Infinite Jest Lesson Plan

The (Real) History of Videophony

Kind of Activity:

Research

Objective:

In groups, students will research and prepare a presentation on various eras in the history of video-telephony.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.11-12.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.2

Structure:

Today's reading delves deeply into Wallace's vision of what the advent of true video-telephony would look like, from its implementation to its eventual demise. In 1997, such technology was closer to science-fiction than a part of reality, but in the 21st-century, video chatting is a normal part of everyday life. The idea of this technology has been around since the invention of the telephone...