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Updated 2007-01-10
Computers & Communication Using English to Communicate with Native English Speakers Weeks 3 and 4: Blogs |
 |
A Web Log or Blog is like an online public diary or journal. Most bloggers just write about things they encounter each day. They write about their thoughts and feelings. It usually is not very interesting unless you know the person.
A few bloggers write every day about a topic that is interesting to them. Some write about politics, some write about society, others write about art or design.
Still fewer get comments about their postings. If people write into discuss about the issues that the blogger raises, that usually means that the blog is very interesting.
Week 3: Blogging Introduction
On our exploration we begin with the teacher's blog. Please look
at http://japanlang.com/b2/ and read
articles posted by Kevin in the last week. Choose one article and think of
something to say about
that article. Maybe write it down. Prepare to talk about this topic. We will
meet in small groups depending on the topic.
Kevin will enter recent topics here when the time comes. Sample topics:
After the discussion, visit other Japan-related Blogs in English at Japan Bloggers and use the << JAPAN >> symbol to navigate the ring of web sites (a ring is a group of websites linked together by a common theme). Click on >> to go forward, << to go back. (You can also click on a letter in the alphabet to see all the Blogs that begin with that letter.)
Week 3 Homework: Go to Moodle with the SUBJECT:
CC# Blog selection. In the body of the email message, send me the URL (web
address)
of the Blog in the Japan Bloggers Ring that you liked the best.
Example: My favorite blog
My favorite blog so far is at http://consumptive.org/ because it is all about photography and is simple to read.
[REMEMBER: You should also do your one-page report on your experience with email and finding keypals]
Week 4: Blogging Comments
Now is the time to read your favorite blog postings from the last week. Read
them carefully and pick one out. Make a comment to one of the postings. You
should do one fo the following:
a) Ask a question. If you are not sure of something you can ask the blogger
to clarify something by asking a quesiton.
b) Make a comment: Most comments are negative, and are called criticism. These
are good if you disagree with the blogger. Be clear in where you disagree with
the blogger. Be polite and offer your alternative ideas. You can also agree
with the blogger in your comment, but that is not as interesting.
c) Give new information. If you know something about the topic that the blogger
does not, you can tell him or her. The bloggers like this kind of comment the
best.
Ask the teacher to check your comment before you send it off in class.
Week 4 Homework: Monitor your comment to see if it gets a response (check back at least twice during the week.) Make another comment to one blog in the Japan ring. Be careful of your message and your English. Write your RPEORT 2: Blogs. See example.
© Kevin Ryan 2001 ryan at kevinryan dot com