Internet Exercises

Exercise 1 Subject: Identifying the major components of communication

Your first web exercise will require you to do a little homework. First, locate the definition for communication in your textbook. Closely examine it, and identify its major elements. Second, use your web browser to go to one of the various "search engines" available online (we suggest using www.altavista.com, www.google.com, or www.northernlight.com). Then, search the web for other definitions of the term communication by entering different combinations of the words communication, definition, communicate, communicating, et cetera.

Compare and contrast the elements of these newfound definitions to the one provided by your textbook. How are they different? How are they the same?

Exercise 2 Subject: Understanding how communication helices work

Your second web exercise requires that you be familiar with Frank E. X. Dance's communication helix. Please locate that model and study it. Now, go to any chat room available online. ICQ.com's web.icq.com/icqchat/ site lists a number of chat-room portals that you can visit.

Examine the way that new chat-room members communicate with one another. What aspects of their communication jive with Professor Dance's communication helix? How does the communication helix model explain the initial discussion between parties?

Exercise 3 Subject: Using the five axioms of communication

First, write down all five of the axioms of communication listed in your textbook. Now, choose one of these five axioms and explain how it works in your own words.

Then, analyze any email that you may have written or received with the axiom you have selected in mind. In other words, how does that axiom explain the way in which your e-communication occurred?