Media Literacy COMM-2413: Module 1
Week 1: Media Literacy
Assignment: Media Diary & Assessment of Media Use
This assignment has two parts and is designed to help you examine your personal media habits.
Part 1: Media Diary
Track your media use from when you wake up on Friday, 1/23, through bedtime on Tuesday, 1/27 using the Excel file provided in the course module.
What Counts as Media Use?
Media use includes:
- Reading
- Listening
- Viewing
- Playing games
The content should generally be created by people you do not personally know. For example;
| Counts as Media Use | Does Not Count |
|---|---|
| Watching TikTok videos from strangers | Watching a video your mom sent |
| Reading an influencer’s blog | Reading an email from your professor |
| Watching a television show | Talking with friends |
| Listening to a podcast | Reading a personal text message |
Media Diary Columns
| Column | What to Record | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Date of the activity in day/month/year format | 23/01/9999 |
| Time | Start and end time | 12:30–1:30 |
| Duration | Number of minutes spent | 45 minutes |
| Activity | App/platform, activity, and content | Watching TikTok videos from users |
| Context | What was happening around you and who you were with | Alone in my room after class |
| Medium | Device used | Smartphone |
Tip: Record activities immediately after they happen whenever possible. You can also pause before meals and before bed to update your diary.
Part 2: Media Diary Reflection
Write a 400–600-word essay analyzing your media diary.
Consider the following:
- How much time do you spend using media each day?
- What times of day do you use media most?
- Which forms of media do you use most?
- What types of content do you prefer?
- Do you typically use media alone or with others?
- What purposes does media serve in your life?
- Information
- Entertainment
- Reducing boredom
- Companionship
- Communication
- Other purposes
Important: Be honest. The goal is to understand your actual media habits and connect them to concepts discussed in class.
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