Lesson: Thursday, March 29, 2012

In Google Docs create a drawing, document, or presentation brainstorming ideas for a presentation on how the media extend our bodies. You can be as visual and creative as you like. Possible ideas:

Get portable Chrome at this link, so that you can utilize Google Docs' presentation and drawing modes (if you wish).

• create a poster describing how media extend our bodies
• make a public service announcement to make people aware of how the media change their environments
• create a visual representation of how a certain technology extends our physical body (example: a car as an extension of our legs...)

Or:

Set up an account at http://www.glogster.com to create your project.

For now, focus on brainstorming ideas.

Go to docs.google.com and get to it.

Lesson: Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Aim: What is "Media Ecology"?

Media ecology looks into the matter of how media of communication affects human perception, understanding, feeling, and value, as well as how our interaction with media facilitates or impedes our chances of survival. The word ecology implies the study of environments: their structure, content, and impact on people. 

From this point of view: since media have such an impact on ever aspect of our lives, we seek an understanding of how these media affect our lives.

In Google Docs create a drawing, document, or presentation brainstorming ideas for a presentation on how the media extend our bodies. You can be as visual and creative as you like. Possible ideas:

• create a poster describing how media extend our bodies
• make a public service announcement to make people aware of how the media change their environments
• create a visual representation of how a certain technology extends our physical body (example: a car as an extension of our legs...)

For now, focus on brainstorming ideas.

Go to docs.google.com and get to it.

Lesson: Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Aim: How do media technologies help us to transcend our physical bodies?

All communication media help us do this:

Read:

http://mcluhangalaxy.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/the-medium-is-the-message%E2%80%A6but-so-what/

"Every society is shaped by its technological or media arrangement."

Lesson: Monday, March 26, 2012

Choose one medium (technology that has enhanced our ability to communicate) and research it on the internet. Answer the questions below and submit.

Lesson: Friday, March 23, 2012

Utopia or Dystopia? (or somewhere-in-between-topia...)

Use the vast knowledge base of the internet to research and answer these questions.

Also, if you haven't created a Gmail account and sent an e-mail to mr.strohmaa@gmail.com, please do so.

Do not click this really important link!

Really important LINK

Don't do it!

You've been warned!

Doh!

McLuhan and Postman and the iMEDIAte future...

(see what I did there?)

Marshall McLuhan is considered by some to be the father of modern media studies. Read some of what he had to say about media's role in our lives:

http://marshallmcluhanspeaks.com/ 

Neil Postman was an educator, professor and innovator in the field of media studies as well. He was influenced by McLuhan, but also had some distinct ideas of his own. I was lucky enough to be a student of his when I was in college. Read some of what he had to say about media in our lives:

http://www.serendipity.li/jsmill/post_1.html 

http://www.mat.upm.es/~jcm/neil-postman--five-things.html