Lesson: Thursday, March 29, 2012

In Google Docs create a drawing, document, or presentation brainstorming ideas for a presentation on how the media extend our bodies. You can be as visual and creative as you like. Possible ideas:

Get portable Chrome at this link, so that you can utilize Google Docs' presentation and drawing modes (if you wish).

• create a poster describing how media extend our bodies
• make a public service announcement to make people aware of how the media change their environments
• create a visual representation of how a certain technology extends our physical body (example: a car as an extension of our legs...)

Or:

Set up an account at http://www.glogster.com to create your project.

For now, focus on brainstorming ideas.

Go to docs.google.com and get to it.

Lesson: Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Aim: What is "Media Ecology"?

Media ecology looks into the matter of how media of communication affects human perception, understanding, feeling, and value, as well as how our interaction with media facilitates or impedes our chances of survival. The word ecology implies the study of environments: their structure, content, and impact on people. 

From this point of view: since media have such an impact on ever aspect of our lives, we seek an understanding of how these media affect our lives.

In Google Docs create a drawing, document, or presentation brainstorming ideas for a presentation on how the media extend our bodies. You can be as visual and creative as you like. Possible ideas:

• create a poster describing how media extend our bodies
• make a public service announcement to make people aware of how the media change their environments
• create a visual representation of how a certain technology extends our physical body (example: a car as an extension of our legs...)

For now, focus on brainstorming ideas.

Go to docs.google.com and get to it.

Lesson: Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Aim: How do media technologies help us to transcend our physical bodies?

All communication media help us do this:

Read:

http://mcluhangalaxy.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/the-medium-is-the-message%E2%80%A6but-so-what/

"Every society is shaped by its technological or media arrangement."

Lesson: Monday, March 26, 2012

Choose one medium (technology that has enhanced our ability to communicate) and research it on the internet. Answer the questions below and submit.

Lesson: Friday, March 23, 2012

Utopia or Dystopia? (or somewhere-in-between-topia...)

Use the vast knowledge base of the internet to research and answer these questions.

Also, if you haven't created a Gmail account and sent an e-mail to mr.strohmaa@gmail.com, please do so.

Do not click this really important link!

Really important LINK

Don't do it!

You've been warned!

Doh!

McLuhan and Postman and the iMEDIAte future...

(see what I did there?)

Marshall McLuhan is considered by some to be the father of modern media studies. Read some of what he had to say about media's role in our lives:

http://marshallmcluhanspeaks.com/ 

Neil Postman was an educator, professor and innovator in the field of media studies as well. He was influenced by McLuhan, but also had some distinct ideas of his own. I was lucky enough to be a student of his when I was in college. Read some of what he had to say about media in our lives:

http://www.serendipity.li/jsmill/post_1.html 

http://www.mat.upm.es/~jcm/neil-postman--five-things.html 

Fill-ins!

Lesson: Thursday, March 22, 2012

Read the article in the post below (about the new Nokia invention) and answer the questions (and submit).

When finished, create a (free) gmail account if you don't have one.
This will give you access to (among other things) Google Docs and Blogger, which you will need for this class.

Once you have an account, send an e-mail to mr.strohmaa@gmail.com

Rock on!

Vibrating Tattoo Patented By Nokia Alerts Users When Phone Rings

Is this too much? Or is it just the natural evolution of our relationship with media technology?

Vibrating Tattoo Patented By Nokia Alerts Users When Phone Rings:

Finnish mobile phone developer Nokia hasfiled for a patent on a magnetic, vibrating tattoo or badge that alerts users when their phones are ringing.

According to the official patent filing, the apparatus would be able to detect a magnetic field and transfer a "perceivable stimulus" to users. The device could notify people about an incoming call, text or dead battery.

Lesson: Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Found a great website called "Don't Buy It" on PBS Kids website. Some of the images and examples might seem corny, but give it a chance. They make some interesting points about the media.

Follow through these interactive pages:
http://pbskids.org/dontbuyit/buyingsmart/costofcool.html





When you are finished, check this out:

http://pbskids.org/dontbuyit/entertainment/covermodel_1.html

Lesson: Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Happy first day of Spring!


Media and Messages
What do media tell us about culture? Society? Ourselves?

When analyzing a piece of media we often refer to it as a "text". In analysis any form of media can be a text, not just print media.

For example, "Jersey Shore" can be a text (and can be analyzed from many points of view). Justin Bieber's body of work can be treated as a text. Things like this, while seemingly trivial, are perfect for analysis because they bring up so many "why" questions -- why is it popular, why does it make money, why do people care? etc....

By analyzing media texts we learn about our culture and ourselves. Have at it.

Use the internet to research any piece of media that you feel has a strong message. Answer the questions below:



 and, as always, analyze the heck out of it:

Media news today....

Apple's making a ton of cash:
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/2161950/apple-sells-million-ipads

Apple sells three million new Ipads (via The Inquirer)

SELLER OF SHINY ITHINGS Apple claims to have already sold three million of its latest Ipad models. Yesterday saw the firm announce what it will do with its cash hoard of $100bn, but it saved the news about how many Ipads it sold in the three days since launch until later. "The new Ipad is a blockbuster…

As Rebecca Black says, it's Friday, it's Friday.
Yesterday was Thursday
Today it is Friday
We we we we so excited.... We so excited...

You're welcome.

Use today to finish up any of this week's assignments. If you are completely finished with those, research any piece of media -- if you're stuck, I can help you find something on the web (perhaps a news article).

Use the media analysis form to record your responses.

Lesson: Thursday, March 15, 2012. Just do it.

"Advertising signs they con
You into thinking you’re the one
That can do what’s never been done
That can win what’s never been won
Meantime life outside goes on
All around you..."
-Bob Dylan "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" 1965

Now get to it!

Who owns the media?

(and why does it matter?)

Here are some interesting charts that show the various corporations that own the media.
This is an ever-changing world, so even though these charts were made in the last few years, there may have been changes since.

Click the images to enlarge...

.PDF Version that is easier to read here.

Also, check out this interactive Media Ownership Chart.

This is so very cool...

http://www.panomatics.net/theundividedmind/

Communication?

Source: vi.sualize.us via chloé on Pinterest

Lesson: Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Do Now:
When most students are asked, "why are you in school?" they generally give the same answer: "to learn".

But what does that mean?


Use the web to research background information about a piece of media you are analyzing.

See how much information you can get -- how deep you can go when answering questions like, "who paid for this?" or "who is the target audience?"

The internet can be your friend. Use it to unearth facts.

Use the media analysis form here.

Happy Pi Day!

3.14

And he was like, "Baby, Baby, Baby, Noooo"

Michael Nuanes, Denver Police Officer, Claims Girlfriend Attacked Him With Justin Bieber Doll In Domestic Abuse Case

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/12/justin-bieber-doll-assault-denver-cop_n_1340147.html

Is this newsworthy?

Lesson: Tuesday, March 13, 2012

1. Fill out the Media Usage Survey here. 
2. Choose any piece of media (song, book, movie, show, new article, news show, game, etc.) and answer the questions for analysis here.

iPads are flying off the shelves. What are the implications?

Is it worth the hype?

Why Aren't There Enough iPads to Go Around? - DailyFinance:

There are a few potential culprits for iPad supply shortages, including the fact that the tablet is seeing an aggressive global rollout on launch day that spans the United States, Canada, Japan, and much of Europe, among others. An additional 25 countries make the list a week after that, so Apple needs to reserve some units for every country.
The likelier cause is that the device's biggest selling point, the new Retina Display, is causing production bottlenecks and limiting supply as panel suppliers have difficulties ramping up yields. According to NPD Group's DisplaySearch, Apple is tapping three separate display suppliers: Samsung, LG Display (NYS: LPL) , and Sharp. DisplaySearch analyst Richard Shim says the high-resolution panel is presenting manufacturing challenges.

Obama Approval Rating Down in New York Times/CBS Poll - NYTimes.com

What are approval ratings and why are they important?

Obama Approval Rating Down in New York Times/CBS Poll - NYTimes.com:

How to Determine If a Charity Like Kony 2012 Is Worth Your Money

How to Determine If a Charity Like Kony 2012 Is Worth Your Money: "

Oil find sparks new hope for Uganda's people | World news | The Guardian

Article from August of 2009 --

Oil find sparks new hope for Uganda's people | World news | The Guardian: "Oil find sparks new hope for Uganda's people
Vast discovery could transform the economy – but only if managed well

Is there any connection between this and Invisible Children?

Why would it be advantages for the U.S. to have a military presence in this region?

Has Obama Just Kicked Off Another Oil War -- This Time in Africa? | Environment | AlterNet

Has Obama Just Kicked Off Another Oil War -- This Time in Africa? | Environment | AlterNet:

'via Blog this'

Key Questions

Marshall McLuhan

http://marshallmcluhanspeaks.com/

The year 2011 marked Marshall McLuhan’s 100th birthday. For more than half a century, his thoughts have been hotly debated, discussed, and interpreted in myriad ways. Yet very few people have actually heard McLuhan speak. They have not had the opportunity to see and hear him explain what he meant by his best-known sayings, “The medium is the message,” “global village,” and others.Today, a historic opportunity begins for the whole world to hear what he said and what he meant simply by going to the Internet — a medium that he himself presaged almost five decades ago.Start with Tom Wolfe’s introduction to the man he brought to public attention and savour McLuhan’s sayings, prophecies, and insights on the electric age, television, and, yes, even himself. You will hear McLuhan talking directly to you.

Click for more: http://marshallmcluhanspeaks.com/

The medium is the message.