Advanced Online Media: What did I finally learn?

  Advanced Online Media was the sequel of Multimedia Journalism. I must admit I have not learn something that I did not know before, but I was stimulated to use more the new media. During the first session we recap the function of basic tools such as blogs, tweeter, google reader and delicious. I now tweet more, and engage my personal blog more than before. I addition, I sign up to tumblr and flickr that I did not use before.

 During, the Video sessions, we recap the basic functions of  Final Cut Pro. I am very happy with the video that I made for the final project. I used just an amateur camera, and I achieved to make my footage look like professional output. I used visual effects, letters and transitions. After, the audio sessions, we recap the functions of audacity and we learnt about audioboo, for which I also set an account. I am interested in a career in Radio Production and dj therefore the experience of sound editing is definitely a skill that I needed to include in my CV.

My two favorite lectures were the one about how to make effective presentations was very useful as I am still not confident with presentations, mostly because I have to express my ideas in a foreign language, and the one about Datajournalism that was something new to me.

 However, there are a lot of things that I would like to learn and I did not such as photoshop. I entered this module, mostly because I love photography and I thought that I will have the opportunity to learn more about photojournalism techniques. Furthermore, I do not feel that I enriched my "blogging techniques". My blog will look exactly the same as an amateur's, and I was expecting that after the end of the course my blog will be more professional in terms of design. Moreover, I would like to leave the class with basic knowledge of coding and Isadora ( The award-winning, real-time media manipulation software to create stunningly interactive visuals, sounds, and environments). Finally, I would like to have a live blogging assessment rather than a second module blog and critical report, telling for the third time what did I do for the two assessments.  

Assessment 2: Critical Report

 As part of the second Online Assessment we had to create an original piece based on new media. We had the option to use audio slides, Google map, video, blogs, photos, podcasts, websites or something completely new.

 My first idea was to create a psychogram of shoes. In other words, I wanted to make a documentary or a slideshow dedicated to shoes and shoes reveal about people's personality. For example, high heels might reveal insecurities or converse might show immaturity. I planned to grab my camera, go out take photos of shoes and then interview people in order to conclude. However, I was scared that this investigation might not have results, therefore I decided that I will do it for my personal blog and not as part of University assignments.

 I decided to do something about my city: Athens. I knew that most of my Easter time, I would be in Greece anyway, therefore I had to engage material from there. I could do something about demonstrations and strikes such as a documentary but I think is cliche and boring. Therefore, I decided to make a promotional material about my city: Athens. This would be useful for tourists, who have planned to visit Greece or for locals who cannot afford to leave Athens during holidays. Moreover, it could attract potential tourists to come to Athens. To make it more fun I decided to create a journey around Athens in 24hours and put it in Google maps. I decided to use my camera, as I almost choose this module in order to have the opportunity to do more things with it.

 I did not have to research a lot for my project. More or less I know everything about my city after being a habitant for 20 years, from history to prices.  I started with 25  destinations, but I narrowed my selections to 10 destinations, including the airport, because I realize that 25 places were too much for 24 hours, and the project would be massive. I tried to indeed do everything, and go everywhere in 24 hours.

 I started from the centre of Athens. I filmed almost all the journey from the airport to the centre, because I intended to put it at the routes of Google map. At the middle of the journey, I ran out of battery so technically I had to interrupt and continue another day. Finally, I continued the trip but without filming.

 Later, in April the weather in Athens became rainy, and I did not have the opportunity to capture some of the outdoor destinations. I had enough photos and videos though to accomplish the assessment. Therefore, I returned to London, where I would finish my project with 430 photos and 30 minutes of footage. I edited 50 to 60 photos, that will consist my final project.

 The initial plan was to throw  everything in Google Maps, which is an extremely useful software, when you want to find a place, but as I discover later, it does not allow you to  be very creative. I realised that the more photos I uploaded in one destination the more useless and difficult my map was. It was extremely difficult to upload photos to google map, because it is not feasible to upload photos from files, but only from the net. Therefore, I had to upload all my photos to a random blog that I do not use anymore, and then linked them in my map.

 Finally, I used the map as an on the go tool and I put most of collection of photos in the module blog as well as my video. I decided to include useful information in the Google Map such as ways of transportation and prices.

 Another problem, that I dealt with is the routes on the Google Map. It is extremely difficult to draw a line from destination to destination on Google Map. I spent three hours struggling to draw the lines between my destinations and put the footage from the trip but it was impossible. Even Reza, our teacher was unable of drawing the line, therefore I did not put routes.

 I underestimated the level of difficulty of Google Map software, therefore I did not achieve the output that I was expecting, and I was slightly late for the deadline.  If I had the chance to redo the project I would try to use adobe flash and create my own map, to embed it in a webpage.

 I also decided to submit part of my assignment in Greece's Official Blog.

I have put this video twice, but I wanted to make sure that it will be seen.

 

Assessment 1: Critical Report

 For the first assessment we were asked to develop an idea for a new online media product, service or strategy. I am extremely interested in politics and due to the havoc in my country Greece I was seeking ways to improve the political system. Therefore, initially I decided to develop an idea about how to combine new media with politics. I wanted to find a way to persuade people instead of demonstrating for the socio-economic situation of the country, get involve with the resolution of the problem.

 I came up with the idea to create an iParliament. Instead of a traditional political party, the govern power will be a network society made from citizens. I was thinking that each citizen could get involve in the project, by using  Identity Documentation number. Each minister will have its own section, the citizens will blog their ideas for the resolution of fiscal issues and the rest of the citizens will vote for the best suggestion. For example, nowadays Greek citizens could blog their suggestions for the resolution of economic crisis in Greece instead of participating to huge demonstrations that cause inconvenience. In addition, the political platform will include forum, so that citizens could discuss socioeconomic issues with experts and other citizens. Finally, the platform will include a poll section, where people will be able to vote about serious state decisions such as the question of Greece's stay in EU. Don't forget that one of the key factors of Obama's success in the elections of 2008 was the use of new media.

 Unfortunately, when I discuss my idea with my teachers they confused me very much and they convinced me that my idea was inappropriate. On the one side, this was a massive project and very difficult to materialize. On the other side, even if I was trying to narrow my idea into one area, i.e one county or one issue i.e economics I had to find a different way- application to materialize it. Therefore, I decided, even in the last minute to abandon my political plan. However, I still do not understand why in reality internet is not exploited for the re establishment of democracy. For example for the elections of 6th May 2012, I was not able to vote for the next government and effectively for my country's future in the EU because I was not in Greece. If I could vote online, I would not be excluded from my privilege to vote.

 I decided to come up with a simpler idea. I discussed with friends and I tried to find a "digital" solution for two main problems: the personal financial management and shopping when there is not enough time.  I was keen to make a social platform about personal economics until I discovered payoff.com, and imoney which was exactly the ideas I had depicted in my mind. Thus, I had to find a smart way to shopping.  I decided to make an application that will enable consumers to watch their favorite series or shows and shop at the same time.  Spectators will watch Tv or online tv spot the product that want to purchase, click on it, check the price and then order it.

 I studied the activities of various fashion outlets such as Assos, Net-a-porter, style-passport or fashion tv. I came up with the conclusion that fashion goods have a stable demand even in periods of recession. There are no fashion retailers that use television as a tool to promote their products.

The problems that confront were, initially that I was unable to design in order to present my application. We have not been trained neither to design tools neither to photoshop, thus even the illustration of the logo was difficult. I manage to find a friend who has studied media design in order to help me with the illustration  of the application i.e how it will look like if it was real.

  Other than that I found difficult to describe something that does not exist and it was reflected on the feedback of my pitch: I did not efficiently sold my idea. The application was marked with a 58% - could be a 60% in my opinion. I am used of my teachers' un-creativity to comment to something other than my english, which is my third language. At least my hand-writting is readable.

Individual Project : 24 Hours in Athens

This is a project that guides its reader to a 24 hour journey that includes all the highlights of Athens. The project explores 10 different destinations: from Acropolis to the beach, and from the traditional Greek Fast Food, souvlaki, in the centre of town to the Fish Taverna by the seaside. The project engages photos, videos, informational text as well as google map http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=205600227922460867899.0004bf9ac03646241d9f2&msa=0&ll=38.526682,23.952942&spn=1.076477,2.488403&iwloc=0004bf9af61e16480633c

Google maps consists the on-the-go edition of the following 24hours - photojourney in Athens.  

"International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos: Welcome to Greece!! " 

Don't forget to put in your luggage sunglasses, bathing suit and hat. Wear your best smile and have Fun!!! 

" Acropolis: the Athenian trademark "

 Greece is the centre of civilization, and Athens the maternal of democracy, drama, philosophy history. You cannot leave Greece without visiting Acropolis, the most famous monument in Athens.

Near acropolis is situated the Erode, ancient theater . 

 

Erechthium 

Parthenon 

Visit the New Museum of Acropolis: http://www.theacropolismuseum.gr/?la=2

A MUST SEE video: 

"Plaka: the neighborhood of Gods" 

 wandering around the alleys 

 the tower of winds 

 the ancient agora 

the Greek Flag 

"Monastiraki- Bairaktari:"

 A gypsy woman sells baloons 

 Street painter 

 Originals satchels form the Monastiraki Market

 Bairaktari: the best place to eat genuine souvlaki

 ...if you find a table 

 souvlaki

 A little friend 

Greek Salad

Hats from the Monastiraki Flea Market

  Monastiraki 

 T-shirts...

and bicycles.

"The Nightlife"

  W nightclub: what happens in W, stays in W...

 hot dancers 

 and more...

 price: 120 euros

 Economic Crisis? 

dancer 

have you ever tried absinthe?

make your poolside dreams come true

 S for Sakis (the greek version of Enrique Inglesias)

drinking, eating and enjoying the music 

 the real bouzoukia 

 throwing flowers 

Advanced Online Media: From Gutenberg to Dorsey and Zuckerberg...

 Journalism, is a profession that has changed radically during the past decade. This is due to the new technology. Even ten years ago, journalism was totally different, than today. In the 90s, being able to write in a creative and eloquent way, being aware of the current affairs and being comfortable in front of a camera were enough for a journalist... Today things have changed! 

 Media Convergence brings together the three Cs: computing, communication and content and it is the tendency for different for different for different technological systems to evolve towards performing similar tasks. As a result, contemporary journalists use instead of a simple notepad and recorder, books and press, an iPad, a Smartphone or their laptop. They engage social media to gather information, and they present a story using many different means: image, sound, visual effects as well as polls and interaction with public. 

 BA Journalism in University of Westminster is a course with a strong academic background. It was recently updated to focus on preparing you for an industry that increasingly demands multimedia and online expertise alongside traditional journalistic skills such as research, reporting and writing. Advanced Online media is a module that aims to built a knowledge and technical skills in online media. During the journey of media convergency, we will be taught between others how to blog, to take advantage of social media and data journalism. 

 The module demands the accomplishment of one presentation about a new media tool as well as a project that combines the exploitation of various media tools.