Blogging along: Using research blogs to teach information literacy and critical thinking in the creative arts

Claire StewartLibrary and Student ServicesUniversity of Cumbria

Learning Enhancement Advisers

‘Many identify themselves with their creative practice and see writing in opposition to that practice. They find it constraining

and difficult ... and painful in itself’ (Borg, 2012).

1. Developed critical perspectives on design culture and the contemporary role of the designer.

2. Explored the possibilities of integrating theory and criticism into design practice.

3. Developed the ability to place design within a broad frame of reference. 

4. Demonstrated the application of study, analytical and research skills.

5. Demonstrated the ability to locate and select a wide range of information sources correctly

Design in Context 2: Learning Outcomes

An online account of group research process

-Includes primary and secondary research

-Includes visual and textual information

-Each post must come with a “critical comment”

What is a research blog?

The beauty of blogs

Aims

Information literacy

Locating sources, evaluating,

refining topics

Ethical useReferencing and

Copyright

Critical analysisCommentary, debate and discussion

Theory and practice

History and context, links with

studio practice

ReflectionSkills developed,

knowledge gained

Visual literacyInterpreting, decoding

Postmodernism –media, consumerism, cultural hybridity,

Gender – feminism, representation in media, sexualities

Globalisation – cultural imperialism, global branding,

Subcultures – youth culture, new media, specific subcultures

Design Ethics – environmentalism, sustainability

Cybercultures – technology and identity, social networks

Themes

Session overview

Is ‘hipster’ a subculture?

Use of academic text to deconstruct visual sources related to popular culture

Examples

Supreme Ladies Gender Blog

Temple of Cyber Knowledge

Gender Research Blog

Around the Globe with 8 People

Evaluation

Student feedback

Research blogs sound less terrifying than an academic essay but you can warble as much as you like!

I find blogging an interesting and contemporary method to present research. It’s nice to have a bit of diversity and present work publicly in an environment we are familiar with.

Research blogs are better than essays…feel more involved and stimulated

It focuses on research (hardest part) and how to analyse it. Makes us explore more themes and discuss more.

It makes research more friendly!

• Further development of critical thinking skills

• Follow up sessions

• Peer reviews

• Roll-out to new MA Creative Media students and other programmes

Future Developments