A Reflection on Semester One – Media 1: Questions Ft. Graph

I do not claim to be the best graph maker, indeed far from it but this exercise was useful in allowing me to think about my progress in the Media program in my first semester of Uni by mapping it out visually. On that note, this post details my 500 Word Reflection on the selected blog post and includes a scanned copy (below) of my ‘Learning Graph’. I have explained in brief detail my justifictaions for my graph plot points also.

MediaGraph

 

 

Question 1

  • How much have I learnt about making media objects/stories?

In terms of making media objects, what I have learnt has come from directly making the product. By stepping out of the comfort zone of having lengthy deadlines and being made to create within tight time frames, although this was challenging I was able to do so by learning to trust my ideas and just go for it really. By not being able to second guess myself I was able to create and then think about how I might improve for next time, not the other way round.

Question 2

  • What is my ability to work independently in unfamiliar ways or with new systems and tools?

 I can’t say I had a problem working independently before commencing the course, however this skill was built upon, particularly when it came to editing and collating the first few project briefs. Admittedly I felt that I stuck to a particular “safe space” in using programs such as iMovie instead of Premiere, for example which is relatively more complex to use. As depicted on the graph, I felt this only increased with doing the project briefs.

Question 3

  • How much do I understand and think critically and creatively about what I make?

The skills of critical analysis and creativity, I can see through completing this semester will be carried with me throughout the degree progressively, and also when I continue to develop my skills as a media maker.

Question 4

  • What is my understanding of the role/value of the blog

 The role and value of the blog differed, in my opinion throughout the blog. In the first few weeks of class I found it a tedious and confusing task (particularly in relation to what exactly I was meant to be posting. However as the semester moved along I did find the blog useful in ensuring I was ‘digesting’ the ideas put forth in the readings and ideas discussed in the tutorials. A secondary, but equally important function of this blog has been making it a place where I can present my work online and share the links to it with friends and family, although at times I have felt uncomfortable with this forum being public.

 

Links to Blog Posts

Wk 12: Technology

https://www.mediafactory.org.au/rebecca-maakasa/2015/05/27/wk-12-media-lectorial-readings-technology-takeover/

Wk 11: Remixes

https://www.mediafactory.org.au/rebecca-maakasa/2015/05/20/wk11-remixes-post-broadcast-postmodern-poststructural/

Wk 9: Audiences

https://www.mediafactory.org.au/rebecca-maakasa/2015/05/08/wk-10-lectorial/

Wk 8: Narrative

https://www.mediafactory.org.au/rebecca-maakasa/2015/05/01/week-8-narrative/

Wk 3: Reading on media and public engagement

https://www.mediafactory.org.au/rebecca-maakasa/wp-admin/post.php?post=36&action=edit

500 Word Reflection 

Within this semester what I feel I have learnt relates to an increase in technical competence as well as building upon existing skills. Specifically the process of working independently and with others to produce informed yet creative pieces of work. To summarise essentially what I have taken from this semester I would say that I have been introduced and have been able to interrogate some of the “umbrella” terms that form under the multi-faceted concept of “Media”.
Although I recognise I still have a long way to go in terms of investigating and reconciling how I understand media to operate (not just in terms technical competence but also the philosophy of media). I feel that this semester has allowed me to get a taste of a dozen different aspects of the media. by focusing on a concept each week I found the readings and information about each topic summarised and consolidated by needing to write up a blog post about it. I also felt that the topics learned in class and lectorial allowed the theory to inform my media practice, most notably through the project briefs.

So how exactly did I come to reach this? Ultimately my learning was improved by three main factors: research, responding, and reflection (and alliteration, obviously). Dealing with research in both the assigned readings (usually academic articles) and in conducting my own research (particularly with later project briefs) allowed me to further explore in-depth topics such as audiences, mediums and technology. Responding to these ideas was achieved through completing blog posts and further drawing upon researched information in project briefs, especially Project Brief 4 which involved creating an annotated bibliography to summarise concisely the main ideas informed by a particular aspect of research. This information triggered responses within projects as I was able to draw on this information to build my work from a well informed base. Finally, the process of reflection was consistently drawn upon after completing projects and also on a more regular basis following readings, lectorials and tutorial classes. Reflections were posted via personal blogs, as were projects, allowing them to be shared with peers and staff.

This semester was not without its challenges. My first hurdle I discovered was access to equipment was limited. In regards to my own equipment I found it a challenge to work without hindrance as I did not have access to a suitable laptop for some course work (specifically video editing for PB1 and PB2). Hiring microphones and video cameras was restricted at university and times needed to be negotiated to hire and use them due to their being in high demand from all within the course. When situations like this arose I needed to rely on being organised and flexible in when I could work on assignments whilst respecting deadlines.

My creative practice, I have discovered works best when I let go of inhibitions such as doubting my ideas and start a task, even with just a faint inkling of what I want to achieve and building upon it from that point. It is also further improved by taking the extra time and initiative to try and learn skills that will compliment my work. For example, cosulting “Lynda Online” for tutorials on how to use computer editing software (Premiere, iMovie) so that I build confidence and competence in using these programs both improving my skills and ability to complete video based assignments.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *