Blogs & Journalism: Introduction

"Blog" is a fancy buzzword that's causing all sorts of consternation in online journalism circles. Some journalists love blogs. Others break out into itchy hives whenever the word is uttered. In this exercise, you'll be asked to critically evaluate a variety of blogs with the goal of answering one simple question: Do blogs count as journalism?

Before you get too far into this exercise, understand that there's no right answer to this question. Rather, the assignment is meant to get you thinking about a key issue in today's newsrooms.

Regardless of the side you come down on -- for blogs or against, or maybe somewhere in the middle -- you will be asked to defend your opinion in a final essay and discussion. Students who can argue their points and back up key elements with firm examples will receive high marks. On the flip side, students who show a lack of understanding and/or back-up their conclusions with flimsy information will receive low marks. In the newsroom, there's rarely time to have a thoughtful ethical debate, so it's vital that you develop opinions and mental structures for handling all sorts of decisions, including the introduction of a new technology (such as blogs) into the traditional journalism process.

At any point in the process I encourage you to email me if you have questions or concerns (or you want to tell me how cool this class is -- I can hope, right?).

Let's begin with the Project Process.


Note: Information on this WebQuest's appropriate grade level(s) and Frameworks elements can be found on the Teacher Information page.


Image Credit: Blogs & Journalism image © Mac Slocum/The Independent Publisher.