Virtual Reality - The Next Big Thing?

This Fast Co.Design article, following Facebook's acquisition of Oculus VR, asks whether virtual reality could be the next big thing?

With reference to classic Sci-Fi texts including The Lawnmower Man and The Matrix, the article considers the potential convergence of wearable technologies, social media and virtual reality.

#CyberPunk #FTW!

AS: A&I Essay Planning

One of your peers emailed me unsure of how to get started with the Audiences and Institutions essay. If this particular student has questions, then I am sure that the rest of you do. So here is a copy of my reply:

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Have you used the mind map to plan the structure of your essay? My first question if I was doing this essay is which parts of the mind map are going to go into my essay.

So, read the question. What are the possible answers?

Well, some magazines have fully embraced the use of 'converged media'. Some have had to in order to keep up with audience needs and changing tech. Some have not.

Therefore, my arguments are:

• Argument 1: Yes, media convergence is important. 
• Argument 2: In fact it is now integral to success for some parts of the magazine industry. 
• Argument 3: But there are some magazines that do not yet need to adapt 

Now I have a plan I need to use my mind map to flesh this out.

Arg 1: Convergence

• Pg 1. What is it? Why is it important? What case study can I use to illustrate that? 
• Pg 2. Can I build on that? Is there another case study? Another quotation? 

Arg 2. Some mags have no choice? 

• Pg. 3: Audience expectations - location, time, multi-media content... quotation? case study? 
• Pg. 4: Keeping up with the competition. Quotation? Case study? 

Arg 3: Not important. 

• Pg. 5: People's Friend - importance of knowing your TA 

Now, surrounding this I need an intro and a conclusion. 

Intro: In a few sentences set out the arguments. Don't mention any specific case studies. Keep it general.

Conclusion: What is your opinion? What does the future for the industry hold in relation to technological convergence? Hypothesise.

I hope this helps?

Magazine Industry Research

While we work through presentations, I want you to develop your understanding of the key issues through 'secondary' research.

Investigate and make notes on...

Magazine Industry

• How is it changing/evolving?
• What does the future hold?

Audience and Institutions

• How do audiences benefit from changes in the magazine industry?
• What challenges are magazines (and publishers) facing?

New Media Technologies

• How are NMTs impacting on the Magazine Industry?

Further to this, you need to find and analyse an article that comments on the current or potential future state of the Magazine Industry.

Investigate and analyse the article:

• Source?
• Who write it?
• What is the line of argument?
• Key quote? - This needs to be carefully critiqued.
• How does it link to the wider concepts in the unit and your case study?

Next, in groups of 4/5, share your articles making notes. This will give you a range of opinion on the topic.

AS: Audiences and Institutions Practice Assignment 2

Here is your next essay title; due in Monday, 16 April.

"Discuss the ways in which media products are produced and distributed to audiences, within a media area, which you have studied."

Please make sure you read through my comments on your previous essay before attempting this one.

Have a great Easter,
Mr. M.

Making is Connecting: The 4-minute presentation (2012)

David Gautlett kindly replied to an earlier post via Twitter and has pointed you towards the following (more recent) video. It develops the ideas discussed here in more detail focussing more intrinsically on the way modern media audiences are engaging with and interacting with Media.

AS and A2: Media and Everyday Life (David Gauntlett)

Watch the following video, make notes and consider how it relates to your current module:

The video was created by David Gauntlett. A2 students, you should know who he is already!