What is to be studied

This introductory course to practical Web 2.0: Social Networks is divided into two different blocks.

In the first of these blocks (subjects 1 and 2) there will be an introduction to web 2.0 and a revision will be made of the web services that are considered to be fundamental in the acquisition of the competences anticipated by the student.

The second of the blocks (subjects 3, 4 and 5) is devoted to an introductory study of what social networks are and in particular the social networks on the Internet. In this block, the two essential subjects are subject 3 and subject 4; subject 5 has been included by way of an expansion of the previous ones. 

How studying is to be carried out

The practical Web 2.0: Social Networks course has been created under the maxim “learn as you do”, and therefore the acquisition of knowledge will be based on the fulfilment of tasks (some individual and others in groups).

To this end, xx groups of 6/7/8 students are formed and they must coordinate themselves internally. For the group to function well and for its cohesion, it is important for the students of each group to contact each other as soon as possible in order to build a compact, efficient work team. This is of great importance: remember that a substantial part of the overall performance depends on the quality of the work carried out in and by the group and it is for this reason that we encourage all participants to contribute with all their resources and dedication so that the groups may carry out the tasks assigned, helping each other, contributing to the cohesion and development of the group and, in general, making the experience beneficial to each member of each group.  

Assessment

In everyday University teaching, assessment of the practical Web 2.0: Social Networks course is carried out on a continuous basisso that there is no final exam at the end of it. As has already been pointed out, the acquisition of knowledge will be based on the carrying out of tasks and students’ marks will be given after assessment of the tasks. Bear in mind that an important part of the final mark will be obtained for good group work and for showing active, collaborative and positive participation.  

Criteria

The general criteria for the assessment of assignments and contributions related with the activities will be as follows: 

A correct fulfilment of the content of the activities 

Appropriate criteria regarding assessments, opinions, etc...

Adequate documentation of the assignments carried out

Positive, participative attitude

Teamwork and, particularly, collaboration with and help given to team members in the activities 

Innovation in the use and application of resources 

Originality: in the subject matter chosen for the activities, in the presentations, in the tasks carried out, etc

Virtual classroom and relationship with the teaching staff 

Compliance with deadlines for submitting the tasks assigned 

We recommend that the practical Web 2.0: Social Networks course be developed, as far as that which is essential is concerned, through the use of the virtual classroom provided for the purpose; this does not hinder the use of other web areas which may be specified when the activity so requires. 

Monitoring of the student

If these materials are to be used within an institutional training course of action it is recommended that the teaching staff should monitor the student’s progress with respect to the course aims by correcting the tasks assigned and by using the functions that the various web environments provide for monitoring users’ activities. 

It is recommended that each group should create and keep a blog regarding this subject so that it may serve as a web log for the course (as well as serving as an element of self reflection and recapitulation of all that has been done on the course, the information from the blog could be of interest to the teaching staff when checking data resulting from the monitoring that has been obtained by other means). In Activity 5 the work is begun with blogs.

With a view to illustrating what could be considered good practice when creating the blogs, it is recommendable to: 

1.- Keep them in a collaborative way; i.e., among all the members of the group
2.- Provide them with a content, presentation and attractive formats
3.- Update them frequently; it is recommended that each member of the group should make at least one entry per week
4.- Establish lines or axes which are of interest to the group and which make it possible to organise the entries in a reasonably coherent fashion.
5.- Enhance them (photos, links, labels, videos, etc.)

Programme and Calendar

Activity planning

As can be seen in the table, the distribution of the different activities makes it possible to be continuously active throughout the course, the aim of which is to guarantee the progressive learning of the student. It is therefore important to become implicated in and committed to carrying out the activities proposed. 

Some activities are compulsory and others are complementary; among the latter, we would draw special attention to Activity 10, aimed at building up a social network with the social software recommended in the activity.