What is the most significant thing you've learned about digital publishing?
I've learned many new things about digital publishing through this class that I never questions prior to gaining this knowledge. For one thing, remediation is a concept that I never thought of in terms of digital publishing prior to this class. Everytime a new technology came out or something newer and better hit the market, I never stopped to wonder why this happened, if their was a need for it, and what was it "remediating".
What are the strengths of your project?
I believe that my project has strength in illustrating the different forms of the self and how they can be displayed through digital media, as well as how they can adapt to new and emerging technologies
What will you do with your new knowledge?
I will look at digital publications much differently. I have already seen a change in the way I look at new products, social media, websites, etc. Now, I question what it has remediated, and look at in terms of the goal it is trying to achieve.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Final post
Wow, how time flies! It is hard to believe our last class is tonight. This is my very last class as an MAPC student, and I want to say I am very glad I chose this to be my last course. I say that because this course has enabled me to learn new software and technology that I otherwise would not have pursued. Instead of being relieved the orals and the project defense are over as my last reflection of the program, I have a new perspective on my objectives in my working environment here at Clemson.
1. What is the most significant thing that you've learned about digital publishing?
I think for me that it's that we should understand the "why" that is behind the choices that we make in design, so when we are at the point to truly understand our goals in a project, we are theoretically equipped to proceed. Also, it is not so much about what we want to produce (or produced) but why we made the decisions we made along the way. When developing a project we should always have a "because" to answer every "what."
Our audience should be the focus when we answer "because." If we have not taken the time to give the user what they need are we not simply trying to teach a body of information we want to publish? I think it is important for me to always keep in mind it is my responsibility as a digital publisher to provide information that the audience needs to know versus what I want to tell them in order for my publications to be successful.
2. What are the strengths of your project?
I believe the strenghts are the on-camera interviews with faculty members about proposal development. I feel that if faculty members are able to gather information from watching a short clip of their peers that have gone through the process, they may be more receptive to the information rather than reading it on-line. Hopefully this remediation of print to film will be a stepping stone to more interactive and collaborative forms of information that is disseminated about research.
3. What will you do with your new knowledge?
The possibilities are endless for the AAH Research website. I would like to continue to talk to the faculty members in the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities and listen to what they would like as far as information about research and proposal development. I also believe the possibilities are endless for me as a digital publisher. However, in order to provide cutting edge material, it is critical to stay current with new technology. Learning new software and technology enables an individual to own that knowledge. What I have learned in the few short weeks has prompted me to want to learn more about new technology and ways to apply it in my career. I look forward to what lies ahead of me, and what I am able to do with different applications.
1. What is the most significant thing that you've learned about digital publishing?
I think for me that it's that we should understand the "why" that is behind the choices that we make in design, so when we are at the point to truly understand our goals in a project, we are theoretically equipped to proceed. Also, it is not so much about what we want to produce (or produced) but why we made the decisions we made along the way. When developing a project we should always have a "because" to answer every "what."
Our audience should be the focus when we answer "because." If we have not taken the time to give the user what they need are we not simply trying to teach a body of information we want to publish? I think it is important for me to always keep in mind it is my responsibility as a digital publisher to provide information that the audience needs to know versus what I want to tell them in order for my publications to be successful.
2. What are the strengths of your project?
I believe the strenghts are the on-camera interviews with faculty members about proposal development. I feel that if faculty members are able to gather information from watching a short clip of their peers that have gone through the process, they may be more receptive to the information rather than reading it on-line. Hopefully this remediation of print to film will be a stepping stone to more interactive and collaborative forms of information that is disseminated about research.
3. What will you do with your new knowledge?
The possibilities are endless for the AAH Research website. I would like to continue to talk to the faculty members in the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities and listen to what they would like as far as information about research and proposal development. I also believe the possibilities are endless for me as a digital publisher. However, in order to provide cutting edge material, it is critical to stay current with new technology. Learning new software and technology enables an individual to own that knowledge. What I have learned in the few short weeks has prompted me to want to learn more about new technology and ways to apply it in my career. I look forward to what lies ahead of me, and what I am able to do with different applications.
Final Post - Final Thoughts
1. What is the most significant thing that you've learned about digital publishing?
The most significant thing that I have learned about digital publishing in this class is probably the theories of remediation and hypermedia/transparency. Although these theories have crossed my mind for specific situations before, I had never thought about them as universal principals in design or as part of the creative process. I think that Bolter and Grusin discuss the theories in a variety of situations very well, but they did have a tendency to focus on what was ultramodern at the time of the book's publication. These ideas are present in all forms of art and publication and I think they are important to consider when thinking about what a publication means, who it's audience is, and what it is trying to accomplish. These are all very important as parts of rhetoric and parts of communication.
2. What are the strengths of your project?
The strengths of my project are in its theoretical concept and in its future. By this I mean that I am not yet happy with what it has achieved, but still feel proud of what it represents as an idea and what it may grow into in the near future. I feel that the ideas that it represents are very important: spreading the creative process and discussion to new people and gathering individuals together as part of a community.
3. What will you do with your new knowledge?
With my new knowledge, I hope to keep doing what I've been doing, only perhaps more effectively. All of the theories that we have discussed in class can shape my communication habits. I have a new appreciation for "the little guy" in our national media, a new found understanding of how ideas change and adapt to different media, and also new insight into how good group decisions can be made. These ideas will come into play in my final year in MAPC when I write my thesis about the Obama Infomercial near the end of the last presidential election. I would be very interested in McChesney's thoughts on the infomercial as it expresses many of his same beliefs through a completely controlled message with no citizen input. I can also address the idea of remediation as the Infomercial is an adaptation of the traditional political commercial and an adaptation of a news magazine-style segment.
The most significant thing that I have learned about digital publishing in this class is probably the theories of remediation and hypermedia/transparency. Although these theories have crossed my mind for specific situations before, I had never thought about them as universal principals in design or as part of the creative process. I think that Bolter and Grusin discuss the theories in a variety of situations very well, but they did have a tendency to focus on what was ultramodern at the time of the book's publication. These ideas are present in all forms of art and publication and I think they are important to consider when thinking about what a publication means, who it's audience is, and what it is trying to accomplish. These are all very important as parts of rhetoric and parts of communication.
2. What are the strengths of your project?
The strengths of my project are in its theoretical concept and in its future. By this I mean that I am not yet happy with what it has achieved, but still feel proud of what it represents as an idea and what it may grow into in the near future. I feel that the ideas that it represents are very important: spreading the creative process and discussion to new people and gathering individuals together as part of a community.
3. What will you do with your new knowledge?
With my new knowledge, I hope to keep doing what I've been doing, only perhaps more effectively. All of the theories that we have discussed in class can shape my communication habits. I have a new appreciation for "the little guy" in our national media, a new found understanding of how ideas change and adapt to different media, and also new insight into how good group decisions can be made. These ideas will come into play in my final year in MAPC when I write my thesis about the Obama Infomercial near the end of the last presidential election. I would be very interested in McChesney's thoughts on the infomercial as it expresses many of his same beliefs through a completely controlled message with no citizen input. I can also address the idea of remediation as the Infomercial is an adaptation of the traditional political commercial and an adaptation of a news magazine-style segment.
Final Post
1. What is the most significant thing that you've learned about digital publishing?
I have learned quite a bit in this class. I had never really considered digital publishing to be a subject that had much weight to it before I began this class, but have completely changed my opinion. I now know how important digital publishing is and will become as our media landscape changes. We must look at our audience like never before as their online habits and needs may differ quite significantly from their offline counterparts. The Internet has given the public the opportunity to connect with people all across the globe, bringing our globalized world ever closer. As I move into a career in advertising where my job will be to connect with consumers both online and offline, Bolter and Grusin's virtual and networked self provide the theory I will need to make strategic informed media decisions.
2. What are the strengths of your project?
Once again, questions regarding my project have to be approached a little differently. My project outlines the elements of a viral campaign from start to finish. The strength in my project is from showing the numerous ways that the Internet can be used to connect with the public. It provides a good case study for effective online digital campaigns.
3. What will you do with your new knowlege?
Like I mentioned above, this knowledge I have gained from this class will be extremely useful as I begin a career in advertising, especially as an entry level media planner. There is will be my job to chose the media that will be most successful and efficient in connecting with consumers. Knowing what motivates the public online will allow me to better select the media that should be used in an online campaign.
I have learned quite a bit in this class. I had never really considered digital publishing to be a subject that had much weight to it before I began this class, but have completely changed my opinion. I now know how important digital publishing is and will become as our media landscape changes. We must look at our audience like never before as their online habits and needs may differ quite significantly from their offline counterparts. The Internet has given the public the opportunity to connect with people all across the globe, bringing our globalized world ever closer. As I move into a career in advertising where my job will be to connect with consumers both online and offline, Bolter and Grusin's virtual and networked self provide the theory I will need to make strategic informed media decisions.
2. What are the strengths of your project?
Once again, questions regarding my project have to be approached a little differently. My project outlines the elements of a viral campaign from start to finish. The strength in my project is from showing the numerous ways that the Internet can be used to connect with the public. It provides a good case study for effective online digital campaigns.
3. What will you do with your new knowlege?
Like I mentioned above, this knowledge I have gained from this class will be extremely useful as I begin a career in advertising, especially as an entry level media planner. There is will be my job to chose the media that will be most successful and efficient in connecting with consumers. Knowing what motivates the public online will allow me to better select the media that should be used in an online campaign.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Final Post: Reflections and lessons
Dear class,
Thank you for a very pleasurable learning experience. I cannot wait to present my final work tomorrow...and see what the class was able to produce. It's been a privilege working with you this past term.
Without further ado...
What is the most significant thing that you've learned about digital publishing?
It is rather difficult to reduce this question to a blog entry response. We’ve reviewed four books this semester – McChesney, Sunstein, Bolter & Grusin and Williams as a group. Independently I studied Powazek’s Design for Community, Prezi, Captivate and HTML. It’s been a lot to absorb…but a rewarding process.
My most important learning has been that the media and message must be aligned with the exigence. The problem being addressed dictates the appropriate response. It begins not with learning something nifty about technology (although we did that!), but instead understanding the possible contributions of digital production to the rhetorical situation. Whether using a digital or traditional media, always explore exigence first. Then the exigence will dictate the design and content parameters…Also, from this approach, the parameters for how to select the media are determined ahead of time.
On a closing note, I think Dr. Fishman raised an excellent point in class discussion directly relevant to this question. Technology has the equivalent of a “born-on” date. The continuous software and hardware innovations make it impossible to rest on our e-laurels. Less important than technological proficiency is the ability to learn new technologies. This class brings me current in several areas. However, I feel there’s much more I can (and will need to) learn!
What are the strengths of your project?
I’m proud of my project. Much of my time was spent considering the product not as a publication, but a new organizational entity entirely. I went off the course to do it. Budgeting…reviewing the process of incorporation…looking at the current state of film patronage in SC…and crafting community rules and vision were some of my steps. Design became the last priority to review this material first.
The society design is a novel approach. Using a community design, I created a project for film conversation remediated by a wiki, blog, and several support sites. This group, if successfully formed, will also produce funding for South Carolina film charities. In short, the society meets the needs for virtual collaboration on an enterprise of public benefit and cultural awareness.
I used several modalities to accomplish this…including a blog, wiki, prezi, video on Utube, twitter presence, and several html. documents. It was an ambitious undertaking for the time available. I’m proud of the idea…interaction design…use of digital media theory…and level of technological comfort I gained from the process.
What will you do with your new knowledge?
Learn more. I’ve got my eyes set on Adobe certifications and active involvement with MMUG group the year ahead. I’d like to see if I can get the Film Society off the ground. And I’m not done with my formal education . In short, this is not the end of the learning process for me.
Thank you for a very pleasurable learning experience. I cannot wait to present my final work tomorrow...and see what the class was able to produce. It's been a privilege working with you this past term.
Without further ado...
What is the most significant thing that you've learned about digital publishing?
It is rather difficult to reduce this question to a blog entry response. We’ve reviewed four books this semester – McChesney, Sunstein, Bolter & Grusin and Williams as a group. Independently I studied Powazek’s Design for Community, Prezi, Captivate and HTML. It’s been a lot to absorb…but a rewarding process.
My most important learning has been that the media and message must be aligned with the exigence. The problem being addressed dictates the appropriate response. It begins not with learning something nifty about technology (although we did that!), but instead understanding the possible contributions of digital production to the rhetorical situation. Whether using a digital or traditional media, always explore exigence first. Then the exigence will dictate the design and content parameters…Also, from this approach, the parameters for how to select the media are determined ahead of time.
On a closing note, I think Dr. Fishman raised an excellent point in class discussion directly relevant to this question. Technology has the equivalent of a “born-on” date. The continuous software and hardware innovations make it impossible to rest on our e-laurels. Less important than technological proficiency is the ability to learn new technologies. This class brings me current in several areas. However, I feel there’s much more I can (and will need to) learn!
What are the strengths of your project?
I’m proud of my project. Much of my time was spent considering the product not as a publication, but a new organizational entity entirely. I went off the course to do it. Budgeting…reviewing the process of incorporation…looking at the current state of film patronage in SC…and crafting community rules and vision were some of my steps. Design became the last priority to review this material first.
The society design is a novel approach. Using a community design, I created a project for film conversation remediated by a wiki, blog, and several support sites. This group, if successfully formed, will also produce funding for South Carolina film charities. In short, the society meets the needs for virtual collaboration on an enterprise of public benefit and cultural awareness.
I used several modalities to accomplish this…including a blog, wiki, prezi, video on Utube, twitter presence, and several html. documents. It was an ambitious undertaking for the time available. I’m proud of the idea…interaction design…use of digital media theory…and level of technological comfort I gained from the process.
What will you do with your new knowledge?
Learn more. I’ve got my eyes set on Adobe certifications and active involvement with MMUG group the year ahead. I’d like to see if I can get the Film Society off the ground. And I’m not done with my formal education . In short, this is not the end of the learning process for me.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Post 12: "Paper" Proposal Main Argument
For the "paper" accompanying my final project, I will be creating a short video which will address the interaction of theory and practical application on the Clemson Online Film Festival website. I plan on using screen shots of my website as I discuss the theories that came into play during its creation and its use. I have decided to use all 4 of the books that we have read in class, but I feel that my main argument would be about how my project relates to and bolsters the claims of McChesney's book: Communication Revolution. My paper will not only show the need for a grassroots form of media, it will also show the barriers of such an alternative media.
Communication Revolution has a clear connection to my project’s goal of encouraging creative output outside of the corporate media system. I think McChesney would be pleased to see a grassroots film effort like this, but perhaps disappointed in its limited scope. I for one, would welcome a government grant to help me build such a website and connect it with a local television station, and even video production courses here on campus. Theoretically there is a great deal more that I could do to strengthen the areas of film production and criticism in the Clemson community, however a lack of time and money will most likely keep this a small operation. It is only due to the availability and relative inexpense of current technology (the availability of the internet, the advent of internet video and of social networks) that my modest site is even possible. I agree with McChesney that these new technologies have given us an opportunity to include small-time productions as part of the media, but disagree that the window is closing on us. It remains to be seen, though.
Communication Revolution has a clear connection to my project’s goal of encouraging creative output outside of the corporate media system. I think McChesney would be pleased to see a grassroots film effort like this, but perhaps disappointed in its limited scope. I for one, would welcome a government grant to help me build such a website and connect it with a local television station, and even video production courses here on campus. Theoretically there is a great deal more that I could do to strengthen the areas of film production and criticism in the Clemson community, however a lack of time and money will most likely keep this a small operation. It is only due to the availability and relative inexpense of current technology (the availability of the internet, the advent of internet video and of social networks) that my modest site is even possible. I agree with McChesney that these new technologies have given us an opportunity to include small-time productions as part of the media, but disagree that the window is closing on us. It remains to be seen, though.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Post 11: Group Success
Both of the reasons for group failure which I discussed in my last post, can also lead to group success. Groups do need to stick together and work in unison towards a common goal. Social pressures can ensure that everyone gets along and ensure that a hierarchy remains intact. A very strong group structure, like that in the military, can be used to make sure that everyone is moving in the same direction.
Informational influences can benefit a group in a similar way. Without any informational momentum, a group would spend days or weeks exploring every single one of their options. Eventually an idea (hopefully a good one) needs to gain traction and get team support to go forward and get the actual project finished. The key is to find the balance between having too much or too little social and informational influence and to decide what is appropriate to the project at hand. For example, I know how frustrating it is when a group of people can't decide where to eat for dinner. In this case, they have too little social and/or informational influence. If almost everyone really wants Mexican, than this works out much better. However if everyone in congress suddenly decides that building a bridge across the Atlantic is necessary, this may not lead to a desirable outcome.
Informational influences can benefit a group in a similar way. Without any informational momentum, a group would spend days or weeks exploring every single one of their options. Eventually an idea (hopefully a good one) needs to gain traction and get team support to go forward and get the actual project finished. The key is to find the balance between having too much or too little social and informational influence and to decide what is appropriate to the project at hand. For example, I know how frustrating it is when a group of people can't decide where to eat for dinner. In this case, they have too little social and/or informational influence. If almost everyone really wants Mexican, than this works out much better. However if everyone in congress suddenly decides that building a bridge across the Atlantic is necessary, this may not lead to a desirable outcome.
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