2. Why This Course
• The Internet has undergone a seismic shift in the way
people communicate and share information online.
• Social web-based tools coupled with greater access
to higher-speed Internet have enabled user
communities to form worldwide around common
interests or goals.
• It is within these communities that users can easily
share, communicate, and participate to foster a
thriving online information sharing space.
• Consequently, an increasingly necessary skill in the
21st century for both individuals and organisations is
the ability to create and manage community-facing
websites
3. In general we will
• gain an understanding of the social and
technological developments underlying the
use of the Internet for the sharing of user-
generated content, the formation of social
networks and other types of community, and
communication within these communities.
• Students will devise, plan and develop (in
groups) a website for an online community to
cement these concepts.
4. Overall Course Objectives
Gain a solid grounding in social media
concepts and services
Practical experience implementing social
media to foster and grow online
communities
An appreciation of wider societal issues
resulting from changes on the internet
Practical experience writing and setting up
blogs and generating other online content
An opportunity to work collaboratively on a
web technology centred project
5. Expectations
Attend and actively participate in all classes
Contribute to online discussions on related
social spaces (e.g., wiki) and add content
Work collaboratively and constructively
with your fellow students
Create Twitter, Facebook and blogging
accounts and keep active (using your own
is fine)
Provide feedback by
talking, tweeting, completing online
surveys, etc.
6. Course will be Delivered thus
3 x classes per week on Tuesday, Wednesday, &
Thursday from 10:00-12:00
No textbooks or paper
In this room (COG05/Macgregor lab)
7. Assessing your performance
Assessment Weighting Total
Blog assignments 3 x 5% 15%
Group project: 40%
• Report 15%
• Prototype 15%
• Presentation 10%
Final Examination 45%
Total 100%
Group project with 3 other students
Presentations to expert panel (cf. Dragon’s Den)
Final examination to be digital!
8. This week (week 1)
Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
The course Set up social Social media services
media accounts (a closer look)
Introductory Add contents to Blogging
material own wiki pages
Setup blogs
