Reflections on New Media

1.Understanding Techonolgy Cycle

A graph presented yesterday which highlighted the impact that techonology has in the environment. It was measured using Visibility against Time where it explains the different stages of a techonological 'life cycle' once it has 'triggered'. I thought that is very relevant in the explaination of human behavior - It first goes into 'overhype' drive where people are always looking forward to embrace it, only to know that techonology takes time to adapt itself in the environment. It then goes into a trough of disillusion for them because expecations exceed the ability of it to perform at the required standards. However over time, once techonology gets accustomed to to the demands and requirements, it moves on a plateau of productivity (which is the desired outcome that was initatlly envisaged of by people who first thought of it).

Lesson learnt - People needs to learn to be patience and learn to appreciate the process of techonological evolution rather than just be upset/disgruntle about the 'ineffectiveness' of it.

2. Mass Media vs Personal Media

The video which articulated the differences between mass media and personal media was insightful. It demistified what is mass media vis-a-vis personal media. While mass media will continue to exisit and will continue to gain general traction among the public, the paradigm shift and focus is now to push for personal media as it is able better connect to people's needs and behavior. The advantage of Personal media allows a person to  have autonomy and control of what they want to know, see and understand - ie from their point of view. The challenge for Personal media is that the materials put up by the designer must be appropriate and have substantial quality to continue to gain a user's attention.

3. Video by Howard

He rightfully pointed out that a person must go beyond skills (an individual attribute) to one that posesses literacy as it would tremendously not only empower and benfit onself but also the team and organisation. The integration of the 5 literacies pointed out (ie: Attention, Participation, COoperation, Critical Consumption and Network Awareness) brought new insights to do it with adeqaute examples to fundamentally support it. While he has surfaced the competencies of the 5 literacies, it is important for teachers/educators to understand that it is not a 1 size fits all solution. Living in a Gen Y era, they must learn to be able to tailor it accordingly to better suit and engage the different classes and audiences such that the desired outcome is achieved.