Photos 101

Photo Journalism

Today you will begin to think about taking pictures to tell a story. First, however, in order to know what makes good photojournalism, you must see good photojournalism. Click on the link below to the main Time Magazine Photo Essay site. Once there, look at the different topics and choose 2 photo essays to review. Write down on a sheet of paper which essay you viewed and what you learned from it.

http://www.time.com/time/photoessays

Does this work?!

Let's see if I can post

Time to Start Blogging!

We've learned and critiqued Facebook and MySpace, explored and had fun with Twitter, now it's time to get blogging! You will use this space, as well as PB Works, to reflect on the reading, discuss topics, and also share your work. You will interact with each other by reading and responding to each other's blogs. Ever so often I'll post a question about a current event with technology/using media and I invite you all to create a dialog with me and each other on the topic. Let's have fun with this as we are having fun with Twitter! Let's Get Blogging!!!

And now for a question I'd like for you to reflect on. Either comment here or on your blog.

In the news yesterday it was reported that a young student from Rutgers University killed himself because his roommate posted, or rather streamed online live, a private moment the student had in his room. His roommate posted on Twitter encouraging people to view the webcam. The student's roommate did this to him twice. Now, the young man is dead and his roommate is facing jail time. A very sad case, but an important one because it highlights how the new media can be used for harm. It also brings up privacy issues and how do we, as a society, deal with the issue of privacy as many of today's teens are used to sharing a lot of information over the internet. Based on everything we've learned and discussed in class, what are your thoughts on the case? 

Media Studies Class

Ayelin works hard on the little laptops.
Justin making his podcast.

These are just a few students working hard in the Media Studies class.

The Power of Photo Images

On Monday you wrote a story based on a photo and begin to learn how photos can tell a story. Today you will focus on the power images can have on us. Examine the photo below and try to predict what was going on before, during and after the photo was taken. What ideas could the photo portray about the people in the photo? Write your response using complete sentences in comments instead of your blog. I will be checking your responses from home.

Welcome Back!

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had a relaxing vacation and watched a lot of movies. Now, it's time to get back to work.

Next semester we will focus on making movies, but we need to learn how to take photos and tell a story visually. The say "A picture is worth a 1000 words" is never more true in today's day and age. It is your turn to tell a story through pictures. Using the photo below, write a short story based on the picture. Write your story in Google Documents and then share with the entire class. You have 30 minutes to write your story.

Welcome to a new classroom!

Hey Everyone!

We're going to try something new today - a virtual classroom. I will be teaching you from home! The visiting teacher will be there physically, but we will interact through Google chat. Make sure to follow all directions from both me and your visiting teacher. First things first, your warm-up. Ask your visiting teacher for the NewsHour KWL chart and quietly fill it out. When you are done, send me a message.

Today we're going to start learning about podcasting and thinking about the podcast you will create for Mrs. Norris. To begin, please answer the following questions below.

1. Do you own or have access to an iPod or other MP3 device or a home computer?
2. Are you familiar with the term podcast and what it means?
3. Have you ever listened to a podcast?
4. Do you currently listen to/subscribe to at least one podcast on a regular basis?

Weds. Nov 5

Go to CNN.com, find an article about the election, read it and post your response on your blog. You have 25 minutes.

Classwork 10.22

Look at the following websites and record the information about the pages using our Homepage Analysis Sheet. We will use this sheet as a basis for a class discussion.

CBS 2

CNN

ABC 7

PBS

NBC 4

FOX 11

Based on what you have read and discussed, what does Marshall McLuhan's statement "The medium is the message" mean to you now?"

Write a paragraph explaining your answer and use information that you learned from monday's class discussion and your homework to support your response.

Classwork 10.20

To further explore media's impact on teens, visit the following websites, read the article and write a summary of each article on a sheet of paper. Click on the links below to view the websites.

Impact of Media on Children & Teens

Children, Adolescents and Television

Media Mayhem in the Midst of Tragedy

Television Violence

Violence in the News

Media Shapes Perception Day 1

Today we will continue to explore how media shapes our perception by examining a specific media event as well as how news organizations cover such events. This entire discussion will involve activities and discussions to help you answer the question..how does media shape our perceptions.

Today's warm up...

What do you remember of the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina?

Exploring Podcasts

Today I want you look through and subscribe to a podcast of interest for you. Once you have subscribed, listen to a podcast and then write a review of the podcast in your blog. You have 30 minutes to complete this. Even if you do not finish the podcast, and some of you might, write a review of what you did listen to.

Today we will begin a new unit where we will look at how media shapes our perceptions. We will explore the media's influence through a case study and also examine how our views are shaped by the media. The technology we will focus on is podcasting which is changing the way society uses media. To get started, we will identify and understand how media is used and how it affects society.

Today's warm up question...

In what way(s) does the media impact you on a daily basis?

Project Work Day #2

Today you will continue to work on your project, but with a little twist. I will explain once you have completed your warm up.

Warm Up...

Write a paragraph persuading a friend how MySpace can be dangerous and for them to use caution when on the site.

Today you will continue to work on developing your argument. By the end of the period, you should have 75% of your outline completed.

This morning Mrs. Marsh discussed internet safety. What could you do, as a member of the Media Arts class, to help spread the word to your classmates, the school community, family and friends about internet safety?

Developing Your Debate Argument

You've now read the last of the articles discussing the positives and negatives of Facebook, MySpace and YouTube. You've analyzed the articles, discussed the articles, and made a chart to outline the good and the bad. Now, that you've looked at all sides, what is your opinion? Write a paragraph answering the question "Does the value that Facebook, MySpace and YouTube provide outweigh the moral and ethical objections to them?"

Today in class you will begin to form your arguments and prepare for your debate.