Exercise 1: International Listening Association

Listening is a key element of communication. Although scholars from several academic disciplines including communication, psychology, and education study the process of listening, the International Listening Association is recognized as the preeminent scholarly organization devoted to the study of listening. Go to www.listen.org and review the information contained in the website. After taking notes on what you read, be prepared to discuss one interesting thing you found on the website with your classmates.

Exercise 2: Critical Listening on the Net

The Internet provides many of us with a way to access information. Many websites now provide surfers with the opportunity to listen to and view public discourse. Go to the PBS's website on Great American Speeches (http://www.pbs.org/greatspeeches/timeline/) and pick one or more speech excerpts to view. In addition to critically listening for the use of ethos, pathos, and logos by the speaker, reflect on your experience "listening" on the net. Is this type of listening enjoyable? Do you see potential dangers or shortcomings to this type of website?