Activity overview:

This activity uses WordPress so that students can build the ability to communicate academic research through a non-academic medium. This helps them build towards their formal essay and can support development of digital writing skills.

Investigation

ABC – Investigation Type Activity
This activity relates to the ABC activity type of investigation and supports students with developing and applying research skills.

Activity in practice:

Academic: Dr Chris O’Rourke

School: Lincoln School of Design

As part of a formal assessment, students are required to create their own blog explaining a critical or controversial academic topic. Students are encouraged to reflect on and practice different tones of voice. This is concerned with developing skills in translating academic research for non-academic audiences, as well as digital skills.

To find out in more detail how this activity was embedded, click here.

1. Decide on the research topic. This can be done as individuals or the research can be shared between groups depending on cohort sizes.
2. Develop assessment criteria for the task
3. Set up wordpress blog using coursework.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk (Click here to access the site)
4. Prepare clear instructions on the task to share with the students
5. Prepare introductory workshop to students how to use the WordPress tool.
6. (optional) If time is available prepare an example of what you expect their outcomes to look like.

Below is one example of how this activity can be used with students.

1. Run workshop with students to share how to use WordPress & to explain the task that they have been given.
2. Split into individual/group topics.
3. Get students to follow guidance from the ‘Creating sites for coursework’ resource (see related resources box).
4. Give a deadline for final hand in.
5. Share and feedback comments with individuals groups – this can also be shown in lessons (with the students’ permission) to highlight examples of good practice.