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Week 1

This is it! Week 1 is here.

I would like to welcome you to this course. I'm looking forward to working with each and everyone of you.

Hopefully, by now you have received an email with instructions for getting started. Simply go to the Schedule and follow the directions. You need to create your wiki, blog, and media links accounts as soon as possible.

We are going to hit the ground running! This week, there are a couple of readings due, which you are being asked to summarize and annotate. Additionally, I am asking you to watch a film online and discuss it. Consult the Schedule for details. And speaking of films, be sure to indicate if you will be able to join our class trip to Rochester to watch 'We Live in Public.''

As always: If you have any technical issues while using this wiki, post your question here or send me an email at ulises.mejias AT oswego DOT edu.

Week 2

Welcome to Week 2 of the course!

I know last week was a lot of work, especially because many of you are still getting acquainted with the wiki. It will get easier, I promise!

This week's announcements will cover three things: not falling behind on work, some tips for working with the wiki, and a reminder about our (voluntary, non-credit) class trip.

Don't be left behind!


If you have not yet created your user page, you may want to do that ASAP (check to see if there is a question mark after your name in the Course Directory — and click on it!).

Also, I realize some of you may have had problems completing the assignments for Week 1 because you did not get your books on time, you experienced technical difficulties, etc. I just want to warn you to not get too far behind!

Alternatively, I want you to be aware that Feb 12 is the last day to drop the course. If it looks like this is not the right course for you, you still have time to add another one!

Wiki Tips


In order to keep up with the work, you may want to try the following:

  1. Logon every couple of days, at least. Checking the wiki once a week will be overwhelming, because there will be tons of things to catch up with.
  2. If you haven't, watch the video tutorials.
  3. Keep an eye on the Help Desk forum, and post any questions you may have (technical or about the assignments).

In case you haven't noticed, there is one tool in the wiki that can help you keep on top of what is going on in the course: the Since Your Last Visit box on the top left. This box lets you know everything that has changes in the wiki since the last time you logged on, including:

  • Every comment added to a page.
  • Every post made to the forums.
  • All the wiki pages that have been editer or changed (note that pages with only new comments are not listed)

About the Discussions


I like the way the discussions are going. Remember that, when writing for the web, quality trumps quantity. We have lots of comments to read, so edit your own work before you click Post (ask yourself: can I say what I want to say with less words?). This will actually help you become a better writer!

  • Engage each other in the comments. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates, ask for clarification, and respond to their questions.
  • You may want to sign/include your name in your comments, specially if your user name is kind of obscure (for instance, I still have trouble remembering that ALewis4 is Ayana!).
  • Please note that you can control the display of the comments. There is a bar just before the comment section where you can specify the order in which comments appear (oldest or newest first), as well as how many comments should appear at one time. I usually set this to ALL because otherwise I can miss some comments!

Class Trip


Our Class Trip is coming up! Please see the corresponding wiki page for more info:
http://courses.ulisesmejias.com/networks-s10/Class+Trip (external link)

I realize this is on Superbowl Sunday. But those of you who are not hardcore football fans might not want to miss this opportunity to see a film that is not available online and that promises to be very relevant to this course. Plus, it would be nice to meet some of you in person! If you can go, please add you name to the list by Wednesday so I can plan the trip accordingly.

See you in wiki-space!


Week 3


Assignments

Please consult the Schedule. You've got some readings due, including part 2 of Castells. I know many of you are finding him both interesting and difficult. That's the way it's supposed to be, and there will be some readings like that throughout the semester. They will be a challenge, but they will also help you become network experts!

There's also a film that I think you will really like. One of the people featured is Barabasi!

There's also your Wikipedia assignment due at the end of the week (Sunday night). I'm looking forward to reading your essays.

Grades

I have entered grades for the first two weeks, which you can see on Angel (click the Refresh link in the Grades window, or go to Report). A couple of words regarding grades:
  • Angel grades are merely a check on your progress, and not an indication of what your final grade will be. Say for instance that right now you have participated in Week 1, but did nothing for Week 2. When Angel averages your grades, it will give you an F! Remember that, as of this moment, that only represents 20 points out of 680! So don't panic! Instead, make sure you don't miss any assignments.
  • Remember that, as far as Notes and Discussions, you are required to both make additions and edits to the notes AND post comments at the bottom of the page for EVERY reading. If you have only been doing comments, or only done some readings but not others, this will affect your grade. You are supposed to do all the work, because that's how I know you are actually reading and learning something!


Week 4


More interesting reading this week, as we explore in more detail the science behind networks. Some of the readings might seem a bit technical, but I just want you to get a general sense of the concepts. Don't panic! Although it might seem like a lot of reading listed on the schedule, please note that I am only asking you to read certain sections.

I also want you to spend some time going back and reviewing your classmates Wikipedia assignments. Find the 3 people below you in the course directory (if you are student #4, you would review the assignments of students 5, 6, & 7; if you are #18, you would review 19, 20 and start at the top at #1). Read the assignments of those people and provide meaningful comments (something more than "I liked it!") using the comment box at the bottom of their page.

Lastly, I want us to begin discussing viral marketing campaigns for Osw3go.net. Read what this assignment is going to be about and head over to this forum for more instructions.

Feedback

It's been almost a month since we started the course. I would like to hear from you about your experience so far. What do you like about the course? What don't you like about it? What would you change? Your feedback is very important, specially since I am considering making the final project less labor intensive. Please send me an email at with your comments. Thanks!

Week 5

Week 5 is here!

One of the comments I am hearing from many of you is about the diversity of topics this class touches on: science, society, technology, politics, etc. It's true: this is a class about everything! As a professional in Communications or Broadcasting, you need to develop a broad understanding of these issues. It is no longer enough to be experts in just one area.

Assignments

  • Readings: Having established a firm grounding on the science of networks, we now shift our attention to more 'philosophical' issues. Please read the last part of Castells and the essay by Dreyfus. They are a bit dense, but I think you'll like them.
  • If you are doing the final project instead of the exam, you need to start thinking about the network you are going to be creating, and put together a proposal for us to read. Please read the assignment description. If you opt to do the exam instead, that's OK — you don't need to post anything.
  • We launch osw3go.net in one week! There's some interesting proposals for our viral marketing campaign on the corresponding discussion board. I would like to hear from the rest of you!

Grades


Now that everyone has had a chance to review the Wikipedia assignments, I will start to look at them and leave some comments. You can check Angel later in the week to see your grade.

I got feedback about the class from some folks, but not all. Please do take a minute to tell me how the class is going for you. Send me an email at .

See you online!


Week 6


Readings and Assignments

More reading! Back to Barabasi and Abelson et al.

Also, we are experiencing a slight delay in the launch of osw3go.net. The website is pretty much ready, but we are being asked to get approval from the Human Subjects Committee (the people who say it's OK for anyone in the school to conduct "experiments" with humans). Stay tuned, and have your viral marketing campaigns ready to go!

Final Project Proposals

If you have opted to do a final project instead of taking the final exam, you need to read the assignment description and put together some sort of proposal (due actually last week). This week we are supposed to evaluate the proposals. Please review some of your peers' proposals and leave comments on their wiki pages. To make it easier to identify those who have posted a proposal, maybe you can give a shoutout in the shoutbox!

Guest Speaker

Next week, you will have a chance to chat here on the wiki with Joan Hurley, Assistant Director of Electronic Communication at Ithaca College. I've started a page where you can brainstorm questions. I would like everyone to post at least one question you would like to ask Joan (I'll be away, unfortunately, but I trust you to make a good impression with Joan). More instructions on that page.

Blogging

I'm happy to see more and more blogging. People are writing about all sorts of interesting subjects. Please make sure to read the assignment description to understand what are the parameters as far as length, etc. Also, remember that bloggers are, in essence, citizen journalists. I want you to not only repeat news that can be found somewhere else, but provide some analysis or opinion of your own!


Week 7

This week, we have a guest speaker: Joan Hurley from Ithaca College. Please head over to the discussion forum to converse with her.

Also, your Parody/Projection project is due by the end of the week (Sunday). Please read the assignment description under Course Contents.

And how is your blogging coming along?

If I don't get to talk to you before Spring Break (remember that my access to the course will be diminished this week, since I'll be in Italy), have a great break!

Week 8


Commence operation osw3go.net!

The site is live and open for business. Go ahead and launch your viral marketing campaigns. Please direct everyone to http://osw3go.net. (external link) And remember that you can participate in the simulation as well.

Please use this forum to report on the progress of your marketing campaigns.

Additionally, I will try to post updates on how many hits the site is receiving here so you can assess the success of our campaigns.



Welcome back!

I hope you had a chance to recharge your batteries during Spring Break, and are ready to tackle the last third of the semester!

Grades

I just updated your grades on Angel. As I am sure you realize, we have a lot of important assignments coming up, so make sure you stay on top of things. FYI, you now have about a month to complete all your blog posts, so plan accordingly!

Osw3go.net

We are just about ready to launch our simulation. Be ready to initiate your marketing campaigns and start playing the simulation on Wednesday, March 24. Watch this space for the final confirmation (I'll send an email as well).

Assignments

You've got some reading assignments (consult the Schedule).

Also, please review the Web 2.0 parody/projection assignments of at least the three people above you on the course directory. If someone didn't do the assignment, just skip them and do the next person. There's some funny and insightful stuff! I'll be reviewing and grading these assignments next week, after your peers have had a chance to look at them.

Any questions? Let me know.

Week 10


Leave of Absence

Osw3go.net

If you look at our most recent log, you will notice an interesting trend:

Visits are actually going down! Which means we need to re-double our marketing efforts. Whatever you are doing, you need to do more of it. Remember that for every 100 people that visit a social media website, only 1 actually contributes to the content.

We need to be doing a couple of things:
  1. Report your progress. Use the corresponding forum to update us about your progress. We've had a couple of cases where it is clear more coordination needs to happen. The goal is to act in concert, and not worry too much about who gets the credit for what idea!
  2. Participate! Specially at the early stages, it is important that you yourselves play the simulation. Nothing gives a worse impression than a website where there is only a trickle of activity. I want to see at least 10 new posts a day! Between my two classes (about 40 students), we should be able to make that happen. Remember that you can play a character that says something controversial (something you wouldn't necessarily believe yourself) in order to stir up debate. Nothing like controversy to get a dialogue started!

Readings

You've got a couple of readings for the week (including one by some Mejias guy). The focus is on providing a critique of how new media is changing the role of the individual in society. Feel free to provide a critique of the critique!


Week 11

Readings

Please read the last three chapters of Linked.

Osw3go.net

I've posted the most recent server log graphs. The following summary of average hits for the month of March and the first 5 days of April is useful, I think:

On a daily average, the number of hits, files and pages for March is still higher than April (which we've only started), but the average daily visits for April (18) is higher than March (16). That's good, but in a campus of 7,000 students, is that the best we can do? Given your knowledge of networks, what could we be doing to increase those numbers? (feel free to discuss in the Reports forum).

Blogging

Just a reminder that you have another 20 days or so to complete all you blogging assignments!

A little humor



Week 12

Blogging

Remember that you have about 2 weeks to finish your blog posts.

Extra Credit Opportunity! Post 10 comments on Mediated, get 20 points! Go to our Mediated blog (external link) and comment on any of the posts submitted by your peers. Your comments should be more than "I liked this" or "Good job." Basically, I want you to do two things: 1) react to the content, and 2) provide any suggestions about how the post could have been improved (in other words, pretend you are grading the post). You have until May 1st to complete this extra credit opportunity. You must also list a link to each comment on your wiki user page, so I can find them. If you don't post the links, I won't be able to find your comments, and you won't get the credit. Any questions? Let me know.

Assignments

Most of the readings we have been doing focus on what is happening in North America. But what do online social networks look like in other parts of the world? This week we focus on Brazil as a case study. Please consult the schedule for details about the readings.

Also, you will be watching 'RiP! A Remix Manifesto. It's a very cool movie, and I think you'll like it!

Osw3go.net

Here is the latest data from the logs. For previous logs, see this.

There was a spike around the time I sent out an email to all users registered of the site, so I plan to do another mass emailing in the next few days. Please get people to register for the site (this way they will begin to receive the emails, even if they haven't participated.

Week 13

Readings

You have some readings to annotate and discuss. Please consult the Schedule.

Comprehensive (Final) Exam

As you might recall, I offered you the option to do either a final project or take the comprehensive exam. If you don't have a final project that is well underway, I would suggest that you take the exam option (otherwise, continue to work on your final project). There was a page where you could suggest questions, but not a lot of people did so I just put the exam together myself and emailed it to your Oswego account. It is due on Thursday May 6th.

Blogging

Remember that all of your 4 blog posts need to be published by next Sunday (April 25, end of the day). Good job posting comments. It's amazing what a little extra credit can do! ;-) Maybe I should have made participation in Osw3go an extra credit opportunity as well. Oh, wait... participation in Osw3go is a graded assignment! (see below)

Osw3go.net

The most recent stats do not tell a pretty picture:

Participation is really going down. Remember that even though participation is anonymous, you will be having to write a report about what you did. Obviously, you won't be able to write on the report that you participated extensively if the numbers do not support those claims. We have about two weeks left, so really make an effort to participate and get others to participate. Don't just log on and do a drive-by posting. Try to read the ongoing conversations and add something new!

Also, some important dates:
  • Our Quest panel is this Wednesday (4/21) on Campus Center room 205 at 3:15 pm. Please attend if you can!
  • There will be a Community Forum on May 10 from 12:30-2:30 pm (room tbd) to discuss the whole experience. More details forthcoming.

Course Announcement

For those of you on campus, you may be interested in this course I am teaching in the Fall:
Technology and Culture : BRC 420 CRN 94905 (undergrad) or BRC 520 CRN 94906 (graduate). An introduction to theoretical frameworks for understanding how technology shapes and is mutually shaped by ways of thinking about the self and the world. The course also looks at how artists, feminists and non-Western thinkers have provided alternative models for thinking about technology and culture. Meets 4:35 pm - 5:55 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays.


Week 14


Final Stretch

Hard to believe, but we are quickly approaching the end of the semester!
  • All you blog posts must be published at this point. Only commenting can continue (for those of you doing the extra credit). Remember to make a list of your blog posts on your user page so I can quickly locate them for grading.
  • For those of you doing the final comprehensive exam, it is due next week, on May 6.
  • For those of you doing final projects, they are due next week, on May 9.
  • This is going to be the last week of the Osw3go simulation, so make sure you remain active and start putting together your final report; see assignment description.

Readings

You have some readings to annotate and discuss. Please consult the Schedule.

Osw3go.net

Visits have been going up and down, as you can see:


The Quest panel went very well, I thought. A couple of you were there! If the intense discussion that unfolded during Q&A is any indication, I think we can look forward to an interesting forum on May 10th (more details forthcoming).

Any questions about anything, let me know!

Week 15


Final Week of classes!

No readings this week. Instead, you should be finishing your exam or final project.
  • Those of you not doing final projects, email me your exam by the end of May 6.
  • If you are doing a final project, your report must be posted to the wiki by May 9. Also, please add your name to this list, so that it's easy for the rest of the class to find your projects and review them.
  • Your Osw3go report must be posted to the wiki by May 9) (instructions here ).

Grades

I finally got a chance to catch up and grade the most recent notes/discussion assignments as well as your blogging and extra-credit assignments. Please check Angel to see your grades.

Course Evaluations

There are two types of course evaluations. You can complete them any time between now and the end of the semester.
  • Official Course Evaluations: Go to Angel, click on Learning Modules, and open the folder marked Online Course Survey -provide your feedback on this course!
  • Course Wrap Up Discussion. Go to this forum to join the discussion.

Osw3go.net Community Forum

Finally, don't forget that this is the last week to participate in the Osw3go.net simulation. If you are on campus, please come to the Community Forum next Tuesday, May 11th, from 12:30 to 2:30 pm in 114 Campus Center.

Contributors to this page: ProfMejias2980 points  and TestStudent29 points  .
Page last modified on Monday 10 of May, 2010 09:03:43 AM EDT by ProfMejias2980 points .