Monday, November 12, 2012

Network Analysis Assignment

For this assignment, you need to pick an online supernode -- a website that networks people who share common interests. The website you pick may or may not relate to the blogging community you participate in; you may do the assignment with a partner or by yourself. Everyone will briefly present their analysis in class this Wednesday (11/14).

You have two objectives: (1) create a Prezi that visualizes or maps out the general flow of information across the supernode's network; (2) present your analysis (claims + evidence) to explain how the supernode creates and sustains such a thriving network.

Your Prezi could include screenshots, images from the Web, and "homemade" graphics. Essentially, you need to provide a visual overview of how the supernode's content is solicited, generated, arranged, and accessed -- as well as remixed, rated, shared, or responded to (if applicable).

Here are some questions to jump start your analysis:

  • What interest(s) does the supernode cater to? 
  • How does it build a community around those interests?
  • Who generally uses and/or contributes content to the supernode's network?
  • How does the supernode promote its network and attract new users and content?
  • Why do they choose to submit their content to that network (instead of or in addition to other venues)?
  • In what ways can users engage with content and communicate with other users of that network?
  • What innovative features distinguish this supernode from similar websites that appear to host less thriving networks? 
*You may use your network analysis as this week's advocate post on your blog, provided that the supernode you examine relates to your blogging community. 

Monday, November 5, 2012

Social Reading

For the most part, the social media platforms we've discussed enable people to curate and share content, links, and status updates. Today -- to follow up on our conversation about Wikipedia -- we'll talk about a few more projects optimized for collaborative knowledge production, specifically platforms that target online reading experiences. 

Here's a few materials we'll look at in class: