IM 355 01, 02 & 03: Interactive Media Theories, Concepts, and Practices

Spring 2020

(C) Concept Application Notes and Discussions

Each class day that we deal with the (21) course concepts, you will post a one-or-two-page (500-1000 words) "concept application note" to the Sakai forum. Once a week, we will add a discussion element to the assignment. On Thursdays, the post will be an application without discussion:

1) Summarize ALL OF THE PARTS of the concept.
Summarize your understanding of the concept BEFORE you do the application to the article. Restate the concept in your own words. DO NOT JUST CUT AND PASTE WHAT I'VE WRITTEN OR SAID. Do not use bullets or outlines. I need for you to show, clearly, that you understand the concept by, first, being able to describe it.

For example, in Concept One, you are expected to summarize/describe
a) the nature of
mediums (what makes a medium?)
b) the effects continuum (what are the three perspectives?)
c) the three approaches to the relationship between the mediuum and the message (so I can tell you know the names of their proponents and which approach belongs to who)

2) Summarize the assigned article.
After summarizing the concept, briefly summarize the article. Concept applications must be drawn from the article I indicate at the bottom of the concept notes.

3) Apply the article to part of the concept or part of the concept to the article
.
Finally, make the application of article to concept or concept to article.
The activity does NOT call for third summary.
The treatment MUST either apply the concept to the article or apply the reading to the concept. The note must clarify the concept, the article, and (especially) their connection.
Do not write: "the article applies to the concept because they are about the same thing(s)" or "the article is an example of the concept." I know those two things: I selected the article because it relates to the concept. The question is: HOW? Or, "what can you tell me about the ways that one modifies, contradicts, expands, integrates with" the other?

Mark each of the three steps and separate them by line spaces. Your answer should have three discreet parts. For example:

1) Concept 1 summary.

2) "Criminal machine learning" summary.

3) Application/Integration.

For 7 of the Concept Application Notes (generally, over weekends) you add discussion to your application note activity. When you add discussion:

First, complete the concept application note per normal;

Then, write questions (directed to your classmates) ABOUT YOUR APPLICATION NOTE. This will constitute the 4th part that must be done on those special days.

1) phrase questions other than as “yes” “no” questions;
2) for each question you ask, list (a) which of the three levels of higher order questioning it is (b) which type within that level your question is;
3) Your two questions are supposed to be about YOUR application note rather than about the concept or the reading in general. “I wrote that X,” what are the consequences if I’m right with that analysis”? The idea is to engage others in a conversation about your thinking;
4) Questions must be of two types (I’ll be able to tell from the way the threads work).
(a) respond directly to one of the answers that you get to your questions.
(b) engage an OTHER student in a conversation about one of their contributions.

Level 4: Analyze – Breaking information into parts to explore connections and relationships

  • List of Question Starters:
  1. Which events could not have happened?
  2. If ... happened, what might the ending have been?
  3. How is... similar to...?
  4. Can you distinguish between...?
  5. What was the turning point?
  6. What was the problem with...?
  7. Why did... changes occur?

Level 5: Evaluate – Justifying or defending a position or course of action

  • List of Question Starters:
  1. Judge the value of...
  2. Can you defend the character’s position about...?
  3. Do you think... is a good or bad thing?
  4. Do you believe...?
  5. What are the consequences...?
  6. Why did the character choose...?
  7. How can you determine the character’s motivation when...?

Level 6: Create – Generating new ideas, products or ways of viewing things

  • List of Question Starters:
  1. What would happen if...?
  2. Can you see a possible solution to...?
  3. Do you agree with the actions?...with the outcomes?
  4. What is your opinion of...?
  5. What do you imagine would have been the outcome if... had made a different choice?
  6. Invent a new ending.
  7. What would you cite to defend the actions of...?

Mark each of the four steps and separate them by line spaces. Your answer should have four discreet parts. For example:

1) Concept 1 summary.

2) "Criminal machine learning" summary.

3) Application/Integration.

4)
a) Can you see a possible solution to ...? (level 6, create; #2)
b) What are the consequences of ...? (level 5, evaluate; #5)

You cannot see concept application notes until after you post to Sakai forums. Always keep a copy for your records.

You will have to POST your contribution before you can engage with others by answering their questions.

I may share especially interesting notes with the class. Do not use any of the illustrations that I use in lecture or that appear in the book. Concept application notes are graded and scored for quality. Concept applications are posted to forums in Sakai (not attached). Use the "paste into" function in Sakai to avoid entering machine code. Concept applications are due before 11:59pm the day the concept is listed on the syllabus. An additional 12 hour grace period is allowed. I will not grade application notes submitted later than 12 noon following the due day.

© Ed Lamoureux, 2020

(A) Concept Exams

(B) Text Reading
Summaries/Analyses

(C) Concept Application
Notes & Discussions
(D) 3-part-Research Writing Project
(E) Extra Credit Grading Special Considerations
Concepts Schedule IM 355 Homepage