Great to see you lot again. Congratulations on your impressive AS results...but now we really dig our fingers into the murky world of media studies.
The first session began with an overview of the course. A2 remains 50% exam [MEST 3] and 50% coursework [MEST 4]. Students have the full creative freedom to explore any contemporary area of media interest for their coursework therefore students must be constantly aware of media related news and contemporary technological developments. The exam will demand that students are aware of the media issues and debates that relate to Representation and The Impact of Digital Media. I will be exploring issues relating to The Impact of Digital Media.
The first class discussion was a response to the question: HAS THE INTERNET HELPED OR HINDERED DEMOCRATIC FREEDOM?
The following resources may be useful when considering this question:
The class were offered the June 2010 MEST 3 exam paper to peruse with the aim of providing students with a clear perception of the intellectual expectation at A2 and comprehension of the question structure that they will experience in May 2012.
It is important that ALL students are aware of how the BBC has adapted to digital technology as the BBC are an example of an institution that has thrived when confronting and adapting to the challenge offered by new digital media. An understanding of how the BBC uses digital media is a central feature of student understanding when preparing for Section B of MEST 3. Below are a series of links to allow students to investigate how the BBC uses digital media:
Students must be able to answer the question: TO WHAT EXTENT HAS THE BBC EMBRACED THE DIGITAL AGE? You must be able to support your view with clear and specific references to the BBC's use of digital technology. Students must also consider how the relationship between Audience and Producer is shaped by the BBC's use of digital media.
Many media institutions have not adapted to the challenge of digital media. For example reference was made to EMI and how they have struggled to create a business model that is relevant in a post-Napster world. The traditional music industry has been destroyed by digital culture. Students might like to consider how and why MP3 download culture has butchered the traditional music industry. To what extent has the Audience/Producer relationship been changed by Shawn Fanning's Napster site? Reference was also made to the demise of MySpace and Murdoch's use of PAYWALL. Students need to peruse fishymedia to research these issues. We will be discussing all these issues in future lessons.
Finally, students were asked to consider the question: HAS THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL MEDIA REDUCED THE POWER OF MAINSTREAM NEWS MEDIA TO PRESENT DOMINANT REPRESENTATIONS? Reference was made to You Tube, Russia Today and Al Jazeera.
Homework: Consider the three key questions that I pelted at you in this session. Reflect upon how you would answer these questions as one of them will be your first essay title.
Students need to digest the whole of the first episode of the BBC's FANTASTIC documentary series 'The Virtual Revolution'. I made it perfectly clear how valuable this resource is and I expect all students to have watched this 60 minute episode before our next session. If you can't be arsed to watch this, you should drop the course. Seriously...drop the course. There is so much detail and information in this first episode that it is a perfect resource. Click on link below to access the first You Tube segment then navigate through the other five segments:
Furthermore, the website to this wonderful resource is media research heaven. Click on link below:
Students also need to navigate through these links that explore the very different views of Andrew Keen and Clay Shirky. They express very different views relating to the power of the Web. Click on these fishymedia links:
Students also need to research the history of the BBC and be aware of its aims and ethos.
PHEW...see you on Friday.
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