MEDA78004
Blogging for Fun and Profit
Sheridan
 
  I: Administrative Information   II: Course Details   III: Topical Outline(s)  Printable Version
 

Land Acknowledgement

Sheridan College resides on land that has been, and still is, the traditional territory of several Indigenous nations, including the Anishinaabe, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, the Wendat, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We recognize this territory is covered by the Dish with One Spoon treaty and the Two Row Wampum treaty, which emphasize the importance of joint stewardship, peace, and respectful relationships.

As an institution of higher learning Sheridan embraces the critical role that education must play in facilitating real transformational change. We continue our collective efforts to recognize Canada's colonial history and to take steps to meaningful Truth and Reconciliation.


Section I: Administrative Information
  Total hours: 20.0
Credit Value: 0.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Spring/Summer 2022
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A

Program(s): Social Media Writing, Writing for Digital Media
Program Coordinator(s): N/A
Course Leader or Contact: N/A
Version: 20220509_00
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: Access to course materials and assignments will be available on Sheridan's Learning and Teaching Environment (SLATE). Students will need reliable access to a computer and the internet.

 
 
Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
Blogs have changed the way we communicate. They are driving mainstream culture and can provide a powerful means of expression, a way to promote a business or ideas and even generate revenue. This course takes students through the process of developing and executing their own blog using an understanding of the genre and best practices for great writing, marketing, SEO, community building and monetization. Students will come away from the course with both a better understanding of this mode of communication and a blog they can use as a learning tool or a springboard to long-term project.

Program Context

 
Social Media Writing Program Coordinator(s): N/A
Social Media Writing

Writing for Digital Media Program Coordinator(s): N/A
N/A


Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

  Critical Performance:
Students will apply theory and practice to achieve the course learning objectives.
 
Learning Outcomes:

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Define the term blog and describe the origins and history of blogging.
  2. Recognize the difference between blogs and other websites.
  3. Explain the purpose of a blog and describe when to use this particular communication method.
  4. Identify the various genres of blogs.
  5. Distinguish between text and non-text blogs (e.g. photoblogs, videoblogs, etc)
  6. Identify blogging tools (e.g. Wordpress, Tumblr, Blogger).
  7. Define the goals of your blog.
  8. Define the audience for your blog.
  9. Identify the USP's (unique selling propositions) and methods of differentiating your blog.
  10. Analyze blogs in relation to the idea of branding and recognize how successful bloggers craft a voice, look, and feel that is very much their own.
  11. Recognize the importance of a good name in presenting a blog brand to the public.
  12. Determine how others have developed their names and taglines.
  13. Connect your own brand to the name of your blog.
  14. Select a blog name and tagline and write your first blog entry.
  15. Dissect the content structure of a blog.
  16. Recognize the importance of a content plan for your blog.
  17. Recognize the difference in content planning between personal blogs, corporate blogs, and other genres.
  18. Classify the different methods of categorizing content via site navigation.
  19. Construct content categories that will work for the content of your blog.
  20. Follow blogging best practices and avoid common pitfalls.
  21. Determine what makes a blog readable.
  22. Outline the ethical issues facing web writers including the Bloggers Code of Conduct.

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

 Evaluation Plan: IN-CLASS & ONLINE INSTRUCTION
 Course Engagement20.0%
 Assignment #1 - Blogger Branding20.0%
 Assignment #2 - Content Analysis20.0%
 Assignment #3 - Your Blog40.0%
Total100.0%

Evaluation Notes and Academic Missed Work Procedure:
TEST AND ASSIGNMENT PROTOCOL The following protocol applies to every course offered by Continuing and Professional Studies. 1. Students are responsible for staying abreast of test dates and times, as well as due dates and any special instructions for submitting assignments and projects as supplied to the class by the instructor. 2. Students must write all tests at the specified date and time. Missed tests, in-class/online activities, assignments and presentations are awarded a mark of zero. The penalty for late submission of written assignments is a loss of 10% per day for up to five business days (excluding Sundays and statutory holidays), after which, a grade of zero is assigned. Business days include any day that the college is open for business, whether the student has scheduled classes that day or not. An extension or make-up opportunity may be approved by the instructor at his or her discretion.

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Colleges and Universities requirements:


 

Essential Employability Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:

  • Communication

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) - Office of the Registrar

  • Not Eligible for PLAR

 
 
Section III: Topical Outline
Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Instruction Mode: In-class & Online Instruction
Professor: Multiple Professors
Resource(s): N/A
Applicable student group(s): Continuing and Professional Studies
Course Details:

Module 1 - Introduction to Blogging

  • Content to include:
    • Welcome and Introduction
    • What is a blog? 
    • A brief overview of the history of blogging 
    • Blogger's Code of Conduct 
    • Why do we blog? 
    • Types and genres of blogs 
    • What makes a blog 'good'? 
    • Who am I writing for? 
    • Blog platforms and recommendations (Wordpress, Tumblr, Blogger) 
    • Demonstration of creating a blog 
  • In-Class Exercises - What Is Your Brand? and Ideal Client Profile 

Module 2 - Standing Out

  • Content to include:
    • Standing Out in a Crowded Marketplace - how can a blog set itself apart 
    • Standing Out - Content, Visuals, Name, Logo, Tagline
    • .com, .ca, .net, or .org - What is best? 
    • Analyzing a wide range of successful blogs and how they have been able to set themselves apart by developing a unique concept and delivering on it well 
    • Learn about differentiation  

Module 3 - Site Navigation

  • Content to include:
    • Why is site navigation so important?
      • The importance of the header - about me, contact, etc 
      • The importance of tags 
      • The importance of categories 
      • The importance of typography 
      • The importance of style (colour scheme) and how to colour coordinate 
      • The importance of the logo / wordmark
    • Site navigation of the platform of unanimous choosing (Wordpress, Tumblr, Blogger) 
    • Common site navigation mistakes and how to avoid them 

Module 4 - Content Planning 

  • Content to include:
    • What is content?
    • How to make standout content 
    • How NOT to make standout content 
    • Examples of blogs that have delivered on their good content promises 
    • How to come up with content posts 
    • Content calendars and publishing schedules - why do we use them?
    • Examples of content calendars and how to create them 
    • The types of posts that are the most popular and the post types to avoid 
    • Discussion of what to write and when 

Module 5 - Being Found 

  • Content to include:
    • How to get the right kind of attention and engage readers 
    • The perks of guest blogging 
    • What is Search Engine Optimization and how does it relate to blogging? 

Module 6 - Social Media Usage 

  • Content to include:
    • The role of social media in blogging (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, SnapChat, etc) 
    • What social media platform is right for you and your blog? 
    • How to grow your social media following organically 
    • Strategies on how to be active on social media
    • How to use social media to boost traffic  

Module 7 - Moving Forward With Your Blog 

  • Content to include:
    • How to start making money from your blog / monetization options 
    • A discussion on Google Analytics
    • A discussion on advertising methods (including Google Adsense) 
    • A discussion on paid advertisements and paid blog posts 
    • Trends for blogging moving forward
    • Wrapping up the course and moving your blog forward


Sheridan Policies

It is recommended that students read the following policies in relation to course outlines:

  • Academic Integrity
  • Copyright
  • Intellectual Property
  • Respectful Behaviour
  • Accessible Learning
All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Appropriate use of generative Artificial Intelligence tools: In alignment with Sheridan's Academic Integrity Policy, students should consult with their professors and/or refer to evaluation instructions regarding the appropriate use, or prohibition, of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for coursework. Turnitin AI detection software may be used by faculty members to screen assignment submissions or exams for unauthorized use of artificial intelligence.

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.


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