Topic: Language in Cyberspace

How are our tools affecting the way we think about the world?

Due Today: Ex 2: Personal Biography of Writing Technology

How has developing technology affected the way you write?

Assigned Text: Wikipedia, ''Emoticons''

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emoticons

Assigned Text: Jones, ''The First Smiley :-)''

http://research.microsoft.com/~mbj/Smiley/Smiley.html

Assigned Text: Jerz, ''FIRST SMILEYS (APRIL 1979) (via Jerz's LiteracyWeblog)''

http://jerz.setonhill.edu/weblog/permalink.jsp?id=2797

Key Concept: RRRR (Read, React, Respond, Reflect)

A four-step process that helps you prepare for a productive class discussion using the SHU weblog system.

We will start out slowly at first, only completing a part of the RRRR process, so that the whole class has the chance to adjust to it. Once we start the full process, for each item or group of items marked as "Text" on the course outline, Read the assignment, react by posting an "agenda item" about 24 hours before the class discussion (see glossary), respond to 2-4 items posted by your peers, and reflect on the experience in a half-page essay (100-200 words; you may wish to print it out so you can refer to it when called on).

Key Concept: Agenda Item

A short homework assignment, comprising a brief quotation from the assigned text,, a non-obvious question or observation, and a contribution to the class discussion (if called on).