YEAR 13 LESSON EIGHTEEN [27th Jan 12]: Homework.

Students were reminded that the SOPA essay is due next Friday and were introduced to the potential titles for the Impact of Digital Media Case Study. The whole point of the Case Study is to allow students to produce a personal critical analysis of an area of digital media that they find engaging. The content of the Case Study can be used when answering Section B of MEST 3 [the exam!]. The previous blog entry provides a series of potential questions. When we meet next Friday I will expect all students to have a title. If students are not particularly engaged by any title from the list, I am perfectly willing to negotiate a title that relates to a specific area of new digital media. The whole point of this task is to offer students the opportunity to explore an area of NDM that they themselves find engaging.

Students discussed the BBC Case Study question and notes were gathered with the aim of illustrating the nature of content expected when attempting this task. Emphasis was placed on specific focus. The session broadened to discuss the issues and debates that relate to digital media. For example students discussed issues relating to the question: Has digital media created a more democratic world?

The aim of the second session was to develop student understanding of MEST3 Section A. The texts were the John Lewis Ad and the Cancer Research Ad. After a class discussion students produced a thirty minute written response to the question:

Using reference to media theory, how might an audience respond to these two media texts? You may refer to other texts to illustrate your answer.

HOMEWORK: Complete the SOPA essay. It is expected that students are attempting to create coursework. THERE IS A LOT TO DO FOLKS. NO SLACKING.

POTENTIAL CASE STUDY TITLES FOR YEAR 13.

Click on link below to access a download that contains 21 potential Case Study titles. Students should select a title that engages their digital sensibility. I will be discussing these titles and the nature of the case study in Friday's session. I expect all students to have a copy of these titles with them in the lesson. Let's see who is ignoring the blog!

http://minus.com/mVvdFVyti#1

YEAR 12 LESSON SIXTEEN [24th Jan 12]: Homework.

Students were offered a task that attempted to replicate the demands of MEST1 Section A. The class discussion attempted to create a series of notes that students can use to help create a precise and detailed written response. THIS IS A DIFFICULT TASK. The skills being developed through this task are the skills that we need to develop this term. Students must produce more detail when constructing a critical media analysis. Click on link below to download a further series of notes that will assist students when attempting to confront the requirements of this critical task:

http://minus.com/m1zljahqj#1

Click on link to access the John Lewis advertisement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSLOnR1s74o

The final section of the session involved students completing their horror trailers.

HOMEWORK: Complete the written task. Keep constructing coursework. A lot of equipment was grabbed by students today. I look forward to the results of your filming. LOTS TO DO. This is a very busy period for Media Students. TIME TO GET WORKING. SWITCH ON.

MORE RESOURCES FOR SOPA ESSAY.

A BBC article that offers differing views relating to the SOPA:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16658923

Here is a link to A Channel Four News article. Students should navigate through the various SOPA related resources offered by this news platform:

http://www.channel4.com/news/wikipedia-plans-web-blackout-in-protest-against-sopa

YEAR13 LESSON SEVENTEEN [20th Jan 12]: Homework.

Students were asked to consider the question: WHAT ARE THE MEDIA ISSUES AND DEBATES THAT LINK TO THE ANTI-SOPA DEMONSTRATION?

Class discussion explored the possible content for a written response to the SOPA question.

The second session considered Section A of MEST 3 and considered the questions:

1. Evaluate how each media product represents the family?

2. Using reference to media theory, how might an audience respond to these two media texts. You may refer to other media texts to illustrate your answer.

3. Should media be regulated?

The two texts used were the John Lewis 2011 Xmas advert and the Cancer Research advert from the summer of 2011. Links to these texts are available here:

http://fishymediaresources.blogspot.com/2012/01/year-13-lesson-sixteen-13th-jan-12.html

The class produced a written response to the first question.

HOMEWORK: Students have the flexibility to hand the SOPA essay to me next Friday OR Friday 3rd Feb. The research material that you will require to create a response to this essay question can be found via the fishymedia links below:

http://fishymediaresources.blogspot.com/2012/01/reaction-to-sopa-protest-bbc-article.html

http://fishymediaresources.blogspot.com/2012/01/channel-four-news-reports-wikipedia.html

http://fishymediaresources.blogspot.com/2012/01/murdoch-attacks-google-bbc-news-article.html

These news articles will also be useful:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16655272

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16646023

This story is still evolving so students must be aware of how this story will unfold.

Here is a download to assist students with the SOPA essay. This download will provide some essay guidance. Remember, your conclusion is a key component of this response:

http://minus.com/mn0UjnCYv#1

Keep checking the blog for the digital case study download. I hope to post this work asap.

REACTION TO THE SOPA PROTEST: BBC article.

Murdoch uses Twitter to express his discontent with any opposition to the SOPA bill.

The protest appears to have had the desired effect:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-16623831

Wikipedia's protest explained by the BBC's Technology Correspondent:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16611193

CHANNEL FOUR NEWS reports Wikipedia blackout.

Great news report relating to today's digital protest. Click on link:

http://blogs.channel4.com/benjamin-cohen-on-technology/the-fact-merry-go-round-that-undermines-wikipedia/3158

YEAR 12 LESSON FIFTEEN [17th Jan 12]: Homework.

Students continued to create soundtracks for their 60 second horror trailers. Most of the work was really good. Students will be offered 40 minutes of the next session to complete their work. This is the last opportunity for students to familiarise themselves with the technology before being expected to complete their AS Media coursework.

HOMEWORK: Students should be working on some aspect of the AS Coursework.

Next week students will be expected to offer a media analysis of one of the following texts. Click on link below:

The John Lewis advert Dec 2011: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSLOnR1s74o

The Cancer Research advert July 2011:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FruQGPMM750

My main educational focus this term is to improve the quality of the critical writing produced by students therefore it would be prudent for students to make themselves aware of the two texts that will be offered in our next session. Be aware of how media forms are used to shape meaning.

WIKIPEDIA BLACKOUT/ SOPA/MURDOCH ATTACKS GOOGLE.

Rupert Murdoch is not a BIG fan of Google. Students might want to develop an awareness of why Murdoch is critical of Google. Does Google have too much digital power?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16574977

Google: GOOD OR EVIL?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16573845

Students should be aware of the planned internet blackout on January 18th.

http://sopablackout.org/

WHAT IS SOPA?

http://sopablackout.org/learnmore/

Spain deals with online piracy:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16391727

Google criticised by the music industry:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/16274572

WIKIPEDIA BLACKOUT:

http://news.sky.com/home/technology/article/16150438

BBC article including audio interview with Wikipedia founder within which Jimmy Wales explains why he is anti-SOPA:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16590585

The SOPA bill is explained in this BBC article:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16596577

YEAR 13 LESSON SIXTEEN [13th Jan 12]: Homework.

Today's lesson was a glorified class discussion as so many students were sitting exams. Students need to be aware that the next session will involve a written response to the two texts available via these links:

John Lewis advert:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSLOnR1s74o

Cancer Awareness advert:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FruQGPMM750

Students will be expected to provide a written response to the questions:

1. Evaluate how each media product represents the family.

2. Using reference to media theory, how might an audience respond to these two media texts? You may refer to other media texts within your response.

Here is the photoshop 'mock' advert. This is a fantastic parody of advertisements that sell 'beauty' products. Any student attempting coursework that aims to explore issues relating to body image and digital image manipulation should watch this advertisement:

http://vimeo.com/34813864

Ta.

YEAR 12 LESSON FOURTEEN [10th Jan 12]: Homework.

Today's session was a creative session within which students were encouraged to compose their own soundtracks to accompany their horror genre trailers. The footage captured in the last lesson before the Mid-Winter break was used to construct a 60 second trailer. The aim of this session was to develop technical competence and confidence when using technology to construct creative broadcast media. There was some really good work this afternoon. We will complete this task next week. All trailers must contain completely original audio.

Homework: Students need to be constructing coursework. Feel free to borrow equipment to begin producing broadcast media. REMEMBER, we need to complete both creative media tasks as soon as possible to ensure that the evaluation is precise and detailed. WRITTEN WORK needs to improve this term as students are still struggling to produce precise and detailed critical analysis. Lots to do folks.

YEAR 13 LESSON FIFTEEN [6th Jan 12]: Homework.

The new media year of 2012 began with ChimpNimsky 'blathering on' about coursework. Students were given the coursework mark scheme and encouraged to begin producing the linked production. In an attempt to illustrate 'a coursework model' students were asked to construct a four paragraph response to the question: WHAT MEDIA ISSUES AND DEBATES CAN BE LINKED TO THE DIANE ABBOTT INCIDENT? The aim of this task was to show how the coursework needs to have a very specific textual focus which then broadens to consider issues that relate to the contemporary media landscape. The quality of student response was outstanding. Well done. Click on link below to access the useful resource that I referred to when KH offered information relating to North Korea's access to digital media. This resource provides an overview of global internet censorship:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPAvg6CU6sI

The second section of the lesson involved students being presented with material intended to replicate the media texts offered in MEST 3 Section A. Click on links below to access the two texts:

John Lewis Advert released December 2011:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSLOnR1s74o

Cancer Awareness Advert released July 2011:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FruQGPMM750

Students were asked to EVALUATE HOW EACH MEDIA PRODUCT REPRESENTS THE FAMILY.

The class discussion was impressive and PH's comments relating to the nature of the child neglect being displayed in the John Lewis advert was warmly received by all present in E5. Students were encouraged to identify the KEY media forms being used to manufacture meaning. This task is potentially very difficult due to the pressure of time so it is important that students develop the ability to quickly identify the key moments in each text and use these key moments to construct a sophisticated response that directly confronts the requirements of the question. Specific question focus is essential. Students produced some very useful notes and this written task will be offered to students next week.

HOMEWORK: Revisit the two texts used in the second section of today's lesson so that your response next week will be informed and relevant. Also, research Rosie Hardy, Khan's Academy, and SBTV. How do these three examples of digital media relate to the impact of digital media argument? What do we learn about digital media through these three texts?

A FINE START TO THE SECOND TERM. KEEP IT UP.

DIANE ABBOTT TWITTER CONTROVERSY. BBC/Daily Mail articles.

The microblogging and social networking site can be a controversial form of digital media. Here is the latest news story generated by a 'tweet'. What do we learn about the use of digital media through this example? Click on links to access articles:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-16424851

The Daily Mail article:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2082527/Diane-Abbott-racist-tweets-MP-faces-calls-resign-divide-rule-comment.html

CHARLIE BROOKER'S 2011 WIPE: CB's review of the media year.

Charlie Brooker's 2011 Wipe is a Brooker-eye review of 2011's media related news. There is a very good film created by Adam Curtis within this segment. This is well worth 60 minutes of your time.

Click on link to access You Tube version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4coGerRh4ZI

Click on link to access Charlie Brooker discussing 2011 Wipe on BBC News. Again, well worth 7 minutes of your time:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7poKB1lo2M&feature=related