1) Midterm Project: Independent Research Paper/Presentation on a Specific Electronic Mediated
Communication Tool (Midterm Project – 30% of final grade)
Topic/Purpose: The focus of your presentation will be to provide information about a very specific online
“branded” (as opposed to generic topic) communication tool excluding email and IM. (I HAVE CHOSEN
INSTAGRAM!) Students will choose his/her desired tool and email it to the instructor during Week 1. Each tool
can only be researched by one student. Tool selection will be on a first-come, first-served basis. You will be
alerted if you must pick a different tool. Please note: You will be asked to share your project with your
classmates during a Week 4 Discussion.
Further Logistics of Midterm Project:
Students are to create a presentation that can be in the form of a “PowerPoint” (10-15 slides), an audio podcast
with visuals (3 – 5 mins), a video (3 – 5 mins), or some other format that departs from a traditional written
research paper (must get prior approval of instructor for this option). All presentations must include a minimum
of three outside source citations. These sources can be traditional sources, such as journal articles, websites,
books, but can also include personal interviews, blogs, news articles, etc. A Reference section in APA format
must be included at the end of the project. Please also feel free to include the first-person experience to add depth
to your presentation. Spelling and grammar are factored into student grades.
Answer all of the following questions (as they relate to your tool) in your presentation:
1) What is it and for what is it used?
2) How does one technically use it?
3) How is it used for communication (i.e. in what contexts)
4) What are its positives and negatives
5) Did you choose it for a particular reason (if so, what)
6) Why or why not, would you recommend that it be used. Include what audiences should be pursued or
avoided and why.
7) What recommendations (include a minimum of three) would you make to the developer of the tool and/or to
improve the tool?
Sample Solution