Lesson 7: Audience Consumption


Media consumption is about the audience taking in the media.  This can be through watching, reading and/or listening to a media product.  For this lesson we are considering the audience and the different conditions we are able to consume the media.  For this task you will need to think about the way in which YOU consume media products and how this affects your enjoyment.

Create a blog post titled 'Media Consumption' answering the questions below in full sentences.


   1. Identify 4 examples of media products and platforms that you prefer to consume in a          group

   e.g. watching films at the cinema.

    2.  For each example explain what you find enjoyable about consuming the media                    product in a group.
   
    3.  What disadvantages are there?



    4.  Identify 4 examples of media products and platforms that you consume on your own

    e.g. watching films on DVD


    5.  What are the benefits of being able to consume these products on your own?


    6.  What disadvantages are there?


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Homework:

Target Audiences

All media products are created with a target group in mind.  The media producer will always think about the characteristics, likes and dislikes of the target audience when creating a media product so they will be more successful in creating a media product that is appealing to that group. Sometimes media products will be aimed at a primary target group and a secondary target group.  In these instances the likes and dislikes of the primary group will be considered in addition to the likes and dislikes of the secondary group.  However, in this instance the primary group's likes and dislikes would be most important.

With this in mind take a look at this TV advert.  When thinking about the audience we can assume it is aimed at girls and boys aged 4-10 .  There are a number of clues within the advert that tells us this.  Can you think of any?  This advert is also aimed at parents.  They are the secondary audience. We know this because we are told that Coco Pops are also nutritious.  This information would not be important to the primary audience- children, but this would be important for parents.





Now look at the front cover of this magazine.

This magazine is aimed at a group of people with a very strong interest in music.  This is clear as all of the cover-lines on the cover include references to a variety of current music groups/artists.  The age group of this target audience is likely to be 18 and above, males and females.  The secondary audience for this magazine could be Cheryl Cole fans.  This can be assumed because she is the central focus of this magazine, shown through the large image of her and also her name that has been added in large text at the bottom.  Although Cheryl Cole fans might not usually buy this magazine, they may be attracted to the magazine upon noticing she has been featured in this edition.

Now find your own examples..............

Create a blog post titled ' Target Audiences'.  Find an example of a television programme, computer game,  TV advert and a film poster.  You will then answer the following questions for each one:

1.  Who is the primary target audience? Consider age, gender, and interests

2.  How do you know?  Use specific examples to support your point

3.  Who is the secondary target audience?

4.  How do you know? 

Due by your next lesson with Morvelisa

Lesson 6: Personalisation and Interactivity


Step 1:
Select one example of personalisation and one example of interactivity that you will explore.  When exploring the examples you will need to make a note of: 


1.  How the media product can be personalised or how it is interactive?  List the different ways

2.  What are the advantages and disadvantages of the media product in relation to interactivity/personalisation? Consider the consumer AND the producer. e.g. personalisation of a laptop allows for some creativity for the consumer e.g. selecting wallpaper, creating a password, installation of software, font features etc.


Examples of Personalisation

Personalised Avatars - WeeMee

Personalised Audio

Any of the following - youTube, BBC iPlayer, Amazon, Spotify recommended for you

Personalised adverts (hypertargeting) - social networking sites such as Facebook

Personalised website - Pinterest



Examples of Interactivity

Toyota interactive iPad advert

Interactive online game: BBC's Dr Who: The Gun Powder Plot

Interactive video- The Treasure Hunt: A Chad, Matt and Rob Interactive Adventure

Interactive Audio



Step 2:
Create a case study fact sheet in Word covering the following:

1. Definition of personalisation and interactivity

2. Examples of media products and devices that allow for personalisation and/or interactivity (at least two examples for each)

3.  Examples of advantages and disadvantages for personalisation and interactivity



Homework:

Look at examples of apps (free and paid)
Create an idea for a new app

Write a blog post titled 'App Proposal' explaining the following:

• The purpose of the app
• Functions
• How interactivity/personalisation works within it

Your post should be approximately 150-200 words and include at least 2 images to illustrate your idea. 

This is due by your next lesson with Morvelisa.

LESSON 5: Technological Convergence

Task 1

Sort out the cards for your category into two groups- ‘Advantages’ and  ‘Disadvantages’

For each card, write down:

1. -What it means
2. -Whether it is an advantage for the consumer, producer or both
3. -Explain the reason for it being an advantage or disadvantage

Each person in the group will need to make notes.  Be prepared to feedback your responses to the rest of the class.

Task 2

Select a device or platform of your choice that you will explore in relation to the impact of technological convergence.

Create a blog post titled ‘Technological Convergence’.   Identify the advantages/disadvantages for portability, connectivity, immediacy, access and convenience relating to your chosen device or platform. 

Start your post like this…

 ‘X is a device for accessing content from many media sectors’ 

OR 

‘X is a platform for accessing content from many media sectors’

Task 3

Carry out research to find out about the following:

·      What is Interactivity and Personalisation?

·      Find 5 examples of each one.  Your examples should cover a range of sectors

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Homework:

Essay Question: How has access to digital media technology changed the way in which the audience consumes media?

Points to cover-

• ·      What is technological convergence
• ·      Impact of changes
• ·      Advantages covering at least 3 devices and/or platforms
• ·      Disadvantages covering at least 3 devices and/or platforms

Due by your next Media lesson with Morvelisa

Lesson 4: My Media Case Study


Carry out an investigation into one of the following devices.

• PC
• MP3 Player
• Games Console
• Tablet
• Laptop
• Mobile Phone

Find out the following:

• What functions does the device have? Look at a range and create a list
• What media sectors are converged on the device (what sectors can the device access/use)
• HOW can different media sectors be accessed on the device?

Write a blog post explaining the following:

• How the device can be used?
• What advantages and disadvantages are there for the device? Why?
• How can the device be used to access different media sectors and products?
• What PLATFORMS are available through the device? How?

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Homework: 

1.  Write a blog post defining the terms below.  You will also need to provide an example for each one: Device, Platform, Sector and Products.

2.   Carry out an investigation into a second product. Create a blog post summarising your findings using the same questions as a guide.

Due: by your next media lesson with Morvelisa.

Lesson 3: Homework

Create a lesson blog explaining what you have learned in the lesson covering the points below.  Remember your responses should be in full sentences.  

Cross Media

1.   Cross-media synergy- what is it? Give examples

2.   What are the benefits of cross media synergy for a) media companies b) media devices

Stages of Production

3.  Define the different stages of production:  pre-production, production, post-production, distribution, exhibition/consumption.

4. Give examples for each stage of production relating to at least 3 sectors (publishing, audio, television/film, website, digital gaming)

Due by your next media lesson with Morvelisa.

Lesson 2

Homework: 

Create a blog post summarising what you have learned today.  Your blog post should be at least 250 words and include the following:

New media words: Digital and Analogue.  
1. Define these terms in your own words.  You may need to do some extra research for this. 
2. Give 3-4 examples of analogue products and digital products.  
3. Explain WHY they fit into each category.

Remember to write your blog post in detail and in full sentences. These posts will provide you with material to use as revision for the January exam.

Deadline: 22nd September (your next Media lesson with Morvelisa)