blog.torontomu
blog.torontomu.ca is our blogging platform powered by WordPress Multisite (external link) .
This site is intended to provide Toronto Metropolitan University courses with an alternative to the static website method of content delivery. Blogs can be used to enhance classroom communication and writing skills, as well as give a voice to groups and individuals.
- Online blog assignments and collaborative writing
- Open sharing of course content
- Department blog
Details
Integrated with D2L Brightspace?: No
Contract Start: 2017
Contract End: TBD
Instructions
Getting Started
To get started or to learn more about using the WordPress multisite, please visit Request a Blog.
Update your course outline
Several key considerations must be addressed when using educational technology tools in your course. It is your responsibility to ensure that students are fully informed about the tool, its costs, and other details to align with University policy and Provincial acts.
We strongly encourage you to include all of this essential information in your course outline, to ensure students are aware of how it impacts them.
Refer to the TMU course outline template for some ways to incorporate this information into your course outline and to the Senate Course Outline Policies for guidance on what needs to be included in your course outlines.
Sample course outline content
This course utilizes TMU’s WordPress Blog system, an external educational technology tool in addition to D2L Brightspace. This tool is used to enhance your course learning experience by creating various content formats, allowing and encouraging learners to collaborate by showcasing projects, ideas, and reflections.
- Costs: The tool does not result in additional costs to you.
- Other requirements: Some additional technical requirements for its usage include:
- You will only be able to access the course blog on the network if you have an account and have been added to the blog site.
- Use your TMU credentials to login to the blog network.
- Login directly to the admin dashboard of your course blog by adding /wp-admin to the end of your blog’s address.
- Account creation: An account is automatically created through your enrollment in this D2L Brightspace course.
- Data privacy and usage: This tool will have access to your name, TMU email address, and any content, media, or academic work posted to the blog site.
Typically, student work is only visible to the members of the blog site unless noted by the instructor that the blog will be made public.
The course blog site with all students' work will be retained within TMU's WordPress system for 1 year after the end of the term, in case of potential appeals or FIPPA requests.
An exception will apply to the data retention of the blog site should the instructor choose to use the site in the following ways:
- Make the blog (and the students' work) public, or
- Run the blog site beyond the duration of the course and past the end of the term, or
- Use the blog site and/or student work in another context.
For all the above listed options, it is required to obtain written consent from each student of the course to proceed.
- Opt-out options: This tool does have an opt-out policy, and you may inquire with your instructor regarding alternative assessment options, if available.
For technical support regarding Blogs at TMU, please visit TMU’s blog.torontomu.ca Student Guide.
Resources
Visit blog.torontomu.ca
Learn how to use blogs to enhance classroom communication and writing skills, as well as for project planning and scaffolding activities.
Additional Information
What is a blog?
A blog is a frequently updated publication of thoughts and comments in the form of a website. A blog site has journal-type entries displayed in reverse chronological order.
Most people use a blog as:
- A journal or diary, where content is added or updated regularly.
- A static website, where changes are not made regularly, but can be easily made, without having to know the nitty-gritty of website design. A blog typically has a simplistic way of adding (and modifying) content, which makes it ideal for general users and quick updates.
Use Blogs in the Classroom
Blogging assignments are great for increasing class collaboration and discussion. Students have the opportunity to create posts, as well as provide feedback on others' posts by commenting. Instructors can choose to create one blog with all students in the course as authors, or request a blog for each student in the class.
