10. Key Concept #6: Media have social and political implications: A vision of students tomorrow

We talked in class this week about the different impacts that the Internet has had on society focusing specifically on social and political issues.

Take a look at the video clips below.

Did You know 3.0: created by Karl Fisch an American educator


"A Vision of Students Today" - created by Michael Wesch for an ethnography study


On your OWN blog - Write about the vision you have for the high school students of tomorrow - will the media and technology available to future students change the way they will experience their education? What do you think will have to change in order to meet the needs of these future students?

(consider things like classrooms, instructors, credits, courses offerred, school layout, requirements to graduate, assignments, exams, facilities etc...)

NOW: See if you can find a visual to add to your response. Look for a picture that might represent an element of your discussion about future education. You will have to find and save the image to your computer, then use the add image button found in the toolbar in your posting box.

9. Key Concept #4: Media have commerical implications: The Superbowl

"What Recession? Super Bowl Ads Cost $3 Million For 30 Seconds"

Superbowl ads have grown increasingly more expensive, this year costing a whopping $3 million dollars for one thirty second spot.

WHY?

Read through some of the articles listed below and watch some of the ads themselves. Some of the articles have video links as well...enjoy!

Article One
Article Two
Article Three
Article Four
Article Five
Article Six

Here is a sampling of the commercials that aired during the 2010 Superbowl....

Then write your own blog post.....tell us how you really feel..... is it worth it? What do they get for their $3 mill? End with your own analysis of WHY Super Bowl commercials are so expensive.

8. Key Concept #3: Audiences negotiate meaning : Screentest audience

Key Concept #3 is that audiences negotiate meaning in media.

Basic to an understanding of media is an awareness of how we interact with media texts. When we look at any media text, each of us finds meaning through a wide variety of factors: personal needs and anxieties, the pleasures or trouble of the day, racial and sexual attitudes, family and cultural background. All of these have a bearing on how we process information. For example, the way in which two students respond to a film depends on what each brings to that text. In short, each of us finds or "negotiates" meaning in different ways.

For example, The short animated film "The Cat Came Back" is linked with the following description: "This hilarious Oscar®-nominated animation is based on the century-old folk song of the same name. Old Mr. Johnson makes increasingly manic attempts to rid himself of a little yellow cat that just won't stay away... Also won the 1989 Genie Award for best animated short film. " It is an award winner, and heralded as a Canadian classic....watch it and decide for yourself.

Do you agree with the above description? http://www.nfb.ca/film/the-cat-came-back/
One of my favourites is called "The Sand Castle" http://www.nfb.ca/film/sand_castle/
Do we have similar tastes?

____________________________________

NOW, Watch a series (3-6) short films found on the NFB of Canada website:
main site: http://www.nfb.ca/
Playlists: http://www.nfb.ca//playlists/
Animated Shorts: http://search.nfb.ca/search?q=animated+films&entqr=0&output=xml_no_dtd&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&client=beta_onfb&ud=1&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&proxystylesheet=beta_onfb&proxyreload=1&hl=en&lr=lang_en&site=beta_onfb
Documentaries:
http://search.nfb.ca/search?q=documentaries&entqr=0&output=xml_no_dtd&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&lr=lang_en&client=beta_onfb&ud=1&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&proxystylesheet=beta_onfb&hl=en&proxyreload=1&site=beta_onfb
Short Films: http://search.nfb.ca/search?q=short+films&entqr=0&output=xml_no_dtd&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&lr=lang_en&client=beta_onfb&ud=1&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&proxystylesheet=beta_onfb&hl=en&proxyreload=1&site=beta_onfb


1. Embed the video of or add a link to the films you watched to your own blog.

2. Then write a post or series of posts where you identify films you liked, films you didn't and provide reasons for each. Try to really identify why you did or didn't like the films you chose. Think about what you are bringing to the analysis (your gender, age, family or cultural background, personal interests) and how these might impact your perception and enjoyment of the films.

3. If you did not enjoy the film, comment on who you think the preferred audience might be for the film.

7. Key Concept #2: Media construct reality: The CSI Effect

In class we read about the CSI effect to better understand

Key Concept #2: Media construct reality

(that is - media helps to create our sense of what is real, and right and true in our world and thus affects our ability to sift through what is real and what is not. Because media is carefully crafted, it creates its own version of reality.)

To reveal this idea of media creating a reality of its own - we investigated a phenomena called the CSI effect. From Wikipedia: The CSI effect (sometimes referred to as the CSI syndrome) is a reference to the phenomenon of popular television shows such as the CSI franchise raising crime victims' and jury members', even criminals', real-world expectations of forensic science, especially crime scene investigation and DNA testing.[1]

For those of you who were absent - or those of you who want to watch it again - we watched "Turn, Turn Turn" from the original CSI Las Vegas television show, featuring Taylor Swift as 16 year old Hayley : As Hayley says "Forensics is just science...." or is it?

follow the links provided for the five parts of the tv show...

Put in a web search using "CSI effect" as a prompt and see how much information turns up.....books have been written about it, tons of interet bloggers have discussed it, and even OPRAH has featured a show on it.......

_________________________________________

Complete your next blog posting on Key Concept #2: Media construct reality. Complete the following:

Identify and include examples of other media texts that show us media is a constructed reality (think of examples from tv, magazines, radio, music, internet etc...)

What effect do these media created 'versions' of reality have on society?

Why can't people seem to distinguish between fiction (what has been constructed by media) and reality?

FOR FUN!!!!! Are you a CSI fan? Do you want to find out if you really know the way real crime scene investigations work?

Take this sleuth's quiz:

http://www.the-csi-effect.com/The%20Quiz.html

6. Key Concept #1: Media are a construction: The Retouching Epidemic

Today in class we finished our introduction to . . .

Key Concept #1: Media are a construction

(that is - media texts are carefully crafted, they are planned and executed carefully)

Here are some videos we watched together in class about Retouching, and some new ones that reveal the technology used in this craft.

DOVE EVOLUTION:


PHOTOSHOP - THE PERFECT LIE


DOVE EVOLUTION PARODY


HOW PHOTOSHOP WORKS


NOW on your own blog - post a video or series of photos that you can comment on.

1. ACTIVITY: Find and embed onto your media blog pictures or videos that display photo retouching.

(Note: if you would like to embed a video as I have done (rather than post a link) you will need to click on the "Edit Html" page found to the left of the "Compose" page when you are creating a new post. Then to the right of the video on youtube, copy and paste the "embed code" onto this page. Make sure you hit "enter" before the code and again after the code so the page will read it. When you click on "preview" you should see the video on the page.)


2. BLOG RESPONSE: On your media blog post your opinion about whether or not you feel computer retouching has gone too far, and what effects it might have on you or the genral audience. Does your knowledge of computer retouching make you feel differently about the images you see in media? Be sure to offer specific examples from our class investigation and your own sources to support your conclusions.

5. Blog Rules

EMS 30 BLOG RULES
J. McConkey

Just a reminder of our blog contract.

1. No last names, school names, or addresses, even in your profile will be stated.
2. Do not link to your personal blog/journal from your school blog; you may reveal information on your personal blog that you don't want to reveal on your school blog.
3. If you want to write your opinion on a topic, make sure you're not going to be offensive to anyone as you write it. It is okay to deal with controversial topics; however, you do not want to be the instigator of that controversy.
4. Always make sure you check over your post for spelling and grammar errors. Part of your evaluation is for communication, attempt each time to organize your writing so that it communicates clearly to the audience.
5. Never disrespect someone else in your blog, whether it's a person, a group of people, or a recognized organization.
6. Don't write about other non-public figures without their permission; if you can't get their permission, use first names only. Never share someone else's last name. This is not a venue for school or celebrity gossip.
7. Watch your language! This is a school assignment. It must be professional; use appropriate language.
8. Make sure things you write about are factual. If in doubt - check the accuracy and reliability of your sources.
9. When you are commenting on others’ blogs, be sensitive to the fact that they are stating their feelings, ideas and opinions. You may disagree, but do not be rude or hurtful in your comments.
10. When you comment on someone else’s blog, be positive, but not empty. Do not comment if all you have to say is "I totally agree." or "Great comment!" Make sure your commentary has substance.

Signing this contract will acknowledge that I have read and understood the above blog rules, and will meet the expectations outlined here and on the blog etiquette posting. I understand that if I ignore these rules, my blog will be deleted and I will receive an R for this summative assignment.

4. Your first post

Now that you have created your blog, what are you going to do with it?

Your responsibility will be two-fold:

1. You will be required to post an original, critical comment at least once a week between now and the first of May. Your topic choice will be up to you, and can be quite varied or stick with what we are working on in class. It must focus on a media issue, media text, the mass media or media literacy.

2. You will be required to comment on at least one of your classmate's blog posts once a week, between now and the first of May. Links to your classmates' blogs will be found on this central blog.

First, have some fun decorating; add pictures, videos and links and fill in your personal profile (remembering of course that these will be publicly viewed - so no really personal information should be put for public viewing).

Once you are done that, we'll get down to using the blog to critically evaluate the media and what we are consuming.

Start today by writing a response to the media consumption survey we did together in class and comment about your own use of the media.

Which texts do you depend on daily?

Which texts do you not seem to have time for? WHY?

Ultimately we'll start by evaluating how much you depend on media; and how much does the media depend on you for income?

Before you leave the class blog - review the rules on the next posting. . . 5. Blog Rules. You will be signing and submitting a contract with these rules on it. Be sure you can follow them before you sign.

3. Create your own blog

Follow the steps as instructed in the youtube video below to create your own blog.

Keep the following in mind:

1. Your blog will be read and responded to by your classmates and myself. It is meant to be an online journal about media, rather than a personal blog. Do not include comments or write about topics you wish to be private; use language appropriate for the classroom.

2. Come up with a creative title for your blog. This title should reflect in some ways your ideas about media, but not necessarily limit your topic choices. Search 'quotes about media' for some ideas.

3. Choose a user name that will make you easy to identify (your first name and last initial) in your blog posts.

3. When you have created your blog, I will post a link to each of them on the class blog so everyone in the class may have access to it. Links to your classmates' blogs will be found by clicking on their names in the sidebar of the class blog.

(note: to find your blog address after you have created it go to

customize - settings - publishing)

4. Check out the style of some successful bloggers. Model their style, content and personality.


When you are done all of this, go to. . . 4. Your first post . . .
found in the archive, to complete your first post.

2. Blogging Etiquette

summarized from: http://blogs.suite101.com/article.cfm/blogging_etiquette
by Zona Marie Tan

FOR THE BLOG CREATOR:

1. Bear in mind that you’re writing for a global audience. Even though your blog may be a personal one, it’s still public and accessible to anyone.

2. Be creative, don’t steal other people’s content. Just because you don’t have anything to write, does not give you the right to copy and paste other people’s work onto yours. If you do borrow (images, information, vidoes etc....) - be sure to document its original source (through the author's name, "title" and website).

3. Don’t be afraid to have an opinion. It doesn’t hurt to belong to one side of the fence. In fact, it might make your commentary more interesting.

4. Remember the old saying "If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all."

5. Always return credit where possible. If you are going to copy a text, or use an image, please return the credit and link back to where you found the material.

6. If you are going to use an image off a blog, save it on to your own image hosting site. It’s rude to copy the image source and link it directly to your own blog.

7. If you’re emotionally riled by a commenter, pause before you hit submit. You might regret what you wrote.

FOR THE BLOG READER/COMMENTER
8. Post comments that are related to the entry. This is not a facebook site - this is about more than socializing and catching up with one another.

9. Be creative, fresh and unique with your comments - do not just agree with the person who has posted before you.

10.If you’ve accidentally posted repeat comments, apologize, (but be careful not to have your apology posted multiple times).

11. Rude and childish behaviour just because you’re an ‘anonymous’ commenter or are behind a pseudonym is unacceptable. As much as good manners are required in the real world, it works the same in the blogsphere.

OTHER TIPS:
- Bear in mind your reputation. Even if you’re blogging or commenting under a pseudonym, there are possibilities that you will be found out one day. Blogs are not dispensable.

- There will always be differing opinions to yours. Remember to always respect other’s views and opinions. If you want to share your own, do so in a mature debate. But bear in mind that you don’t need to change that person’s viewpoint.

If those are too many things to remember, just keep in mind these 3Rs
Be Responsible, Respect the person behind the other keyboard, and Relax. Open your mind, and you will enjoy the blogsphere’s endless possibilities.

Now continue to the next post . . . 3. Create your own Blog . . . found in the blog archive to your right, and complete the activities there.

1. Introduction to blogging

WHAT IS A BLOG ANYWAY?

Wikipedia defines a blog as: "a web-based publication consisting primarily of periodic articles, most often in reverse chronological order."

Blogging is the posting of journal-like pages to a website. While these pages can contain photos, videos, links or other forms of media, they are primarily focused on the easy ability to post written thoughts to a website. The postings are organized chronologically. Typically, a blog post can be commented on by others, allowing for a dialogue on a the topic of the post.

WATCH THIS CLIP (from the Common Craft show) ABOUT BLOGGING. . .

Teachers and educators have used blogs to allow for what is commonly called "peer review", meaning that students can post writings or assignments to the web, and other students can respond or encourage through the comment feature.

In a broader and more educational system, blogs are about communicating. You observe your experience, reflect on it, and then write about it. Other people read your reflections, respond from their perspectives by commenting or writing their own blog comment. You read their perspectives, often learn something through their eyes, and write some more.

- Blogging is about reading and writing.
- Literacy is about reading and writing.
- Blogging is about literacy.

In this section of the media course, you will be expressing your ideas about
media through the weblog medium.

Look to the sidebar for your next reading task: Blogging etiquette. Read through this before you begin your first assignment.