Name: Phoebe Drake s3708088

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Blog reflections

SESSION 1
SESSION 2
SESSION 3
SESSION 4

Annotated Bibliography

Selected text 1:

Lister. M et al 2009, New Media: A Critical Introduction. Routledge, New York. (Sections: Networks, Users and Economics pp 163-169; Wiki Worlds and Web 2.0 pp 204-209; The Long Tail pp 197-200; User-generated content, we are all users now pp 221-232.)

The section ‘Networks, Users and Economics, Wiki Worlds and Web 2.0, The Long Trail, User Generated Content and We are all Users Now’ are part of the text ‘New Media: A Critical Introduction’. While the sections are large, the overall consensus is about how new media and the Web 2.0 have affected the commercialisation of social network sites (SNS). This is highlighted through the changes in user generated content and high participation content. This is illustrated through embedding, sharing, liking and linking content. These chapters suggest that new media is a networked form, and has been closely identified with the ever-evolving process of globalisation. Furthermore, the section explains that this form of media has given rise to an abundance of new cultural practices that have further excelled the magnitude of online distribution, retailing and services. In this section the authors use tools that are of traditional political economies within the media to understand how the potential for the development of networked new media has been influenced by commercial interests. Similarly, negatives surrounding networked media are also studied. For example, the topics of intellectual property, and advertisements as a mode of consumption facilitated is explored. In order to do so, the authors specifically study certain characteristics of networks such as the ways in which we live our lives, the economic organisation of society and cultural change to accurately measure their findings. 

The authors include primarily up to date data to validate their theories. These results are supported statistically, and graphic representations distil the important findings. This can be found through figures, graphs, social and case studies. Similarly, peer reviewed articles cited are trusted and accurate, such as Dean and Kretschmer’s (2007) findings within the User Generated section. The method sample is large and calls upon the reader to be able to reform, as the text transcends from global and corporate, to the depiction of ever expanding world of online media. The authors also make considerable effort to note the ways in which the interactions between culture of open source and commercially produced software gives to the development of networked digital’s distinctive character. The authors also make considerable reference to their first edition, highlighting the processes studied and how they have now come much to the forefront and are much easier to identity. Finally, whilst all results correlate to measures of new media growth, the findings rest largely upon more ‘wealthy’ socio-economic cultures, and therefore the research may appear to be ‘uneven’. Whether or not this is an accurate representation of data is not addressed. 

The findings that humans have the desire for communication, as well as the pressures of commercialisation to bring us the Web 2.0 in the form of social networking sites are apparent within these chapters. The text, as well as the chapters in focus are useful to my research topic to understand the correlation between user generated interactions. These findings potentially support the notion that technological advances have no doubt brought a new form of social interaction via the networks we see in Computer Mediated Communications. This growth is to be welcome with open arms, but also with precaution for a number of reasons. 

Word Count: 575

 

Selected Text 2:

Spielmann. Y, 2007, Video: The Reflexive Medium, MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts. (Section: Introduction: The Audiovisual Medium pp. 1-6)

Spielmann’s journal ‘Video: The Reflexive Medium’ explores the audiovisual medium of ‘video’. The text argues that video can be understood as a medium that develops in both its dimensions and its direction. The author aims to explore four clear discussion points within the journal. Firstly, the author attempts to introduce the simple technicalities of video, as an assembly to carry information by light and translate this to a screen radiating electronic signal. Secondly, the author argues that video does not generate images as a unit and display the materiality of a film strip, but rather transmits and projects unstable states of images pictorially. Thirdly, the differences between analog camera images versus digital computer images; and the ability to open up new sculptural dimensions in the visions of a technological pictorially are explored. Finally, the author aims to find the connection between video and computers, by proving itself particularly relevant for the deployment of the electronic vocabulary; and how this transformation has ultimately affected Western cultures in certain processes such as reading and writing. 

The text provides useful rationale explaining the basis of video, with its media specific features of processuality and transformativity through flexible forms of audiovisual. The results are merely collaborative condensed research projects as well and theoretical, practice orientated programmes and experiments. Graphic representations are not apparent within the text. While the research sample is inherently broad, it may be bias in the fact that the author merely touches on secondary research once or twice; and rather, uses the authors own opinion to justify arguments. This can be identified on page four, as the author attempts to make personal suggestions that video must begin with a procedural process of electronic pictorially, and abandon the idea that video is of transformation imagery. While the author has an in-depth understanding of the affordances of video, which is apparent within the entirety of the text, whether or not this is a reliable measure or entirely conclusive depiction of video as a reflexive medium could be argued, with the lack of industry scholars in participation. 

Spielmann’s texts serves as a theoretical base to the topic of reflexive video. The argument that video does not just remove the cinematographic passage from frame to frame, even if not actually negating it is inherently explored through the text. The article is useful to someone studying video studies as it intends to educate the reader of the discourse of “transformation imagery’, and its place in the relationship to the wider field of research can be appreciated. This potentially supports the notion that Western culture has been harshly affected by the expansion of digital video practice since the late 1960’s and 1970’s, and requires further research in the field. 

Word Count: 474

 

Selected Text 3:

Miles. A, 2006, ‘Blogs in Media Education: A Beginning’, Australian Screen Ed, vol 41, pp 66–9.

The article ‘Blogs in Media Education: A Beginning’ explores the possible use of blogs in media education. The article aims to provide information to students or teachers regarding the advantages of using blogs and blog tools for professional practices. The article is split into four main points of discussion. Firstly, the author argues that blogs are a means of networked writing technology that offers varies advantages opposed to traditional forms of writing such as diaries, journals and webpages. Secondly, the author explains the Content Management System (CMS) as a way of user generated tools that allow the user to become a publisher; granting more ownership to the blogger. Thirdly, the author discusses the importance of the new phenomena that is ‘blogging’. Moreover, Miles then attempts to explain that blogging can be easily interlinked and allow writing from a diverse range of ‘voices’, including professional, conversational or humorous. Moreover, the advantages of using blogs can be beneficial for both teacher and student, such as through idea creation, achievement records or peer support and collaboration. As humans we are taught to develop essay writing skills, and the author explains that post-print literacy blogging has many advantages to educating students. 

The article provides credible rationale explaining the advantages of using blogging within the education sphere. The author provides numerous anecdotes to support their claims, such as reference to their academic blog work and their time as a University lecturer. While the research sample is small, the arguments are that of a high standard when considering the sincerity of personal accounts. Furthermore, the author makes considerable effort to explain the key differences of traditional writing methods, pros and cons and blogging strategies for teachers. The author could have merely explained the advantages, however, by including depth of knowledge of the topic in a sound, logical and well researched way is ultimately trustworthy. Whether or not this is an accurate measure of a successful adjustment is not addressed.

The finding that blogging encourages students to enhance their own learning by commenting on each others work offers a creative space for expression and a sense of individuality. The author has well informed present research on digital technology, and the arguments discussed are up to date and accurate. The article is useful to teachers and students, as it serves to be a modernised reproduction for traditional academic genre or teaching practice, that provides more personalised learning between class members and teaching faculty. This ultimately supports the notion that blogging is an exemplar of an interlinked network, fluid and distinctly contemporary writing genre that can be leveraged to make effective learning environments. 

Word Count: 453