fishymedia: resources for A2/AS media studies.: YEAR 13 LESSON NINETEEN [30th Jan 13]: Homework.

Students discussed issues relating to MEST3 Section B: The Impact of Digital Media. The class discussion was a response to the question offered in a past exam paper:

HOW HAS NEW/DIGITAL MEDIA CHANGED THE WAYS IN WHICH INFORMATION REACHES AUDIENCES AND WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS?
The class discussion shaped an essay structure that could possibly be used when answering this question.
Potential Essay Structure:

An exploration of TWITTER and how this site, along with the invention of the mobile phone, has changed how an audience receives information. The audience can pick and choose the nature of the information that they wish to digest and digest this information anywhere! This could be trivial celebrity nonsense or comments from credible journalists or news organisations. The implications of sites such as TWITTER is that mainstream news values are being challenged. An individual can access a wide range of views that are not mediated by mainstream news organisations. REFERENCE COULD BE MADE TO HOW TWITTER WAS USED IN IRAN IN 2009. Twitter was used to pass information to the world that the government was attempting to suppress. However there may be a problem with credibility. Can we trust Twitter? There have been a series of offensive tweets published that have resulted in prosecution. Can this kind of media ever be regulated? Can the public be protected against abuse and misinformation? Students need to support all views with SPECIFIC TEXTUAL REFERENCE.

The idea that mainstream news institutions are not the only source of information in a digital world can be reinforced further with reference to YOU TUBE and the development of THE YOUNG TURKS. The development of this news network exemplifies the power of digital media. Again, the implications are that mainstream news values can be challenged and it also serves to illustrate the power of YOU TUBE and online media. Click on links to access information relating to THE YOUNG TURKS: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheYoungTurks

KHAN ACADEMY: http://www.khanacademy.org/ We have discussed this wonderful free resource many times. This empowers students from all over the world and helps both students and teachers. The implications are that millions of people have access to a free educational resource that covers a multitude of subjects. Obviously, a decent broadband connection is required. How has the use of digital media enhanced your own education? Try and construct a personal response.

The next paragraph could examine how the kindle and e-books have transformed the publishing industry. It is now possible for writers to directly engage a readership without having to rely on the old gatekeeping system. Look at how Amazon encourages authors to publish their own work. Reference was made to Amanda Hocking and the ability for an independent writer to independently publish their work. THE positive IMPLICATIONS are that creative people can offer their work to a global audience via digital media. CLAY SHIRKY makes some interesting observations about how digital media has aided the creative process. Check the SHIRKY resources on fishymedia. RESEARCH REQUIRED. Students could also reference Rosie Hardy the photographer when examining how creative people are using digital media...or the music industry. THE negative IMPLICATIONS of this new independence is that traditional book stores such as BORDERS and WATERSTONES have perished/are perishing due to their inability to find a working business model to access the digital world. Could refer to the music industry and its struggle to find a credible digital business model.

The I-Player ....see class notes. I really liked Martha's reference to how Channel Four use the e-media attached to The Secret Millionaire. Implications of 4OD etc? Audience being able to watch the media they want to watch when they want to watch it!

The conclusion could consider that the way information reaches the audience depends on geographical location and the ideology of the country's government. Reference could be made to Cuba, North Korea and China and how information is censored. Furthermore, broadband access is dependent on being able to pay!!! The poor may be denied access to digital information.

The rest of the session looked at Section A of MEST3. We will be attempting the questions next week so think about how you will answer these questions for homework. Click on link to access questions:

http://fishymediaresources.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/year-13-resources9th-jan.html

HOMEWORK: Complete the MEST3 Section B Essay. This is a big task. DO NOT LEAVE THIS ESSAY UNTIL TUESDAY NIGHT!! EVIE....don't be a slacker. You owe me BIG TIME. Don't let me down.

Students should be constructing coursework.

SOME RESOURCES TO FEED YOUR MEDIA MIND:

MURDOCH'S THE DAILY. Why did it fail?....: