban Field

Guide” Why is this text important to students? What can students learn from it? Class discussion - how would you use it?

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE BLOG

In the 90s, stemmed from online journals

Justin Hall 1st blogger

Web + Log = Blog

More than just an online journal

Promote companies, keep in touch with family, politics, sharing opinions

BLOG

PHLOG

BLOGGING STRUCTURES OF

POWER

A new alternative

Amateur vs. Professional Media

Global connection

Worldwide, accessible via web

Social mobilization

Blogging in Iran.flv

“Bloggers Unite is an attempt to harness the power of the blogosphere to make the world a better place. By asking bloggers to write about a particular subject, a single voice can be joined with thousands to help make a difference.” – www.bloggersunite.com

BLOGGING STRUCTURES OF

POWER Breakdown of hegemonic structures

We have the power

Youth revolutions, have your voice heard

vs

Facilitating hegemonic structures

Restrictions on visibility

Credibility

Media literacy

BLOGGING – WEB OF MEANING

Class discussion –

What’s in and What’s out?

BLOGGING

OUR ASSIGNMENT “URBAN FIELD

GUIDE”

3U Biology Strand B – Diversity of Living Things

Goal: have students identify and document different species in their neighbourhood

Blog or Phlog? Photography and descriptive text are both equally important

Meeting the ministries inquiry expectations

Sample of expectations

WHY THE TEXT IS IMPORTANT TO

STUDENTS

Cultural capital

Have your voice heard

social activism

Counter-school culture

Opportunity to be creative

WHAT THEY WILL LEARN FROM IT

Critical media literacy anyone can make a blog!

Traditional literacy

All teachers are teachers of literacy

How to make/manage a blog

DISCUSSION – HOW WOULD YOU USE THIS IN YOUR SUBJECT

AREA?

What are some benefits to using this type of assignment?

Would you do anything differently?

What are some drawbacks?

SUMMARY: BLOGGING/PHLOGGING

Expressive, creative, global

Breaking down hegemonic structure?

An increase in culture capital

Social Activism: The power to change

Differentiated Instruction

Forms of Literacy

Teachers and students as learners