Spring Break
The Daily OrangeAmerican University goes 24 hours without electronics
Professor teaches "Understanding Mass Media" class how deep electronic media is enmeshed in society
By Katie Papo
Posted: 10/15/07, 10:58 PM EST Section: News
Danna Walker, a journalism professor at American University, had her "Understanding Media" class thinking "OMG!" when she challenged them to go without electronic media for 24 hours.
"I know that other professors around the country do this type of thing," Walker said. "I talk a lot about new media, new technology and whether young people keep up with the news. I kept feeling like there was a disconnection between myself and the students because I could see differences from the past that they weren't able to see."
The rules for the experiment were simple. Students were to go 24 hours without using any kind of electronic media. This includes television, iPods, radios, video games, computers and cell phones. Walker said the students could still read books, magazines and newspapers.
"I think this experiment demonstrated that most people most of the time are unaware of how deeply they are involved in mediated culture," said Chris Simpson, a communications professor at American University. "One of the strengths about this experiment was it helped people see for themselves how absorbed they are and how surrounded they are by media."
Once the students had unplugged their lives for 24 hours, they each had to write a reflection on their experiences.
"I got the impression that they really did do the experiment," Walker said. "Enough of the students seemed to take it on as a challenge."
The general consensus from students shows it was undoubtedly challenging.
"Some students felt completely lost," Walker said. "There was also a theme that many students saw it as an addiction."
David Mindich, a professor of journalism at St. Michael's College and author of "Tuned Out: Why Americans Under 40 Don't Follow the News," said he thinks it is a great idea to celebrate the times when society has a break from the media.
"I think we can say that we are more wired than we've ever been as a society, and particularly young people spend a tremendous time in front of the screen or listening to things electronically," Mindich said. "And it is important to take a break from the constant barrage of media."
"I know that other professors around the country do this type of thing," Walker said. "I talk a lot about new media, new technology and whether young people keep up with the news. I kept feeling like there was a disconnection between myself and the students because I could see differences from the past that they weren't able to see."
The rules for the experiment were simple. Students were to go 24 hours without using any kind of electronic media. This includes television, iPods, radios, video games, computers and cell phones. Walker said the students could still read books, magazines and newspapers.
"I think this experiment demonstrated that most people most of the time are unaware of how deeply they are involved in mediated culture," said Chris Simpson, a communications professor at American University. "One of the strengths about this experiment was it helped people see for themselves how absorbed they are and how surrounded they are by media."
Once the students had unplugged their lives for 24 hours, they each had to write a reflection on their experiences.
"I got the impression that they really did do the experiment," Walker said. "Enough of the students seemed to take it on as a challenge."
The general consensus from students shows it was undoubtedly challenging.
"Some students felt completely lost," Walker said. "There was also a theme that many students saw it as an addiction."
David Mindich, a professor of journalism at St. Michael's College and author of "Tuned Out: Why Americans Under 40 Don't Follow the News," said he thinks it is a great idea to celebrate the times when society has a break from the media.
"I think we can say that we are more wired than we've ever been as a society, and particularly young people spend a tremendous time in front of the screen or listening to things electronically," Mindich said. "And it is important to take a break from the constant barrage of media."
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