The collaborative identity project: A shared transmedia experience in digital representation

Abstract

In an effort to move students beyond their typical understanding of social media, “the collaborative identity project” requires that they collectively contribute to one single, pseudonymous, online identity spanning five popular social websites over the course of one semester. In this enriching and thought-provoking exercise, students learn valuable lessons about self-representation, social media use, online ethics, and collaborative work, increasing their digital literacy and giving them tacit, experiential knowledge of communication theory concepts. Challenges to be addressed include ethical implications, as well as the need to establish ground rules and closely monitor activity on the sites. This project has wide applicability for teaching and learning about multiple perspectives and theories within the field of communication. It can enhance student learning and digital literacy in any course teaching aspects of interpersonal communication, communication theory, or computer-mediated communication.

Courses: This semester-long project is suited for communication courses addressing digital literacy, identity, technology, digital media, social media, mediated communication, interpersonal communication, and communication theory.

Objectives: This project challenges students to step outside of their digital comfort zone in order to understand, analyze, and evaluate the role that technology plays in interpersonal communication and the representation of self and others.

ORCID

Corinne M. Dalelio http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6274-1256