Example project: Weblog use in Madison school civic engagement

Time for an example. Here's a sample slice of our Madison Media Map dealing with the local school case study that I'd be interested in helping a student investigate.

Once again today, the weblog by Jim Zellmer, was mentioned in this article in the Cap Times, School forum ignites sparks: Foes put heat on incumbents. The article, by Lee Sensenbrenner, mentioned in the last line that "Video footage from the forum is expected to be posted at www.schoolinfosystem.org, a Web site managed by north-sider Jim Zellmer."

1. Neighborhood choice: North side (because that's where Zellmer apparently lives); but really might work with any neighborhood.

2. Data source: Talk to Jim himself; talk to local print and broadcast reporters about whether and how they use Jim's site; talk to school officials about whether and how they use Jim's site; try to get some data on hits from Zellmer on how many times/day and from where his site is "hit". If others are talking to neighborhood residents, fold in questions about weblog use.

3. Specific questions to ask of respondents: Do you know of Jim Zellmer? Do you read his web site? Do you read other online sources of information dealing with Madison schools? What gives Zellmer's site the legitimacy to be cited in local print?

4. Research questions: What motivates the creation of local issue-based weblogs, how are they used in concert with traditional media, and how effective are they in mobilizing civic participation?