J. MICHAEL JAFFE, Ph.D.
E-mail:
jmichaeljaffe@yahoo.com
Voice: +972 4 6398160
Fax: +972 153 4 6398160
 Mailing Address:
17 HaPalmach
Zichron Yaakov 30900 ISRAEL

Index

AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION:

Media effects on cognition and learning. The analysis and design of multimedia and interactive information/instruction media systems. The personal computer as a mass media channel. Systemic analysis of Internet use and development. Health communication and anti-smoking campaigns.

WORK EXPERIENCE

10/03 - Present
Independent Consultant: Health Communication Campaigns, Technical Marketing


10/95 - 9/03
The University of Haifa
Department of Communication
Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905 Israel
Position: Lecturer

TEACHING:
Communication 1012/1013: Computer-Mediated Communication
Communication 3101: Health Communication

RESEARCH:
Presently designing communication artifacts to prevent youth smoking.

9/91 - 8/95
The University of Michigan
Department of Communication
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Position: Graduate Student Teaching/Research Assistant

RESEARCH:
BIOMAP: Development of a computer tutorial on evolution in conjunction with the School of Education, University of Michigan. Responsibilities included survey/experimental design, instructional hypermedia design, and software/hardware technical support.
Computer Conferencing: Designed and implemented study analyzing computer bulletin board activity among identified and pseudonymous participants.

TEACHING:
Teaching assistant/coordinator for courses in Persuasive Communication, Mass Media History, and Mass Media Theory. Presented course lectures on Interactive Mass Media and Diffusion Theory.

8/89 - 9/90
Gran Computer Industries
Kfar Sava, Israel
POSITION: Staff Design Engineer
Responsibilities included digital/analog circuit design, board layout, and software design.

9/87 - 2/89
Elscint, Ltd.
Haifa, Israel
POSITION: Final Test Engineer
Performed testing, repair, and occasional redesign of computerized medical electronic equipment.

7/83 - 7/86
General Electric Co.
Binghamton, New York, USA
POSITION: Design Engineer
Analog/digital electronic design, software design, and test equipment configuration. Completed General Electric's Advanced Course in Engineering and the Edison Program.

EDUCATION

9/91 - 8/95
The University of Michigan
Department of Communication
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
DEGREE PROGRAM: Ph.D.
CONCENTRATION: Interactive mass media, human computer interfaces, and the diffusion of innovations. Presently studying effects of interactive and multimedia computer applications on learning and motivation. COGNATE AREAS: Educational technology and cognitive psychology.

9/90 - 5/91
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan, USA
Coursework in communication and social science research.

9/83 - 5/86
State University of New York
Binghamton, New York, USA
Degree: MSEE
Concentration: computer architecture and communication.
Masters Thesis: Optical Information Processing and Communication

9/78 - 5/83
The University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Degree: BSEE

ARTICLES & BOOK CHAPTERS

Jaffe, J. M. (1997). Media Interactivity and Self-Efficacy: An Examination of Hypermedia First Aid Instruction. Journal of Health Communication, 2(4), 235-251.

Jaffe, J. M., Lee, Y., Huang, L., & Oshagan, H. (1999). Gender Identification, Interdependence, and Pseudonyms in CMC: Language Patterns in an Electronic Conference, The Information Society, 15(4) pp. 221-234.

Jaffe, J. M., & Weimann G. (1999). New Lords of the Global Village? Reconsidering Theories of Media Dominance. In E. T. May & R. Wagnleitner (Eds.), The Globalization of American Popular Culture. New York: University Press of New York.

Jaffe, J. M. (1999). Riding the Electronic Tiger: Censorship in Global, Distributed Networks. In R. Cohen-Almagor (Ed.), Ethics, Law, and Communication in an Era of Political Violence and Extremism. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press.

Jaffe, J. M. (2003). Parental Alienation Syndrome: A Response to Dr. Shabtai Noi (Hebrew) Psak-Din: the Online Israeli Law Site, Issue 88.

PAPERS & PRESENTATIONS

Jaffe, J. M., Belzer, S., & Kozma, R. (1993). BioMap: An interactive information environment. Presentation at annual conference, Michigan Association for Computer Use in Learning (MACUL), 11 March 1993.

Jaffe, J. M., Belzer, S., & Kozma, R. (1992). Measuring interactive usage with student feedback. Presentation at annual conference, Michigan Association for Computer Use in Learning (MACUL), MAR 1992.

Jaffe, J. M. (1994). Interactive mass media and political participation. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research (MAPOR), Chicago, Illinois, USA; November 1994.

Jaffe, J. M., Lee, Y., Huang, L., & Oshagan, H. (1995). Gender, Pseudonyms, and CMC: Masking Identities and Baring Souls. Paper presented at the 45th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA; May 1995. Presently submitted for publication.

Jaffe, J. M. (1995). Media Interactivity, Cognitive Flexibility, and Self-efficacy. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Communication), The University of Michigan.

Jaffe, J. M. (1995). Cognitively Mapping the Global Village. Paper presented at a teacher training meeting of MACAM98, a government-supported educational initiative for utilizing global communication networks in Israeli classrooms. October 1995.

Jaffe, J. M. (1996). A Goal is a Gift: Guided Navigation Through the Internet. Paper presented at INFO96, Tel Aviv, Israel. May, 1996.

Jaffe, J. M. (1997). Media Interactivity, Information Processing Styles, and Self-Efficacy: Hypermedia First Aid Insruction. A paper presented at the 47th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA) in Montreal, Qeubec; May 1997.

Jaffe, J. M., & Aidman-Kitron, A. (1997). Families, Geographical Separation, and the Internet: A Theoretical Prospectus. A paper presented to the Educational Resource and Instruction Clearinghouse (ERIC) 1997 Conference on Families, Technology, and Education in Chicago, Illinois, USA; October 1997.

Jaffe, J. M. (1997). Social Distance and Online Cultures: Perspectives on Equilibrium in Virtual Space. A paper presented at the Conference for the Israeli Geographic Society, Beersheva, Israel; December 1997.

Jaffe, J. M. (1998). Media Domination in the Internet Era: Big Fish, Bigger Pond. A paper presented at the 48th Annual Conference of the International Communication Association (ICA) in Jerusalem, Israel; July 1998.

Jaffe, J. M. (1999). Ethical Considerations of Internet Cultures. A paper presented at the Third conference of the Israel Communication Association (IsCA) at the University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel; December 1999.

RESEARCH INVOLVEMENT

Dissertation: Hypermedia, Cognitive Flexibility, and Self-Efficacy

This dissertation will examine how information presentations facilitating cognitive flexibility influence a learner's self-efficacy. Undergraduates will be given an information-related task and assigned to either (a) a domain-related hypermedia information database which will provide conceptual models for interactive, flexible information navigation, or (b) a linear, non-interactive information presentation which will provide similar messages.

Identified and Pseudonymous Users in a Computer Conference:

This research explores the relationship of social isolation, identifiability, and computer-mediated communication (CMC) behavior. From January 1994 through April 1994, 120 students were randomly assigned to one of two different computer conferences related to a communication theory course in which they were enrolled. In one conference, each response entered by the participant included his/her real name. In the other, each participant entered responses under a pseudonym of his/her choice.

Before the conferences' introduction, participants completed questionnaires measuring scales of social isolation and attitudes toward computer usage. Responses will be analyzed for extent of participation as well as characteristics of interpersonal references. Particular attention will be paid to expressions of emotional and paraverbal information.

Hypermedia and Motivation:

This research explores the relationship between hypermedia use, self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation in an instructional setting. During the period from January 1994 through April 1994, undergraduate students in a minicourse about scientific theories of evolution used an interactive, multimedia application called "BioMap." BioMap is a Macintosh-based software application developed by Robert Kozma, Sharolyn Belzer, and J. Michael Jaffe which includes (a) a hypermedia database with both iconic and keyword links, (b) a domain-related, role-playing game, and (c) a built-in conferencing interface, enabling users to relate their experiences and otherwise share information with peers and mentors.

Smoking Prevention in Middle School:

Research of cultural factors influencing smoking behavior by teachers and students in an Israeli middle school and the design of a program of intervention to make the school environment smoke-free.

COURSES TAUGHT

Communication 1012/1013: Computer-Mediated Communication
Communication 3101: Health Communication
Communication 2125: Communication and the Mind
Library Studies 4801: Future Trends in Information Communication
Communication 2168: Organizational Communication