A2 Twitter Discussion - Storify

Here are all the tweets from today's Twitter discussion...

Something to chew on, over the weekend...

Postmodern Media - Digital Identity / Digital Self.

"Your 'Digital Self' is your online avatar, internet versions of yourself, the way you represent yourself online."

Questions:

• Do people represent themselves honestly online?
• Are the 'physical you' and the 'digital you' separate? 
• Which version of you is the most real? The 'physical you' or the 'digital you'?

Please reply to this post, providing your answers and your arguments/evidence...

Impromptu Lesson/Discussion About 'Kony 2012' (Friday, March 8, 13:10 - 14:00, Media 1)

In the lesson we will be discussing

• the postmodern dimensions of the video.
• the way it has become an 'Internet Meme'
• the backlash against the campaign, considering what this tells us about the way media is constructed and shared in the 21st Century.

Resources for the lesson:

Kony 2012 - Video

 

Kony 2012: what's the real story? - Guardian live updated blog about the Kony 2012 Video / Campaign.

Visible Children: Kony 2012 Viewed Critically - Very well written piece summing up some of the main concerns about the Kony 2012 campaign.

Unpacking Kony 2012 - More detailed piece about the pros and cons of the campaign.

Critiques - Invisible Children's response to the criticism they have received.

Slaxktivism - Further insight.

KONY 2012 May Be Flawed, But Slacktivism Isn’t the Enemy - Short piece focussing more on the impact of online activism. 

#kony2012 Tweets - See what others are saying.

Reflections - My students' response to the lesson, answering the following two questions:

1. What does KONY 2012 offer us, as students learning about Media in the 21st century?

2. Having now considered the campaign more critically, how do you feel about it?

Wikpedia: Joseph Kony

Wikipedia: Kony 2012

Wikipedia: Invisible Children

Wikipedia: Viral Video

Wikipedia: Internet Meme

SpongeBob

A recent study carried out by the University of Virginia would have you believe that watching SpongeBob SquarePants for little more than nine minutes can result in "short-term attention and learning problems". I doubt that very much. What this study does demonstrate however is how not to do research. Read Fox News' take here and the New York Times' response here. Oh, and keep watching SpongeBob, after all it's down right hilarious!

[Update] Nickelodeon's response to the report.

A2: Forum Discussion: WikiLeaks: A Modern Media Controversy

I have set up a discussion forum for you all to gather your thoughts, debate the issues and have a resource to return to in preparation for your exam.

Enter here!

A2: "Violent video games harmless for most kids"

Well timed article on the effects of video games on children.  Click on the 'MSNBC' logo to read the article. Perfect to keep the topic fresh as you prepare for your exam.


Don't forget that we have lesson tomorrow: 12:20 in Room 72.

A2: "The Armchair Assassin"

Click on the picture below for some some must read material on video games and violence, particularly the controversy surrounding 'Manhunt'.

A2: Google V China - The dispute continues...

Google have postponed the release of two "Android" mobile phones in China - see the BBC article here...and the Guardian's perspective here!

The question is: When and how will this dispute end? And what will the consequences be - for Google, it's employees in China, the Chinese public and the Chinese government?

A2: Only Google Could Leave China

Article from Wired Magazine reflecting on and putting into context Google's announcement to not censor the search results of "google.cn" and the likely-hood that they will be forced to abandon a market of "340 million users"!

A2: More on Google, China & Censorship!

Here are some links to articles and opinion pieces from The Guardian and The Independent newspapers about Google's decision to enter into a stand off with the Chinese authroities over the censorship of their search engine and apparent hacking of google e-mail accounts.

Internet Censorship in China 

How internet giant Google turned on gatekeepers of China's Great Firewall 

China Google cyberattack part of spying campaign: experts 

Google prompts soul-searching in China 

Google acted on censorship amid China dissident fears 

Defiant China web users back Google

[Update!] Google, Yahoo, Adobe and who?

While I like many find China's level of regulation and censorship wrong in the extreme it does bring the "Internet Regulation Debate" right to the forefront of the news and our collective thinking - can the Internet continue to exist in its current form unregulated?

A2: Porn star Ron Jeremy says violent video games are "worse" than porn!

Read the article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8453043.stm

A2: Homework - Censorship & China & Google!

Reminder - tomorrow's double is the last lesson on Media Regulation & Censorship. You will be moving onto Media & Collective Identity with Mr Ford next week.

Please make sure you read the rest of "Electronic Child Abuse" by David Buckingham from the book: Ill Effect, BARKER et al, 2001

Then read / re-read the Google Blog Post here: "A new approach to China" and answer the following questions:

• What issues / moral implications are raised by China’s “Internet Firewall”?
• What do you think about the Google Blog Post: “A new approach to China”?
• What links can you make between this form of censorship and the forms of censorship we have encountered in the unit so far?
• How would you feel as a British citizen if our government imposed similar censorship upon us?

You could also look at the following website (thanks Sehb / Sophie!): "Great Firewall of China".

You also need to read "Video Games" from the book Censored, MATTHEWS, 1994

See you tomorrow and well done to those of you who made in today, inspite of the snow!

Mr. M.

A2: Davina McCall: "Television is 'not good' for children"

Guardian Article - Wednesday 6th January 2010 - provides some interesting and related ideas about young peoples exposure to media.

Please read and make notes! - This is what we would have read / discussed in today's lesson, which is canceled due to the snow.

Mr. M.

A2: Extra Lesson With Mr. M. Every Wednesday Period 5 In Room 79.

There is now an extra media lesson every Wednesday P5 with Mr Michie.

This is not optional but a requirement to make sure that all A2 students achieve their full potential!

Mr. M.

A2: More Articles About Video Game Regulation & Censorship

Here are 4 more useful articles about video games:

"Video games don't create killers..."

"Violent Video Games: Myths..." 

"Could violent video games reduce..."

"Kids unaffected by violent video games..."

Please read them over the Christmas Break do develop your understanding further!

Merry Xmas!

Mr. M.

A2: Media Regulation & Censorship

Two articles from today's news that should prove to be helpful!

guardian.co.uk: "Teach five-year-olds to beware of adverts..."

independent.co.uk: "Hollyoaks axes 'child killers' plot"

A2: Extra Media Lesson - Wednesday, P5, Room 79

There will be an additional media lesson for A2 students on Wednesday 16th December, Period 5 in Room 79.

The lesson will focus on Regulation and Censorship - key quotes and essay writing.

All of you should be able to attend as this used to be your UCAS time - if you can not and have a valid reason you must either come and see me or e-mail to explain.

Mr. M.

Y13 Cover Work from Mr Michie - Monday 30th November

Video Games - Regulation and Censorship

Read the following articles and make notes:

SBBFC: Games - Timeline

SBBFC: Games - Case Studies

Gamers crave control and competence, not carnage

Violent video games won't corrupt anyone

Labour Mps clash over Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 game

Mps, come play a video game with me

Don't forget to help complete the 18 cert / banned video game wiki on the VLE.  Don't know the enrollment key, ask a class mate.

Mr. M.