The Hitch-Hiker's Guide to the Digital Dimension

Finally we devote the last 6 weeks of 2010 to the NEW MEDIA part of Film, TV + New Media...

New Media - what is it?

It seems to be a convenient techno-term that comprises Broadband and Digital Convergence. Digital convergence is the merging of audio, video, and data into a single source that can be delivered by one device to another.

With the developing capacity to transfer digital information more rapidly through broadband networks, convergence will increasingly place media, communications and information at the centre of most people's lives.

While there are benefits to sourcing greater volumes of international content through such digital networks, Australians also need to share local experiences and stories through digital cultural expression.

It’s vital we examine the consequences of these new trends in Australian new media and emerging broadband environments for Australian content.



Topics that you will cover this term...


1. Video Gaming

http://www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/essays.html

refer to...

Article A - Reality Bytes: Eight Myths About Video Games Debunked (by Henry Jenkins)
Article B - Do You Know What Video Games Your Kids Are Playing? (by Pamela Eakes)
Article C - The Future of Video Gaming (by Michael Dolan)


2. Remix Culture

http://www.manovich.net/DOCS/remix_2007_2.doc

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.07/gibson.html


3. Social Networking

http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;463036027


http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2006-01-08-myspace-teens_x.htm

http://www.smh.com.au/news/technology/cyber-networking-sites-can-lead-to-a-bash-going-bust/2008/01/18/1200620210426.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2461923/Internet-and-mobile-phones-become-all-pervasive-in-modern-society.html



4. Ethics of Image Manipulation

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0202/p15s02-lire.html

http://www.theage.com.au/news/Management-Focus/Just-like-the-movies/2005/01/03/1104601279225.html


5. Mobile Phone Privacy Issues

http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/privacynsw/ll_pnsw.nsf/pages/PNSW_04_cameraphones

http://www.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=47477


6. Identity Theft

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/07/06/1057430077059.html

http://archives.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/08/16/id.theft.offline.idg/index.html


7. Information Sharing

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200609/wikipedia

http://www.speedofcreativity.org/2008/01/29/plagiarism-wikipedia-and-encouraging-students-to-care-about-digital-ethics/

http://techdirt.com/articles/20070308/184312.shtml


8. Cyber-Bullying

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/schools-ban-youtube-sites-in-cyberbully-fight/2007/03/01/1172338796092.html

http://www.reachout.com.au/default.asp?ti=2879


9. Blogging + Defamation / Confidentiality Issues

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0202/p03s02-usju.html


10. Digital Music Downloads

http://www.theage.com.au/news/security/digital-rights-and-wrongs/2006/09/26/1159036539208.html?page=fullpage

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22517599-5012327,00.html

http://www.theage.com.au/news/articles/at-last-music-is-the-winner/2007/04/18/1186857513185.html

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/10/05/1191091362067.html



PAIRS SEMINAR PRESENTATION - NEW MEDIA ISSUES

1. Once you have paired up with a class-mate, you will be allocated a New Media topic.

2. As a starting point, visit the various web links to do background reading and research on your topic.

3. During the research phase, you will need to locate additional information from other websites as well. Cast your research net widely - make sure you don't double up on the same sites as your partner.

4. Once you have gathered a range of information, begin to plan how you will deliver your presentation to the class.

Guidelines for presentation

• Aim to deliver a 15-20 minute seminar to the group
• Can you introduce the topic in a way that engages and stimulates your audience?
• How will you divide up who does what?
• What components will make up your presentation?

Photographic images? Video segments? Navigating us through websites? Other web content? Music? Dramatic role-play?

• The Audience participation factor

Plan a number of 'discussion point' questions to promote input from your audience, get them thinking and responding to some of the issues related to your topic.

Instigate a more formal quiz or activity to check for your audience's understanding or test what they've learnt.

Ask yourself this very important question...

What do you want your audience to have learnt by the end of your presentation?