Student Learning Outcomes:
As
a result of completing this assignment, the student will be able to:
 | discuss how the internet has changed the way
we live (the way US society operates, the way the world works).
|
| use the Internet as a research tool |
| exchanging ideas on the WebBoard (message board) |
| write a research paper with footnotes for Internet
as well as traditional sources in the proper format |
Procedure:
This assignment has 5 parts
- topic selection and reference sources -
(4% of course grade)
- comments on the topic select of 3 or more fellow students
- this means following the hyperlinks and offer constructive
criticism (2% of course grade) such as
 | this is an especially good source, be sure to blah blah..
|
| this source seems somewhat "off topic" except blah blah .. |
| additional research on blah would be helpful |
| why not check out ... |
draft with 5 proper footnotes and bibliography -
(2% of course grade)
comments of the drafts of 3 or more fellow classmates -
(2% of course
grade)
final paper - (3% of course grade)
| Select a topic
and post it along with the sources (URLs each accomplice by an a 2-3 sentence
description of the the site provides) that you plan to read and reference in
your paper |
| Create a draft and post it on the WebBoard (as a Word attachment
so proper footnotes are displayed and feedback with Track Changes
can be used) |
| Read the Draft papers of other students and comment on them |
| Incorporate feedback into your paper
|
| Write the final paper with
proper footnotes and bibliography and post it on the WebBoard (as a Word
attachment so proper footnotes are displayed and feedback using
Track
Changes used) |
Select the topic for a 2 to 3,000 word (4-6 pages with 3 to 5
illustrations) paper on "How the Internet
has changed everything" focusing on
one
specific area
such as listed below or one agreed upon with the professor
prior to beginning:
| Purchasing books, purchasing cars, buying electronics,
purchasing clothing, auctions |
| Planning travel and traveling
|
| Doing research
|
| Meeting a mate |
| Finding a job
|
| Getting the news
|
| Politics
|
| Sports
|
| Spending your time
|
| Cyberslacking
|
| Getting an education
|
| Cheating in online |
| Bring people together or producing a digital divide
|
| Communicating (mail, phone, email, chat, etc.) |
Post your topic on the WebBoard
Use Internet search engines to locate:
- a minimum of 4 sites with good articles that discuss
the topic
- a minimum of 4 sites that examples of sites that provide
the service under discussion.
Post the URLs and a sentence or two about each site selected
offers on the
WebBoard.
Find the Artcles about the topic first since they will suggest sites
that provide the service. Example articles might be:
Example sites that provide the service might be
| For Online dating: Friendster,com www.Match.com personals.yahoo.com,
and JDate.com. |
| For Online travel:
| Kayak.com compare rates
on airfare and hotels by searching the web for up-to-date prices
offered at various sites |
| openlist.com seaarches
the web for reviews of hotels and restaurants and links to them
...also gets rates for hotels via Expedia, Orbittz and others |
|
Read the online articles and find timely and significant facts that
you feel should be quoted in you paper. Take the hyperlinks to
further discussion of the topic.
Sign up for one or more of the services.
For example for online dating complete your profile and search for
matches (that part is free). Make note of charges and information
solicited.
Make a table comparing the 4 services you selected. Take a few
screen captures tat demonstrate what you'll be reporting in your paper.
Write a 900 to 1,100 word (4 to 4 page, including illustrations) paper with a minimum of 5
properly footnoted internet sources. Quote
sources that support your position.
Your paper should be very specific. Including quotes
from sites that demonstrate the point you are trying to make and then
footnote them..
Include pictures of screens (screen scrape them.) For
example if discussing online dating you might show:
and  that shows
the information solicited by Yahoo
Many sites such as Yahoo personals have a nice Tour, be sure to take
it ad possibly use those screen in your page.
Your paper should have:
| An opening paragraph which summarize the main topics that the
paper will present. |
| Several paragraphs (4 to 6) where you discuss how the internet
has changed the area on which the paper focuses.
For example, with
finding jobs consider:
| from the job hunter's (potential employee) point of
view
 | posting a resume, |
| getting info on employers, etc. |
| how has the internet made the task better and how is it
now worse for the job hunter. |
|
| look at the issue from the side of the employer.
| How is finding a employees using the Internet better for
the employer then prior methods? Larger pool of potential
employees, less expensive to fine and screen? |
| Are they any drawbacks. |
|
| explain the similarities with traditional methods. Can
Internet and traditional methods be used together? Is there
synergy? |
|
| Several illustrations (be sure to footnote the source) |
| A concluding paragraph where the point(s) made
in the paper are reiterated |
| A bibliography with the footnotes sources and additional places
that provided background information |
Write a proper research paper with a bibliography and at least 5
Internet sources.
Note research papers use the 3rd person, no "you",
no "I", no "we", no "us".
For example, use the job hunter or the date seeker or the online
traveler or the client or they.
Stick to YOUR topic.
Avoid generalizations
Sentences like
| "Today, Internet has transformed the way people live, work, play
and communicates" |
| "It has become a powerful tool in most of our daily activities
and our decision making" |
| "There is always a good and a bad side to everything that gets
done" |
Are obvious, filler and count against your score. This is not
as essay.
Be sure to briefly discuss how things were done before the internet
and the advantages and disadvantages of doing it with the internet.
There are many many sites on the internet that explain how to write a
good research paper or term paper. Here are some:
studenthacks.org:
How to Write a Research Paper - Step by Step
If you find more, post them for your fellow students.
There are as many (or more sites where you can find essays, term
paper etc for sale or for free.
Read
Battling Term-Paper Cheats for TIME May. 17,
2007
Include a minimum of 5 proper internet footnotes
Footnote advice:
Visit one of UCC's ALCs if
you need help. Get it from a friend, but make sure that your paper is
original work.
Post a draft your paper on the WebBoard.
Read the Drafts of 3 or more students. You can do this as soon as
papers are posted. Read some of the source articles noted. Ask
questions, point out arguments, make suggestions. See Research paper
assignment for details.
Make 10 to 20 meaningful posts.
Revise your paper by incorporate the suggestions of classmates. Save
it as a MS Word document and attach it to your WebBoard post. |
's
Match.com gives tips for camera-shy Web daters
Easy Bib
Citation Machine 
Research
Guide
has
footnotes