Over the course of this semester there have been many new thoughts, perspectives and ideas introduced to me as a media practitioner. Below is a small list of the things we’ve done this semester starting with the one you’re most familiar with:
- The Blog: A new practice for the majority of the class, having us operate on a public platform and conform to copyright. The blog has been aimed at developing our understanding of course material and making connections with our own experiences. It has involved evaluations, analyses, reflection and critical thinking – it has taught us to draft and edit material to be published to broadcast audience.
- Workshops: In our practical lessons this semester we were introduced to processes of research, creation and reflection. The most important aspect has been learning ways to think critically of presentations.
- Production: There was talk of the technical skills in software and hardware that would be required for the course. However, there was limited involvement in actually developing our proficiency. Areas of text, image, sound, video and editing were discussed with a lack of emphasis on specifically how to translate ideas into media artefacts. We have not touched on the techniques of filming, sound recording, editing or photography and this has greatly impeded my progress in the course.
- Readings: Our weekly readings from scholarly articles have given us a theoretical base of knowledge on which to build. They have been specific to certain events or media areas, which is not in line with the idea of an “introduction” to media. I still feel as useless with the basic elements as before I started.
- Lectorials: We have been walked through the central concepts and ideas in the creation and communication of media. The content has developed our understanding of the media industry, the roles of agents, institutions and audiences.
As this post is a reflection on the progress throughout my first semester it is interesting to look back over previous blog entries to identify key changes and progression in my work.
The following links are five blog posts that I feel best show how I have come to think critically of different facets of the course and make connections with the media world:
Humble Beginnings showing initial thoughts and questions, then an edited revelation.
Initial Analysis that incorporates my first stages of critical thinking with an attempt to produce engaging blog material.
Making Connections for the first time between course content and my perspective as a student, and as a consumer audience.
Thinking Critically of topics discussed in class and how they apply to myself and my peers.
Engaging Effectively with media in public and critically evaluating their production methods and audience effect.