MEST 3 Your case studies - what you should be doing over half term!

As I have mentioned several times, you should now have a very well developed case study. A few of you have taught the class now so you have a good powerpoint and resources to begin with. Your case study should have:


1. A range of different media products from a range of media platforms

2. Detailed examples from particular media products.

3. Evidence of research into media debates and issues and relevant wider contexts.

4. Theory used to explain and support answers

5. A real interest in the case study chosen, evidenced by engagement with the products and issues and own opinions.

 

After half term you should return with your red folder full of the following items:

 

• Print, moving image and e-media products (at least one from each) which is fully annotated and analysed. You might produce a semiotic analysis of an advert or look at the way your product or aspect of media has changed from print to digital.
• At least 5 newspaper articles or examples of debates about your chosen study - these should be printed off and accompanied with annotations and/or a few paragraphs to explain these debates in your own words
• A list of media theories which may link to your case study - explain how these link, where this can be seen (examples) and why it is important. Susie, you have a clear link to feminism but the rest of you will have to be more inventive! You should know media theories and debates extremely well by now.

 

• A few tips for individuals:
• 
   JACK
  The future of the games console
  A study into how new technology is affecting gaming and how this impacts on the audiences who buy/play the games. As games become more real and interactive, do we become dangerously involved in their narratives? Audience theories are useful here! 
• Look at the recent flappy birds debate - people buying devices with it still installed just so they can still play the game!
• The use of voice and communication within games. Why is this important? Will this still be important in ten years?
  
   SUSIE
  Cyberfeminism
  Has the internet helped or hindered feminist causes? Has it not created more opportunities for stalking, objectifying and criticizing women? Or is it used to provide freedom of speech and to promote feminist causes?
• Look at Jameela Jamil's blog and her discussion on Beyoncé. The reaction she got was very interesting.
• Katie Hopkins and The Daily Mail - are we more open to criticising other women? Look at the argument between her and Lily Allen.
• Super injunctions and naming of victims
• Read some articles - The Guardian is a good place to look! Caitlin Moran often has interesting viewpoints
• 
   KIERAN
  The impact of Facebook on our lives
  A study into how people use Facebook in positive and potentially negative ways. Could look at Facebook campaigns, scams etc as well as controversies over privacy, control and the power and influence it has as a website. Remember to look at how it makes money and how the adverts we see are tailored to our ‘needs’.
• Look at the recent #facebookisten videos and the newly introduced use of hashtags on facebook.
• Tv advert - I'm sure there was something? Have a look!
• Debates on privacy - there are hundreds out there! Look on The Guardian and watch a few documentaries on this. You should be able to make plenty of notes. Your case study is vast so you shouldn't struggle for material.
• NekNomination videos and the debates surrounding that - encouraging binge drinking and irresponsible behaviour.
  
  ISAAC
  Youtube
  Content is generated by users however this has caused problems with copyright laws. Youtube is owned by Google so who really benefits from the site’s popularity? Look at 'prosumers'.
  Plenty to say about UGC and the issues that arise from this. Again, look at The Guardian and other newspapers for debates on this. Mashable.com might be helpful too.
• Look at ownership too
• 
  ALICIAThe music industry
  The internet had created ways for musicians to promote themselves and for some it is the reason they gained fame in the first place. Look at ways artists have used digital media to promote themselves.
• The Beyoncé videos you have looked at are great! Can you go into more detail on this? Look at her promotion as a whole and how digital media and web2.0 has changed the way she is able to do this.
• How do artists use instagram/twitter/facebook?
• Clear links to feminism and Marxism here so try to research that carefully.
  
   REBECCA
   Advertising and branding
  A study into how companies use new/digital media in innovative ways to promote brands and products. You could consider how adverts are now tailored to individual users. Is this a form of censorship? Do you see the same version of the internet as everyone else?
  Look at a few different companies and the way they use digital media in innovative ways - try Nike, Adidas, food companies, twitter as a promotional tool, John Lewis (apps etc)
• Compare digital marketing with old print - benefits?
• Google as a search tool - how does that affect what we see? You can also look at Facebook for this.
•  
• 
  JOE
   Mobile Phone Technology and Convergence
  Look at the future of mobile phones – how have we changed the way we use them from just being calling/texting devices. In the future your phone could become your wallet, with new technology which will allow you to use it as a payment card. 
• Study past mobile phones and the changes - what is available now that wasn't before? How can we purchase things with our phones? Are we reliant on mobile technology now? You could look at iphones and android here.
• Does everyone agree that convergence is a good thing? You could discuss icloud and what happens when you lose your phone.
• Look at the ease of sharing information and communication now. Marxism links here too - find out how!
• 
   BECKER
   Apple – the iPod, iPhone and iPad
  This brand has been responsible for many innovative products – they have made technology fashionable, functional and above all something which makes a statement about the owner of the device. You could look at the functions of their most iconic products and how they are changing the way we live.
•  
• Look at original Apple adverts on print and how they might have changed now.
• There are lots of debates surrounding Apple and the way that their products have a certain status ascribed to them. Look around on the internet to see what opinion people may have - Marxism ties in well here!
• Discuss convergence and synergy

 

 

The uses and gratifications of social media

A recent study by Whiting and Williams interviewed a range of social media users and explored what keeps them coming back to social networks.

• Social interaction – social media, not surprisingly, allows people to be social. They meet new people and keep in touch with friends, acquaintances and family.
• Information seeking – this refers to the process of finding information about products/services, keeping up to date with real-world social events, and learning new things.
• Passing time – social media is a great time killer and can cure boredom whether at home, at school, or in the work place.
• Entertainment – games, music and videos are all accessed through social media. Watching the stream of updates from people is also a form of entertainment – whether intentionally humorous or not.
• Relaxation – whilst people find others updates humorous, they also find them relaxing. Social media is a way to alleviate stress and escape from reality.
• Expression of opinions – expressing thoughts and opinions, criticizing others and blowing off steam (either anonymously or named) is regularly undertaken through social media.
• Things to talk about – like the daily newspaper, social media provide subject matter for people to talk and gossip about with others.
• Convenience – social media is readily accessible, even more so as mobile devices become ubiquitous. Furthermore, people can talk to several people at the same time.
• Sharing information – people can use social media to broadcast things about themselves. By publishing updates, videos and pictures, people market their own personal brand or business.
• Knowing about others – social media allows a window into the lives of others. By checking out other profiles, they can be nosey or ‘keep up with the Jones’’

Because we all love John Lewis at Christmas time...

I thought it was only fitting to share this with you as 50% of our class work for John Lewis! Merry Christmas year 13!

New/digital media case studies

Here are the case studies you have chosen:

JACK
The future of the games console
A study into how new technology is affecting gaming and how this impacts on the audiences who buy/play the games. As games become more real and interactive, do we become dangerously involved in their narratives? Audience theories are useful here!

SUSIE
Cyberfeminism
Has the internet helped or hindered feminist causes? Has it not created more opportunities for stalking, objectifying and criticizing women? Or is it used to provide freedom of speech and to promote feminist causes?

KIERAN
The impact of Facebook on our lives
A study into how people use Facebook in positive and potentially negative ways. Could look at Facebook campaigns, scams etc as well as controversies over privacy, control and the power and influence it has as a website. Remember to look at how it makes money and how the adverts we see are tailored to our ‘needs’.

ISAAC
Youtube
Content is generated by users however this has caused problems with copyright laws. Youtube is owned by Google so who really benefits from the site’s popularity? Look at 'prosumers'.

ALICIA
The music industry
The internet had created ways for musicians to promote themselves and for some it is the reason they gained fame in the first place. Look at ways artists have used digital media to promote themselves.

REBECCA
 Advertising and branding
A study into how companies use new/digital media in innovative ways to promote brands and products. You could consider how adverts are now tailored to individual users. Is this a form of censorship? Do you see the same version of the internet as everyone else?

JOE
 Mobile Phone Technology and Convergence
Look at the future of mobile phones – how have we changed the way we use them from just being calling/texting devices. In the future your phone could become your wallet, with new technology which will allow you to use it as a payment card.
BECKER
 Apple – the iPod, iPhone and iPad
This brand has been responsible for many innovative products – they have made technology fashionable, functional and above all something which makes a statement about the owner of the device. You could look at the functions of their most iconic products and how they are changing the way we live.

MEST 3 Hints and tips

For hints and tips on MEST3, follow this link... THIS ONE!

New/Digital Media - Article links

Here are a few article links you may want if they are relevant to your individual case studies. I will continue to update this page so keep checking back!

REDDIT USER AGREEMENT

BEYONCE'S NEW ALBUM AND REVOLUTION IN PR

GOOGLE LETS SOFTWARE DO YOUR SOCIALISING

ANOTHER MEDIA BLOG

BT TO ADD MUSIC SERVICE

STREAMING MUSIC

SPOTIFY FREE TIER

MEST 3 SECTION B WHAT MAKES A GOOD CASE STUDY

SECTION B – WHAT MAKES A GOOD CASE STUDY AND A GOOD EXAM

ANSWER

 

 

WHAT MAKES A GOOD CASE STUDY?

The best case studies include:

 

1. A range of different media products from a range of media platforms

2. Detailed examples from particular media products.

3. Evidence of research into media debates and issues and relevant wider contexts.

4. Theory used to explain and support answers

5. A real interest in the case study chosen, evidenced by engagement with the products and issues and own opinions.

 

HOW TO GET THE BEST MARK YOU CAN

 

1. Having your own individual case study to answer the question.

You shouldn’t all have the same case study. This doesn’t allow you to show evidence of independent study, which excludes you from the higher levels. For example, all writing answers on the representation of youth, with the same or very similar media products, theory, contexts and media debates will limit you. Candidates who have their own case study are more engaged and more willing to focus on the question, rather than repeat a pre learned answer of descriptive points. This will lead to higher marks as it is more independent. The majority of the media products used to support and illustrate your answer should also be individual. You will do a class overview of a topic to introduce it and then you should do your own individual case study with your own choice of media products.

 

2. Answer the particular question that is asked, don’t write ‘everything I know about my case study’. It is best to do a plan before the question is answered.

 

3. Include detailed references to particular media products, rather than just general examples.

For example:

A point explaining that the BBC has adapted to the changes in new and digital media could be illustrated with them reaching a niche audience with BBC3 and some examples of BBC3 programmes and examples from those programmes.

A point explaining how social networking was used to reach audiences in the last election could be illustrated by a particular party or single issue website, with examples from the content of the website.

 

4. Showing range in your answers – platforms, media products

Refer to a wide range of platforms, preferably all three, but at least two.

This can seem more straight forward for some case studies, but even for example in a case study on the vampire genre products could be obviously films and TV programmes, but also teenage girls magazines and fan and official websites.

Refer to a range of different media products to support the answer, not for example just one or two films.

 

5. Having a clear focus.

Answers are better when they have a clear and specific focus.

For example for Representation one social group or one place with detailed examples from particular media products and for New and Digital media one industry and one institution, again with detailed examples from particular media products

 

6. Apply media issues, debates and theories

What does your case study suggest are the current issues in the media?

Apply relevant media theories to your case study and media products, use the theory to answer the question and support the point made, don’t just describe a theory.

 

7. Include relevant wider contexts

Again apply them to the own case study.