Category Archives: speakingofbicycles

BJ Fogg, co-author of “Computers and Credibility”

As we discussed today, a smart credibility assessment doesn’t just look at one source of information. It’s often worth it to dig a little deeper.

Here’s the website of BJ Fogg (bjfogg.com), co-author of the article we read for today. This is a good place to learn more about Fogg and his research… but a full credibility assessment would go even further.

If you are interested in psychology, I recommend watching the video.

 

Join Speaking of Bicycles

Great! You’ve created your blog and made your first post.

You can experiment this weekend with adding tags and other information.

The next step is to join the course blog. You can do this in the “My Class” tab — it can be found in the upper left corner of your screen and looks kind of like a book icon.

From the “My Class” tab, choose “Join a Class.” Then you need to enter the name of our class blog. I think it’s the URL:
https://usfblogs.usfca.edu/speakingofbicycles/

or maybe just speakingofbicycles

See illustration below!

Screen Shot 2016-08-25 at 4.52.37 PM

Carlsson, Critical Mass

Chris Carlsson, a San Francisco activist and writer, was there at the beginning of Critical Mass (or the “Commute Clot,” as it was originally known).

Since the first Critical Mass more than twenty years ago, the event has spread around the world. Here in San Francisco, as elsewhere, it has sometimes caused controversy.

In short, the event has variable credibility: some people strongly approve of it, while others are sharply critical of it (or of some elements of it).

Your assignment is to read some selections in a book edited by Carlsson (many other people contributed to the book, as you’ll see). Read Carlsson’s Introduction and a few of the selections that follow. This will give you a sense of the participants’ view of the event. The PDF is linked here.

The entire book is available at the USF library in print form and at nearby bookstores such as Green Apple Books.

If you’re thinking of going to Critical Mass, you might also want to watch the rest of USF student Ellie Vanderlip’s film The Human Motor.

The ride begins at Justin Herman Plaza on the last Friday of every month. People begin assembling around 5 or 5:30 pm, and they actually begin riding around 6 pm usually. There is no leader and no one is in charge.

How to Create a USF Blog

Task: Create your own USF Blog

Effective communicators need to use a wide range of online tools to make an impact. For this reason, Speaking of Bicycles is managed through a WordPress site hosted by USF.

In order to turn in your work and interact online with other students and with community partners, you’ll need to create your own blog and link it to the course site.

Working with WordPress (the software behind the course site and millions of other sites around the world) will help you develop valuable communication skills and a better understanding of what’s “under the hood” of a lot of the internet.

WordPress also allows us to have an “open connected” course, where community partners and students can interact and share information and ideas.

The Center for Instructional Technology has prepared instructions for creating your own USF blog.

Download this PDF to learn about the basic features of WordPress and USFBlogs.

 

USF’s Speaking Center

PUBLIC SPEAKING COACHING

The Speaking Center at the University of San Francisco is available to help all USF students prepare for public speaking–including speeches, oral presentations, team presentations, and powerpoint demonstrations.

Coaches can help you with a variety of aspects of public speaking, including:

  • effective oral communication skills
  • achieving engaging delivery
  • using transitions effectively
  • developing concise and clear main points
  • crafting introductions and conclusions.

Coaches are trained, skilled, and experienced public speakers.

Drop in or schedule an appointment through Tutortrac.

Drop-In Hours:
Monday – Friday 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and 4:00 – 5:00 pm

Malloy Hall 103 (near that bike repair stand!)

To Make Appointments:
Use tutortrac https://tutortrac.usfca.edu
Email: Speakingcenter@usfca.edu, or stop by the center.

Center Supervisor: Jacquelyn Horton jrhorton@usfca.edu
Director of Public Speaking: Michelle Lavigne mrlavigne@usfca.edu