Background:

Electronically mediated communication (EMC) has changed the way we interact with each other in a lot of ways – both big and small. When we discussed listening and the communication process, we talked about how phones can be a big distraction. You probably hate it when someone else focuses on their phone instead of on you, but we are all (myself included) guilty of doing the same thing to others with our own phones. This assignment asks you to challenge the notion that we are all tethered to these devices in our pockets. Read on for more information.

The Paper:
1. Watch this video:

Look Up | Gary Turk – Official Video (Links to an external site.)
2. For one day, consciously limit your use of your phone. Leave it in your bag or in your car, or disable your social media apps. Be sure to tell people you are doing this assignment so they don’t think you’ve disappeared. Do not put yourself at risk of personal harm, of missing an important phone call, or of being fired by doing this assignment. Do your best to be present with the people around you, and avoid using your phone as a “crutch” when you’re bored or uncomfortable. In other words, Look Up.

3. Write a paper (2-4 pages, double-spaced) that answers the following questions:

1. How often do you typically use your phone, and for what?
2. Do you feel you’re addicted to your phone or social media? Support your answer.
3. What do you think of the “Look Up” video?
4. Tell me about your day without your phone. When was it? How did it feel? How did others react?
5. Explain how your communication with others was affected during this day.
6. Has this assignment affected how you’ll use your phone in the future? Explain.

From Dr. Dorsey-Elson:
The temptation to blow off this assignment or to not take it seriously is strong, I know, but please give it your best shot. Try your best to use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. No fair answering questions with one or two sentences — really think about the role of technology in our lives and how it’s affecting the way we communicate. Feel free to expand upon the questions asked above — and, of course, if not having your phone led you to any interpersonal communication-related epiphanies, I’d love to hear about it!