Media


 * Media**

flat = Description =

Many media formats are available to designers of learning materials (for elearning, classroom learning, or any stage on the continuum). The challenge is to select the media type that most effectively presents the learning material in order to achieve intended learning outcomes. Not all media is created equal, and certain formats are more effective for certain tasks.

In 1964, educator and scholar, Marshall McLuhan, coined the phrase that “the medium is the message.” Basically, in selecting an appropriate type of media / medium, or technology for that sake, a person needs to consider what aesthetic, emotional, intellectual, or other human senses need to be conveyed and evoked. Madison Ave. Ad Executives were very cognizant of recognizing how commercial messages should perceived based on how they were conveyed [sic sold] to the general public, whether by print, radio, or TV. Therefore, it is not only important to be critical of the content being conveyed, but the manner in which it is being presented.

= Purpose =

The purpose of adding media formats to instruction is to extend the learning experience beyond the mere text, enhancing and enriching the mental and physical experience, and aiding in retention. It allows for auditory and visual processing of information. Multimedia also has the potential to provide interaction that simulates real-life scenarios, which cements the learning. After all, media in a normal sense can be defined as any medium which keeps you informed.

= Features =

There are five types of media: print & text, still graphics & static displays, sound & music, video & animation, and multimedia according to Patrick Fahy in his 2004 article titled, “//Media Characteristics and Online Learning Technology//”. A few examples are:

- Examples: Textbooks, handouts, magazines, research articles, websites, etc.
 * Print and Text**

- Examples: Infographics (Piktochart), charts, data charts, Images, comic clip art, etc.
 * Still Graphic and Static Displays**

- Examples: MP3 songs, Podcasts, Radio Broadcasts, Instrumental audio clips, sounds effects, etc.
 * Sound and Music**

- Examples: YouTube, EdPuzzle, Discovery Education, GoAnimate, Animoto, etc.
 * Video and Animation**


 * Multimedia**
 * -** Examples: Prezi, PPT, Emaze, Google Slides, VoiceThread, etc.

Media conveys messages to the audience. Successful media makes an impression and causes the message to stick. Poor media causes the message to be lost before delivered.

**Media Formats:**
 * Video - digital (CD, DVD), VHS, streaming
 * Audio - MP3's, cassettes, CD's
 * Text - webpages, text books, handouts
 * Visuals - pictures, diagrams, simple animations
 * Live/F2F - classroom, synchronous online
 * Software - simulations, complex interactive animations
 * Collaborative - shared digital spaces
 * Integrated - Using combinations (possibly in a single interface)

= Strengths =

There are seven design principles that create strong media: 8. "Rule of Thirds" = Weaknesses =
 * 1) Unity (nothing random)
 * 2) Gestalt (whole is greater than a part)
 * 3) Space (blank space is priceless)
 * 4) Color & Font (emphasize importance)
 * 5) Dominance (clear focal point)
 * 6) Hierarchy (a continuum of what is most important to least important on the page, begins with dominance)
 * 7) Balance (individual elements are secondary to the overall design); three types
 * Symmetrical
 * Asymmetrical
 * Mosaic

The common mistakes of media designers:
 * 1) Not considering the impact of visual design- Everything conveys a message, whether you intend it or not.
 * 2) Lack of unity- People should recognize where things will be on the screen and where to look for new information.
 * 3) Graphics don't match- Graphics should look like they belong on the screen together. They should not just be decorations.
 * 4) Confusing use of contrast- People are drawn to contrast, but unintentional contrast can distract the viewer.
 * 5) Misuse of fonts- Fonts serve certain purposes. Designers need to keep their purpose in mind when using different fonts for text.
 * 6) Misue of color--limit use of color choices to just a few; remembering that dark type is noticed first

Too much media, or media that does not work to make sense of the learning, could result in learner frustration. In fact, research seems to indicate that text-only presentations are as effective and more efficient for the learner and more cost efficient than presentations with audio and/or video added. There are exceptions to this in cases in which the video and/or audio are essential to develop the concepts. = Considerations =

COPYRIGHT ISSUES

Nancy Adams, the University's librarian and Dean of Student Services, gave our class an overview of the issues surrounding copyrighted media. [|Creative Commons] gives artists a way to share their work free of charge with others, (who don't intend to use it to make profit,) through a variety of licenses, and lets us easily identify that we can reuse media we find on the Internet legally. To learn about the different types of licenses, check out the CC website, in the [|License Your Work] section.

The Flickr website lists four different types of CC licenses: attribution, noncommercial, no derivative works, and share alike, and describes them [|here].

When you are searching for images on Flickr, if you use [|Advanced Search], you can specify if you want to find only content with a Creative Commons license:

To learn more about creative commons, see video below: media type="youtube" key="2BESbnMJg9M" height="344" width="425"

The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education

 * American University School of Communication Center for Social Media ** has developed [|The Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education]. The code includes five principles intended to guide educators when interpreting the copyright doctrine of fair use. According to its website, the principles are based on current consensus of fair use for K-12 and higher education as well as not-for-profit organizations when offering educational programs to the community.

 Each principle is addressed in detail and includes descriptions and examples of how each can be applied. The limitations of each principle are also discussed.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> The fair use of copyrighted material by educators is addressed in these principles: · <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Teaching media literacy · <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Preparing curriculum materials · <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Sharing media literacy curriculum material

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;"> The fair use of copyrighted material by students is addressed in these principles: · <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Preparing academic and creative work · <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Sharing their work with others when it has transformative value

= Leading Tools =

There are different leading tools for each of the five types of media. There are also a variety of tools available for media content creators to share their productions on websites that aren't generally blocked in schools.

Examples: [|Picasa] [|KodakEasyShare] SumoPaint PicMonkey
 * Print & Text - [|Word], [|Pages], [|Pagemaker], [|Indesign]
 * Still Graphics/Static Displays - [|Flickr], [|Power Point], [|Keynote], [|Photoshop], [|Illustrator], [|Microsoft Expression]
 * Sound & Music - Audition, [|Audacity], [|Garageband], [|Pro Tools], [|Final Cut] Jamendo Imcompetech
 * Video & Animation - Premiere Pro, [|FlipShare], [|Final Cut], [|Lightwave] [|Discovery Education (United Streaming)] Powtoon
 * Multimedia - [|Photo Story], [|Flash], [|Movie Maker] [|realplayer] iMovie
 * Sharing & Distribution Tools - TeacherTube, SchoolTube , SVN-TV , SVN Student Filmmaking , YouTube for Schools Edpuzzle

= Open Source Options =

There are a variety of free open source options available for each of the five types of media. In addition, there are training resources available for instructors and students.

Examples:
 * Print & Text - [|OpenOffice], Google Docs
 * Still Graphics/Static Displays - Flickr (some images), [|Avimator], [|Blender], [|Pixie], [|MeshLab], [|Comix], [|**GIMP**], [|Paint.NET]
 * Sound & Music - Free Stock Music, [|Audacity], [|Ogg], [|Musepack], [|RiffWorks], [|WaveSurfer], [|PeerCast], [|AudioCapture] (for education/non commercial use), [|Wink]
 * Video & Animation - [|VirtualDub], [|DVD Flick], CamStudio
 * Multimedia - [|VLC Media Player], [|iPodder], [|iTunes] [|VLCplayer]
 * Training Resources - CyberCollege, Media College , School Video News