THIS WAS A BIG LESSON. Students received their first marked A2 essays and feedback. Students need to offer more evidence of independent research and need to be aware that opinion must always be supported with textual reference. An exemplar response was provided from last year's A2 group. Students need to read this essay and be aware of the level of detail required to achieve an A grade at A2.
The whole of the session was a consideration of the essay title:
'THE INTERNET AND WORLDWIDE WEB HAVE HELPED CREATE A MORE DEMOCRATIC WORLD.' To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Class discussion explored a series of topics that may be appropriate for consideration within this essay. A potential essay structure:
- Reference to Clay Shirky and his views relating to the empowering creative potential of digital media.
- Reference to Iran in 2009/The Arab Spring of 2011 and how social media was used to confront political regimes that were inhibiting democratic freedom.
- Reference to 38 Degrees and how such sites attempt to bring people together to fight for democratic justice. Examples of campaigns?
- An exploration of the purpose of Wikileaks that considers why governments would want to control the information offered to its people and control the nature of their own political representation. This could be linked to Marxist Theory as the fact that governments wish to control information suggests they believe the web is capable of great political influence and can be used as a means of 'manufacturing consent.'
- Reference to China and how the Chinese government attempts to regulate digital information.
- The Estonian banking crisis OR the Stuxnet Worm and issues relating to cyberwar OR Anonymous and Hacktivism and how this emphasises how vulnerable we all are on the web.
- Trolling and how digital media can be used to cause psychological distress. Possible reference to views of Andrew Keen.
- The London Riots and how social media was used. This is a great example of the duality of digital media. Different people use social media for different reasons. If your motivation is to use digital media to empower people, the web does help create a more democratic world. If an individual's motivation is to control information, indulge in criminal activity and spread fear, the web helps create a world of fear and anxiety. IT DEPENDS WHO IS USING THE MEDIA AND FOR WHAT PURPOSE.
- The conclusion may explore issues relating to geography. Access to digital democratic freedom depends upon where you live and the motivation of the individual using the technology. The technology itself does not create a more democratic world. The web is a reflection of the human condition. Good and bad.
Hacking....Security issues: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19280905
Stuxnet worm: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18825742
Cyber War threat: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-17308921
Cyber Attacks : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16754276
April Jones trolling: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-19869710
The Virtual Revolution. Below are three links to the second episode. Students should watch the whole of this episode as it is relevant for this essay:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqesGryXoo4&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj4OtguOH9E&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sH4HHiMNko&feature=relmfu
38 Degrees Website:http://www.38degrees.org.uk/
Wikileaks Documentary: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvmfOaZ34Pk
London Riots from BBC Click:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/9563177.stm
Facebook and the Arab Spring. BBC Documentary:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnPR90dJ3Gk
FISHYMEDIA IS YOUR ONE STOP MEDIA RESOURCES SHOP FOLKS. SHOW ME EVIDENCE OF INDEPENDENT STUDY. ALL THE RESOURCES ARE HERE. USE THEM.
HOMEWORK: Complete the essay. The challenge to all students is to improve your mark by ONE FULL GRADE.
GOOD LUCK MEDIA FREAKS.
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