Blog
Read the short essay on this blog (which contextualizes influential essays from the mid 20th century, that still define what we do in new media studies). It prepares you to read an essay I published in early 2003, around the time I was interviewing for my current job at Seton Hill. At that time, Google was still something of a feisty upstart, Wikipedia was just two years old, and iPhone, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube did not exist.
The reading assignment asks you to respond to my article, but also engage with some of my source material (essays by Vannevar Bush and Richard Dawkins), as well as your own experience as a student at a high-tech university. Read More »
Activity Blog
Class will not meet today.
Please read and respond to the readings before today’s time slot, as usual.
Shortly before class, I will post an additional online activity.
The activity will involve watching “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” (15 min), using it as an example of a media representation of the power of print, and referring to details from the movie to illustrate a point you want to make about ideas you have encountered in our academic readings.
You do not have to do the online activity from 2:20-3:35; it will be available somewhat earlier (sometime before class on Thursday), and I will start evaluating submissions Friday at 1pm.
Details
Part 1:
Read and write a brief response to this comment about citing a bootleg Kindle. (You may respond in any format, using any method. All I ask is that I can read your response.)
Part 2:
Write a richly-linked blog entry (including appropriate quotations and images) on one of the following topics. Read peer submissions, and post a total of 2-4 substantial comments.
- Write a review of the iPad app “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” (iTunes, $4.99). It’s not just a copy of the video, it’s something between an interactive book and a game. In your review, demonstrate your ability to make relevant connections to course material. (For general tips on writing game reviews, see “Purpose and Structure of a Game Review,” but please note that your assignment for today does not ask you to write a full-blown journalistic review; just respond to the app the same way you would respond to any assigned reading, emphasizing synthesis and evaluation over summary, and producing a few thoughtful paragraphs.)
OR
- Drawing on 1) your “Writing and I” exercise, 2) your reaction to the representation of the power of print in the Morris Lessmore movie (and, if you wish, the game), and 3) any technology that you feel affects the role of the writer, write a reflective blog entry that takes a stand that illustrates something you have learned in EL336 so far. (At this point, I’m more interested in your ability to make a new connection than repeat a fact.)
Rubric:
5 possible participation points (out of total 200 for the course).
- 5: Entrepreneurial/professional (Mastering Talents)
Before class, substantial blog for memex response and evidence of meaningful participation in online discussion; by Friday’s deadline, successful demonstration of advanced thinking and writing in Part 1 and Part 2. A working link with the proper URL has been submitted, with a meaningful and intriguing explanation.
- 4: Thoughtful/acceptable (Developing Strengths)
Before class, acceptable blog for memex response and productive online participation; by Friday’s deadline, acceptable completion of Part 1 and Part 2. Your submission is reasonable easy to find.
- 2: Good Faith (Emerging Skills)
Evidence of a significant attempt to meet the requirements of the assignment on time.
- 2-1: Incomplete
- 0: Not attempted.