Humanities Blogs Rock! Integrating information technology into the School of Liberal Arts and Academic Partnerships Shereen Hassanein

Project goals Demonstrate how blogging can positively contribute to student experience. Illustrate how student blogs neatly align with subject learning outcomes, essential employability skills and Seneca College’s planned core literacies. Encourage colleagues with varying degrees of enthusiasm and proficiency to see the value in student blogs.

Challenges Late adopters and confirmed luddites may not see the value in blogging—may see it as a gimmick. It works best if everyone is on board; and ‘everyone’ means professors across 2 campuses, part time and full-time. It works best if the blogging is continued over the 4 semesters of the LAT program. It will require some brief training of students and professors.

Reasons why it’s not just a gimmick Student blogs would cohere nicely with: The subjects’ leaning outcomes The essential employability skills The college’s core literacies

Subject Outcomes (HUM100) Display a general knowledge of intellectual and everyday life in the ancient world. Identify and discuss beliefs, values, and customs which are central to Western civilization. Illustrate how and why ideas, values, and customs have emerged and how they have developed over time. Illustrate how the past has shaped the present. Develop critical thinking skills in students enabling them to analyze and understand ideas, values, and customs.

Essential Employability Skills Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience. Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication. Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems. Locate, select, organize and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

Essential Employability Skills (cont.) Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources. Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others. Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals. Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

Seneca College’s 10 core literacies Written communication*** Oral communication* Quantitative literacy* Information literacy** Creative thinking** Ethical reasoning, personal and social responsibility** Inquiry and Analysis*** Critical thinking and problem solving** Digital literacy*** Intercultural knowledge and global perspective***

And if that wasn’t enough… Seneca’s 5 core principles: Inspiring cross-disciplinary, networked learning* Committing to Seneca’s Core Literacies** Offering high-quality, relevant programs and pathways* Committing to Teaching Excellence** Advancing partnerships, applied research and outreach opportunities*

Sample blog rock/