blogging along: using research blogs to teach information literacy and critical thinking in the...
TRANSCRIPT
Blogging along: Using research blogs to teach information literacy and critical thinking in the creative arts
Claire StewartLibrary and Student ServicesUniversity of Cumbria
‘Many identify themselves with their creative practice and see writing in opposition to that practice. They find it constraining
and difficult ... and painful in itself’ (Borg, 2012).
1. Developed critical perspectives on design culture and the contemporary role of the designer.
2. Explored the possibilities of integrating theory and criticism into design practice.
3. Developed the ability to place design within a broad frame of reference.
4. Demonstrated the application of study, analytical and research skills.
5. Demonstrated the ability to locate and select a wide range of information sources correctly
Design in Context 2: Learning Outcomes
An online account of group research process
-Includes primary and secondary research
-Includes visual and textual information
-Each post must come with a “critical comment”
What is a research blog?
Aims
Information literacy
Locating sources, evaluating,
refining topics
Ethical useReferencing and
Copyright
Critical analysisCommentary, debate and discussion
Theory and practice
History and context, links with
studio practice
ReflectionSkills developed,
knowledge gained
Visual literacyInterpreting, decoding
Postmodernism –media, consumerism, cultural hybridity,
Gender – feminism, representation in media, sexualities
Globalisation – cultural imperialism, global branding,
Subcultures – youth culture, new media, specific subcultures
Design Ethics – environmentalism, sustainability
Cybercultures – technology and identity, social networks
Themes
Is ‘hipster’ a subculture?
Use of academic text to deconstruct visual sources related to popular culture
Examples
Supreme Ladies Gender Blog
Temple of Cyber Knowledge
Gender Research Blog
Around the Globe with 8 People
Student feedback
Research blogs sound less terrifying than an academic essay but you can warble as much as you like!
I find blogging an interesting and contemporary method to present research. It’s nice to have a bit of diversity and present work publicly in an environment we are familiar with.
Research blogs are better than essays…feel more involved and stimulated
It focuses on research (hardest part) and how to analyse it. Makes us explore more themes and discuss more.
It makes research more friendly!