Mid-Semester Reflection

1. After studying 21st century media for eight weeks in this class, what have you learned? Please be specific.

I've learned how media works to control us (the machine is us) but is simultaneously being taught by us (the machine is using us). I have learned how to analyze the production techniques and persuasive techniques used in producing any piece of media and how it works with the different parts of our brain. I've learned that a lot can come from becoming personally involved with media instead of just looking at it. It means a lot more when you don't just take it at face value.

This video just really stuck out to me, of all of the ones we've watched. I feel that I learned a lot from it and the work that we did with it.

2. What is the most important thing you have learned about yourself as a critical reader, a writer, and a thinker in this class so far?

I've learned that I know a lot more than I originally thought I did about media, but also that I have much more to learn. I've also realized that I have a LOT to say that I haven't been saying about the media and how it influences us. I have learned that it is necessary to dig a little deeper when reading or watching anything, and that if you have something to say about it, there are many ways I can do so and I shouldn't hesitate to do so. I have also learned that I have much to contribute to the world of media.

3. What's one thing you would do differently this first half of the semester if you were to take this class again?

I think I would not do much of anything differently, aside from maybe reading the text a bit more thoroughly. But all in all, I love this class and that keeps me engaged. I think I'm doing well with the subject matter and I think I am learning a lot. Being open to the information helps me and I am keeping up with the work. So I don't think I would change anything.

Satisfied! Photo courtesy of my PhotoBooth.

4. What's one thing you would like me to do differently this first half of the semester if you were to take this class again?

I think it would be helpful to discuss or review the text we're reading before we do the blog entries about it, or even afterwards. It's a lot of information to process in general, and I think it would be hugely beneficial to discuss it further in class instead of just taking in all of this and not doing anything with it. Maybe you could also inform the class, for those who didn't pick it up, that the book is available online. It is tremendously helpful, for me anyways, when doing the homework. Sometimes after reading so much information in one sitting like I do with the chapter, it is nice to then read the summaries online and take quizzes to make sure I understand the basic concepts and all of the information I'm taking in.

5. Please comment on the usefulness of the power tools, our course blog, your personal blog, our in-class quizzes, our films, and our book(s) as learning tools.

I find the power tools to be extremely useful I think the course blog is also really helpful. Everything we need to keep track of in for the class is conveniently located there in a single location. The personal blog I love because it helps me to practice the power tools on my own, outside of the school setting, with things I really care about or find interesting. The quizzes keep us on our toes and force us to practice and study the power tools. The films are helpful in practicing the tools and are interesting to analyze. The book, however, is a different matter for me. It is full of incredible and interesting and new and helpful information that I didn't know before, but I don't see how to connect it to anything else we're learning because we literally never talk about it, revisit what we've read, discuss how it relates to all of the things we talk about in class, so why the hell do we bother reading it or blogging about it? The disconnect really bothers me because even if I'm learning, the homework is useful if I don't put it into practice or get a chance to really digest it by discussing or processing it with other people. I think the book would be more useful by tenfold if it actually connected our homework to anything we discuss.