I had emailed David privately about a regular assignment of mine and he encouraged me to post the assignment here. It's about media more broadly than just the internet, but raises interesting questions about defining mass media (e.g., what aspects of the internet could be considered "mass media"?), the role of mass media in our everyday lives, and so on. This was originally assigned to my intro to mass media criticism classes, though I have adapted a television specific version for my classes in TV studies. I have yet to try an internet-specific version, though. The first part of the assignment is for them to keep a diary of every encounter with the mass media throughout a week, describing the context and event and reflecting on these. (for some reason students tend to give me lists of ads that they've spotted throughout the week and often ignore other content, like programs, songs, and so on) The second part was called the NO MEDIA WEEK. For one week students are to avoid the mass media (hence the connection to the "Logging Off" thread). It is impossible in this society to do this completely, but for that time students will not listen to the radio, CDs, cassettes, or any other mass media; no TV, movies (in the theater or in DVD players), no newspapers, magazines, or books unless specifically required for class or work. Students are expected to make a good faith effort to abide by these rules for these seven days; if a TV is on, move to another room, same with a radio; have the person listening put on headphones. Do not seek out the media and do not cheat. I will allow students to tape (or DVR) their favorite shows if they cannot live without them, but they can't be viewed until after the week is over. Students then write up a diary reflecting on the week, the times they couldn't avoid mass media, or the times they deliberately cheated. This assignment usually leads to a good discussion of the role of different media in our lives, the definition of mass media (e.g., the internet is not off limits, but one has to be selective in one's uses), and alternatives. I'm always surprised at the creative ways that students find alternatives (going to see a live play or concert, getting friends talking, playing games, and so on) and likewise surprised when some students just can't think of any alternative to consuming the mass media than sleeping. Cheers, Greg Dr. J. Macgregor Wise Associate Professor Department of Communication Studies Arizona State University 4701 West Thunderbird Road Glendale, AZ 85306-4908 (602) 543 6646 (602) 543 6612 (fax) -----Original Message----- [...] i am curious to learn whether other people on this list use exercises that encourage students to log off rather than log on. if so, what do you do and how do you students respond? please share your classroom exercises with the list! david silver http://silverinsf.blogspot.com _______________________________________________ The Air-L@listserv.aoir.org mailing list is provided by the Association of Internet Researchers http://aoir.org Subscribe, change options or unsubscribe at: http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-l-aoir.org Join the Association of Internet Researchers: http://www.aoir.org/