Example of NewsBlog

1. Includes a link to the article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/business/28boeing.html?_r=1&ref=global

2. Includes a short summary of the article.

This article outlines Boeing’s struggles as it prepares to launch its 787 Dreamliner passenger plane. It is one of Boeing’s most popular programs which is projected to bring over 100 billion dollars in sales. Boeing has experienced several problems managing this project and is over 2 years behind schedule in delivering their first Dreamliner.

3. Identifies the topic(s) from our syllabus that the article covers.

1.5 External Environment, 5.1 Production Methods, 5.4 Quality Assurance, and 5.8 Project Management

4. Applies one business tool/theory/technique to the organization.

1.5 External Environment

The article mentions a few economic external factors. Air travel and freight shipments have decreased recently and the airline industry has lost approximately $9 billion this past year. This will affect Boeing since their main customers are airline companies. If these companies are losing money, then they may not be able to purchase new planes from Boeing. Also, with the rise of fuel costs, airline companies are looking for more fuel-efficient planes to cut costs. Based on this factor, Boeing should continue to produce planes like Dreamliner that are lighter and more fuel-efficient than existing planes.

Blogging through Business

Throughout the year, you are expected to read current events pertaining to the specific topics we are studying. For this course you will comment on business articles using a blog.

Remember when choosing sources to read, it is important to consider the author’s (and publisher’s) academic background and/or bias. Also, it is best to find articles that focus on individual organizations for this course.

Some recommended sources include:

• Business Week
• The Economist
• Canadian Business
• South China Morning Post
• Fortune
• The Wall Street Journal
• Financial Times
• International Herald Tribune

All of these sources can be accessed through the ProQuest k-12 database (www.proquestk12.com/myproducts) in our library. If you find better sources, please send them to me and I will add them to our list.

For this assignment you are to post one blog entry on your page about every two weeks (specific due dates will follow) that:

1. Includes a link to the article.

2. Includes a short summary of the article.

3. Identifies the topic(s) from our syllabus that the article covers.

4. Applies one business tool/theory/technique to the organization.

In addition, you are to post thoughtful comments or questions to your classmates’ blog.

You will be assessed on this assignment using the following rubric.

	Master - 3	Apprentice - 2	Novice - 1	Omitted - 0
Critical Thinking	Blog entry demonstrates an upper level of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.	Blog entry demonstrates moments of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.	Blog entry demonstrates very little or no analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. It instead focuses primarily on knowledge recall.	There is no blog entry for the prompt.
Collaboration	Student comments on the postings of at least 3 other students. Replies show careful thought to the comments of others, challenge peers to think critically, and spark scholarly dialogue in a manner that promotes conversation.	Student comments on the postings of at least 2 other students. Replies show some thought to the comments of others and promotes conversation.	Student comments on the postings of at least 1 other student. Replies are surface level and do not promote conversation.	Student comments on the postings of no other students.
Presentation	The blog is well organized and structured, with consistent use of appropriate business terminology. Sources are appropriately referenced and an appropriate bibliography is provided. Any bias from the source is discussed.	The blog is sufficiently organized and structured with some use of appropriate business terminology. Sources are appropriately referenced. Any bias from source is acknowledged.	The blog is disorganized and lacks structure. Sources are not appropriately referenced..	The blog is blank or exceeds 500 words.
Timeliness	Blog entry is posted prior to the deadline.	Blog entry is posted 1 day after the deadline.	Blog entry is posted 2 – 3 days after the deadline.	Blog entry is posted more than 3 days after the deadline.