Module Identifier MC15020  
Module Title ON THE WEB  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Mr Christopher D Everett  
Semester Intended for use in future years  
Next year offered N/A  
Next semester offered N/A  
Other staff Mr Royston D C Martin  
Course delivery Lecture   10 x 2 hour Lecture Workshops  
  Practical   Optional drop-in sessions  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Document providing evidence of individual completed tasks, with reference and web links to proof where necessary. Tasks to include: Activated personal accounts for UWA web space, blogging facilities, media hosting services (LO2), plus 500 words detailing chosen blog topic, personal angle on topic and statement of purpose for blog (LO4).20%
Semester Assessment Individually produced weblog (LO1) with personalised and reliable content (LO2/4) relevant to any specific topic, with at least one audiovisual blogging technology to complement the text (photography, podcasts, video), to be linked from or incorporated into a homepage on UWA web space. Blog must show regular updates, with two or three exemplar entries (LO3) submitted in print (with any relevant media files submitted digitally).40%
Semester Assessment 2000 word essay exploring the legal and ethical status of blogging (LO5) , with reference to any two weblogs (active or voluntarily/forcibly taken offline) and their impact on both their specific topic and the wider world.40%
Supplementary Assessment Failure in the practical will require the individual to resubmit, in the form of completed tasks, blog based on a new topic, and/or essay on new research, as determined by the module coordinator.  

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to.
1. Create weblogs and hosted media resources
2. Develop reliable content for online journals
3. Improve skills in writing for web audiences
4. Find personal angles to commonplace topics for greater audience engagement
5. Understand legal pitfalls specific to online publishing

Brief description

On The Web allows students to develop a best-practice approach to the conception, development and presentation of online content, with a view to finding a personal voice, that complements existing web content and journaling, through various digital techniques.

Aims

Personal home pages, and more recently web logs, have given rise to a constant supply of information and opinion which may be inaccurate, poorly presented, disorganized or simply redundant amidst a sea of similar online content. As an introduction to the high expectations of a University environment, students will be equipped to better research, layout, reference and organize online content, whilst discovering their own online voice. Guidance will be given in creating weblogs, podcasts and video blogs. This will result in students understanding the role of the individual in the web at large, and the importance of personal content to complement business/charitable websites and to support fringe interest groups.

Content

Ten one hour lectures with one additional weekly hour of practical demonstration to aid the development of well-presented and well-communicated personal web content. Sessions to include the following topics:
Activating UWA webspace; signing up for weblog hosting and media hosting services; Using HTML, CSS and web page editing software to create a basic homepage; Retrospective look at some noteworthy use of blogs (good and bad); Good blogging practice; Referencing and credibility in weblogs; Blog types (Personal, professional, medical, practical, political, ethical); Technical considerations (promoting, searching, hosting and protecting content); Social considerations (Audience participation, blogging socially); Legal considerations (libel, slander, copyright owning and infringing, freedom of speech and strict regimes); Multimedia blogging (photo-, video-, podcasting).

Module Skills

Problem solving Through creating audiovisual content, also through sourcing and accessing online storage/publishing facilities  
Research skills Much importance placed on substantiating and referencing online content in journal form  
Communication Constantly relevant at the core of the module, dealing with finding and using ways to communicate using digital media  
Improving own Learning and Performance Through self-motivated journaling and research  
Team work Possible through development of media content where single-handed production is impractical  
Information Technology Significant use of digital technologies to create and present written or media-based journals  
Application of Number Not relevant to field  
Personal Development and Career planning Some, through developing strategies to present oneself and one¿s thoughts online in a professional, clear and organized way, with potential applications for portfolios etc.  
Subject Specific Skills Writing for the web, creating and maintaining online journals and related audiovisual content, online researching and referencing  

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4