MMC 1000 PAPER NO.2

1. Have you enjoyed reading the Wall Street Journal? Explain why you have enjoyed it, or why not.
Answer: My experience reading the Wall Street Journal is most likely similar to those of many students. At first, I thought it would be interesting reading the newspaper since I had never actually read one before, but after time the articles just did not appeal to me what so ever. Everyday, reading the newspaper became a drag and not enjoyable to the least. It saddens me that I couldn't get more influenced by the paper, maybe one day reading it for fun instead of school. The only articles that sometimes drew my interest were the ones at the bottom of the front page.

2. How has reading the newspaper helped you learn about Mass Communications media? Explain, and give some examples of what you’ve learned.
Answer: Reading the Wall Street Journal has helped me learn a little more about Mass Communications. I have seen that many different aspects deal with Mass Communications, for instance, companies, films, music etc. I now realize that this is a growing industry with many job opportunities. It is very important to learn about Mass Communications, and it is to a great advantage to be familiarized with this subject.

3. Compared to traditional textbook-based study and learning methods, is reading the newspaper a better or worse educational experience? Expand your answers with details and examples.
Answer: I think it depends on who you are and your study habits. For people who can study a couple days before a test and pass, then enjoy the rest of their time freely, textbook-based learning probably works better for them. However, people who rather have something on a regular basis, with less studying would most likely lean towards reading the newspaper daily. Personally, I think the Wall Street Journal takes a lot of my time day after day, sometimes having to read articles more than once. I prefer to study for a couple days, take a test, and later have the rest of my time free to do other things.

4. Has the reading assignment changed your behavior, i.e., your daily schedule, your study habits, your desire for news and information?
Answer: The reading assignment has changed my behavior a bit. Now I make time to read the newspaper daily, and if I miss one day, I make more some other day to read the papers that I have missed. I prefer hearing about news and information on the television, so the newspaper really has not changed my behavior in that specific way. My study habits also remain the same, which were good to begin with.

5. Are the weekly quizzes an effective way to measure what you’ve learned by reading the Wall Street Journal? If yes, why? If no, why? Add suggestions for other ways to measure learning.
Answer: I do believe the weekly quizzes are an effective way to measure what you’ve learned by reading the Wall Street Journal. The quizzes are easy enough to answer if you indeed have read, but too difficult to guess on if you have not. Another way to measure learning could be group discussions with about 4-5 people, discussing their thoughts, questions and concerns on some of the particular articles read. Another way could be assignments relating to a particular influential article, involving individual or group work.
6. How likely are you to renew your subscription to The Wall Street Journal after this semester? Give an expansive answer, with reasons.
Answer: To be honest, unfortunately, I will probably not renew my subscription unless my step dad decides to do so, he enjoys reading the paper way more than I do. I am grateful that Professor Ken Carpenter has gave us the choice to choose our learning method for the semester, and the opportunity to get involved with reading the newspaper daily, since many adolescents have lost touched with the "real world". Even though I particularly have not enjoyed the paper much, I do believe that I have learned more about many subjects that teens my age have no clue about. I take reading the newspaper as a good learning experience. This learning method has also taken away the curiosity I had previously about reading a newspaper daily.