Media Literacy and Technology in School

Media Literacy and Technology in School

Lynnea Bruce

March 16, 2018

It has been long debated weather or not media literacy and technology should be used in the classroom or for learning purposes. We are learning all the time, not only in a classroom but also interacting with other people and from media content through our technology. 

In Converging Media: A New Introduction to Mass Communication, John Pavlick write that, “In school, we learn to read, write and do arithmetic. We learn about history, other cultures, literature, science, and politics. We learn athletic skills and teamwork we can even learn about art, mechanics, computer programming and cooking. But we also learn much from our daily and extensive interactions with media content— some may even argue that we learn more of our practical value from daily exposure to media than to class content during a typical school day.” 

Yes, technology can be a distraction but there are so many benefits from it when used productively. When children are young, typically adults are monitoring their technology use, especially in learning environments. This helps them stay on track and keeps the child from using their technology in a distracting way. By the time phones and laptops are allowed in class, the users are old enough to decide themselves how to use it. Quite often these students would be in college, in which case they are paying money for their classes and it is their choice to distract themselves or to use their technology to enhance their learning. A lot of topics discussed in class that I now take in college, were never taught to me during school. Most of the information I now know, I learned through social media and media literacy.  

Our world is full of technology, we need to know how to use it. Teachers have recognized this need and have started teaching media literacy skills to students as young as kindergarten and continuing through high school graduation. Combining technology and eduction can be extremely beneficial, especially in this time where students quite often can’t focus without technology. All that being said, it depends on the students individual learning style, their age and how well they are able to monitor and control their own technology usage. Regardless of the choice to use technology inside the classroom or not, media literacy is an import part of our world today and is essential for success in many aspects of life.     

Pavlik, J. & McIntosh, S. (2017). Converging media: A new introduction to mass communication. 5th edition. New York: Oxford University Press

Bike Lanes In Victoria

Cyclists put themselves in danger every time they get on the road. The debate about bike lanes and cyclists in Victoria is on going. Not only can biking on the roads be dangerous for cyclists but also those in cars. 

“Adding in all the costs of phase one, including the completed Pandora Avenue bike lanes and the Fort Street section under construction, the total cost is expected to be about $14.4 million dollars nearly double the amount originally set aside.” Says April Lawrence from Check News. 

If this project is going to cost the city so much, why not come up with a better solution. Perhaps overhead passes or barricaded bike lanes, although more expensive, could be a safer plan of action when trying to make the city, bike friendly. 

The city says like them or not, all 5.4 kilometres of downtown protected bike lanes will be finished by early 2019.

How much will the $14.4 million dollars really be improving biking conditions here in Victoria?  

Although it seems this is already happening, maybe eventually there will be a better solution to keep all road users happy and safe.

https://www.cheknews.ca/victorias-protected-bike-lanes-will-cost-twice-amount-originally-set-aside-395698/

Free Tuition

Free Tuition

Lynnea Bruce

February 17th, 2018

For many people, post secondary education is not an option. Even if college or university is a possibility, it’s likely that student loans will be a mandatory part of the process. The average Canadian students debt is estimated to be in the mid to hight $20,000 range. In a BMO survey students said they predicted that they would owe close to $26,300 after graduation. (Sagan, A. 2014) Those debts not only cause financial stress but they prohibit people from getting on with their lives after graduation. Many students don’t understand the consequences of having student loans and the long term effects. Quite often graduates have a hard time finding permanent or long term jobs. That makes it very difficult to pay back those loans especially while trying to keep up with other bills and responsibilities. 

“In January 2014, the youth unemployment rate in the country was 13.9 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. In 2013, young people in the Atlantic provinces and Ontario had the highest unemployment rates, according to a report released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.” (Sagan. 2014) In January of 2014, according to Statistics Canada, the youth unemployment rate in the country was 13.9 per cent. (Sagan. 2014)

In 2014 Barak Obama announced his $60 billion community college initiative to provide two years of community college for free, to anyone willing to work for it. The White House believes that they could help over 9 million students with this initiative (Dash, S. 2015) Free tuition could be a very good thing when met with certain conditions. In Obama’s free tuition plan requirements would be put in place. Requirements such as, they must be enrolled at least half time, must maintain a 2.5 GPA, must make steady progress to completing their studies and they cannot have an adjusted gross income above $200,000. (Sagan. 2014)

I feel that those conditions should be taken a step further. As unfortunate as it is, money is a powerful motivator. People generally care more when money is at stake. My concern would be that, if students were not paying for their education, they just wouldn’t care as much. Would student still show up for classes or would they feel it unnecessary because they didn’t have a financial commitment to the program. I believe the best condition that could be put into place would be, to have students pay for their schooling upfront with the promise of being refunded on their completion date.

Free tuition would make education a possibility for so many more people. The more educated our society is, the brighter our future will be. 

Dash, S. (March 4, 2015) A guide to Obama’s free community college plan. Retrieved on February 15th, 2018 from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/stephen-dash/a-guide-to-obamas-free-co_b_6801726.html

Sagan, A. (March 11, 2014) Average student debt difficult to pay off, delays life milestones. Retrieved on February 17th, 2018 from http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/average-student-debt-difficult-to-pay-off-delays-life-milestones-1.2534974

Camosun's Public Relations

Camosun’s Public Relations

Lynnea Bruce

January 22, 2018

I don’t believe I have ever seen Camosun advertised in newspapers, radio or on television. That being said, I pay very little attention to those forms of media. I remember watching the news before dinner with my dad when I was younger but as I got older, I found my news sources elsewhere. For the most part, anything I am going to be interested in will make its way onto my Facebook page or I’ll hear about it from someone else. If I know a special story or person is going to be featured on TV, the radio or in the newspaper, I’ll make a special point of looking for it.

Thinking about the population of Camosun College, I think a lot of students would have a similar story and opinion as I do. The majority of students at Camosun are fairly local. We knew about the school because it’s close to home, not because we saw it on TV or on the radio. I don’t feel that Camosun would change very much based on a greater or lesser public relations presence. I do however, feel that creating a stronger public relations presence would entice more students to attend here if they felt Camosun was an exciting and inviting school, from what they saw in the media.     

Tweeting Exercise

CMNS 165

Tweeting Exercise – Lynnea Bruce

 

In 240 characters or less, write three Tweets for each of the following situations:

 

The layoffs described in the December news conference exercise at the National Widget Company.

1.       Due to an increase of widget production, layoffs were made today for 200 employees.

2.       President Andrew Bryce, is convinced we will rehire our employees in the near future.

3.        The National Widget Company is saddened by the layoffs being made today.  

 

The rehiring at the National Widget Company described earlier in the term.

1.       GOOD NEWS! Today we rehire our employees.

2.       Welcome back to our 200 employees. It’s rehiring day!

3.       After seven months, we are pleased to announce that we are rehiring.  

 

An expansion at the National Widget Company. They are adding a manufacturing facility in Regina, Saskatchewan which will add another 100 employees to the company. They need it because the Chinese market has been such a success that they need the extra capacity.

1.       We’re expanding! 100 new employees are joining our company at our new manufacturing facility in Regina, Saskatchewan.

2.       President, Andrew Bryce is excited to announce the expansion of The National Widget Company in Regina, Saskatchewan.

3.       The Chinese market has created a new demand for widgets. The National Widget Company is responding by opening a new facility and creating more jobs!

News Relsease Assignment

NWC

NEWS RELEASE

January 15^th, 2018 12:00pm

 

National Widget Company Rehiring

 

The National Widget Company is rehiring the 200 employees, previously laid off in June of 2017. Of the 200 employees nation wide, 50 of them will be returning to work at the head office and main plant in Victoria, British Columbia.

National Widget Company President, Andrew Bryce says, “The increase in sales has been unprecedented. We think this opportunity opens up enormous markets which will last for years.”

The NWC has found new markets in China, branching away from traditional markets in the Middle East and allowing the rehiring to become possible. There is a need for widget installation in every new building in China. The NWC was the first company to approach China to make a deal. Incorporating widgets into residential construction opens up many for opportunities in widget sales expanding from the traditional use in the oil business.

“The opening up of the Chinese residential market represents opportunity and a secure market on which to expand our capacity.” Says Bryce, “We have sent recall notices to all employees who were laid off in June. As a family-owned company, it was heartbreaking to lay off so many loyal people so we are thrilled to be offering employment to people we consider part of the family.” “We have sent recall notices to all employees who were laid off in June. As a family-owned company, it was heartbreaking to lay off so many loyal people so we are thrilled to be offering employment to people we consider part of the family.”

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For more information, Contact Lynnea Bruce at 250 123 4567