DUE Sunday, Jan 29 – 6 points
(Monday NOON deadline)

• Gradebook Declaration: I have published a blog post on my course blog that is between 300 and 1000 words long. The post contains at least one image and at least three text hyperlinks to other web sites. I have spellchecked and proofread the post.

For this assignment, you will need to create a post in your course blog related to the material from the Reading assignment and the Other Media assignment. In addition to the required materials, I would also recommend taking a look at this year’s Webby award winners and nominees: (Full List). I have found some great websites over the years by looking at these nominees, sites covering a wide range of topics.

You can find instructions for creating a blog post with the Introductory Blog Post assignment. You are not meant to summarize the contents of the material like a book report: you are instead meant to read the material, reflect on it, and use it as a starting point for your own thoughts. Here are some ideas and topics to get you started on your blog post:

• How much do you use the internet? Is it an important part of your life or is it just a mild distraction? Do you primarily consume content and media? Or do you use services and applications for various tasks?
• How do you primarily access the internet? Through a mobile phone, tablet, or desktop? Through a web browser or through apps?
• What are some of your favorite websites or services? Why do you like them? What could they do to improve?
• Take a look at the Webby nominees in a category you are interested in. Do you recognize all the sites? Do you visit any of them regularly?
• Take a look at the Webby nominees in a category you know nothing about. Do you recognize any of the sites? Were you surprised by the websites in the list, or were they what you would have expected?
• What did you think of Kevin Kelly’s predictions about the internet? What predictions have come to pass already? What predictions do you think will never come to pass? Does the future he describes excite you or terrify you?
• How are branding a company or product and branding yourself similar? How are they different? Has the digital age changed this? Do you agree with Skellie that personal branding is important? Or do you think it is hogwash?
• Much of what Skellie said seemed directed at freelancers. Is personal branding important for people who want a corporate job?
• Celebrities can often be considered brands. Which celebrities do you think have good personal brands and which ones have bad personal brands?

Once you have completed this assignment, make your gradebook declaration.

DUE Sunday, Jan 29 – 6 points
(Monday NOON deadline)