Examining Personal and Cultural Assumptions about Information Technology Using a Technology Abstinence Exercise

Authors

Kathryn R. Stam, Syracuse University
Jeffrey M. Stanton, Syracuse University

Abstract

This paper describes an exercise in which undergraduate students were required to abstain for 48 hours from using one or more technologies that they have become accustomed to using on a regular basis (e.g., cellular telephone, video games, or Web browser). In the four class sections where this exercise was used, the students wrote journals and discussed and evaluated the experience. The students and instructors found the exercise valuable for accomplishing the goals of recognizing society's dependence on technology and trying to understand the situations of people with short-term limited access to technology. Students' journals and other subsequent reactions to the experience to show how various aspects of the educational process are addressed in the exercise. Improvements based on instructors' observations and students' evaluations of the experience are suggested.

Recommended Citation

Stam, Kathryn R. and Stanton, Jeffrey M. (2004) "Examining Personal and Cultural Assumptions about Information Technology Using a Technology Abstinence Exercise," Journal of Information Systems Education: Vol. 15 : Iss. 1 , 87-97.
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/jise/vol15/iss1/10