My First Podcast

Recently, I posted a Podcast on the benefits and limitations involved when using digital media in the primary classroom

When creating this podcast, I wanted to draw on my personal experiences that I had during my placement. I feel this added credibility to my points and made the podcast a more personal and informative experience.

By beginning my podcast with an overarching description of digital media, it gives those who may be confused a brief outline of what is the main focus of the podcast. Here I used David Buckingham’s Youth, Identity, and Digital Media (2008) as I believed he provided a great outline of how digital media is defined and the implications for both society and education. By also giving some examples of what this may look like in the classroom it outlines to the listener the suggestions on the practical representations.

My podcast contained points such as how digital media can allow students to access a wide variety of resources, how being digitally literate is important for the future, the inclusion in the Victorian curriculum and the benefits for teachers.

Then I moved to talk about the limitations involved, such as how confidential school information may be vulnerable to cyber-attacks, the problems when online resources go offline and the changes that teachers along with families must adapt too.

Throughout all these points, I tried to make explicit reference to experiences that I had during placement. I also referred to Sonia Livingstone’s 2011 article ‘Critical reflections on the benefits of ICT in education’ as she raised some great, well informed points surrounding digital media in the classroom.

When using scholarly articles, I paraphrased and used quotes to reaffirm my points.

I decided to include an intro and outro song for my podcast that I found on a website called CC Mixers. I searched ‘jingle’ and was selective when choosing the right one. I wanted it to sound bubbly and happy, setting the tone for the podcast and making listeners intrigued

Creative commons was a site that used when choosing the cover art for the podcast. This depicts a cartoon classroom picture, which I though was relevant to the topic. The cartoon style of the picture makes the podcast seem inviting and frankly I just thought it was cute.

One major challenge I faced is the fact that I had around 8 mins of podcast to cut down. Due to the large topic that I was tackling it was hard to stop myself going off on tangents and into way too much detail. Looking towards next time, I would give myself fewer points to talk about and go into much more detail.

“Characters of a couple sharing and listening to music illustration by Busbus CCO 1.0

I also had trouble downloading the ‘Audacity’ podcast editing software that was recommended. For some reason it would not open on my MacBook, so I had to find an altera method for editing. I found out through some trial and error that I could use iMovie to edit the podcast and just save it as an audio file. This worked really well and provided me with a great end product that I believe was edited well.

In conclusion, I learn the power of podcasts and how much I enjoy recording my own and listening to others. Podcasts are engaging and a great way to convey information and communicate with your audience. I look forward to exploring into the world of podcasts and listening to more in the future.

Word Count = 571 words

Reference List =

Buckingham, D. 2008, Youth, Identity, and Digital Media, The MIT Press, Cambridge, retrieved 23 May 2019, Google Scholar

Livingstone S 2011, ‘Critical reflections on the benefits of ICT in education’, Oxford Review of Education, vol. 38, no. 1, 9 – 24, retrieved 23 May 2019, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03054985.2011.577938

Victorian Curriculum F- 10, 2019, Digital Technologies, Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, retrieved 18 March 2019, http://victoriancurriculum.vcaa.vic.edu.au/science/curriculum/f-10?y=F-2&y=3-4&y=5-6&s=science-understanding&s=science-inquiry-skills&layout=2

Who I am Online – My Online Identity

Online Identityby Marc Pletickx (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Your online identity is something that you can choose, construct and transform into a reflection of who you are as a person. Our online lives live in the balance between our constructed self and our true reality (Smith & Watson, 2014).

In this blog post I am going to outline how I personally choose my profile photos and the evolution on how my online identity has changed over the years through analysis of my Instagram profile. Finally, I will conclude on my goals and wishes for my online presence in the future.

One of the most important things about an online profile on a social media site is your profile photo. A profile photo is the greatest form of self-presentation (Strano, 2008). It is a form of implicant identity construction that allows us to display our personal characteristics through an image.

Firstly, I will talk about my Facebook profile photo. According to Strano (2008) “Facebook profile images constitute a dynamic display context”

An example of one of my Facebook profiles, Copyright @ Myself

Over my 3 years on Facebook I have had 6 profile photos, which averages out to a new one every 6 months. In these photos, I want to look happy and smiling. I also want it to be an accurate representation of myself. Due to Facebook being the site where I am connected to both my friends and family, I want my profile to project classiness and be family friendly.

The bright and colourful flowers contrast my black and white outfit and I am smiling whilst look very happy, making me seem inviting and friendly. In this photo I used digital enhancing techniques to make the flowers brighter, smooth my skin and whiten my teeth. I tried to emphasise my positive features and diminish some of my flaws so that when people visited my page, I could put my best self forward.

A picture of my twitter profile photo, Copyright @ Myself

My twitter profile echoes this sense of putting the images where I believe my positive attributes are highlighted. I want my profile to be more refined and professional, along with being family friendly like my Facebook. As this is a professional page that future employers may access, I want my profile photo to both highlight both my fun personality along with my professional nature.

By using a photo that was taken before I went on my primary school placement, I am wearing appropriate clothes and also have my Deakin lanyard and name badge off. The professional nature of this twitter page is also highlighted in my bio where I show that I am a 2^ndyear primary education student and is also reflected in the people I follow. These accounts include the CSIRO, Deakin University and ABC education.

Some of my tweets also reflect this, including this tweet which includes a mind map about using twitter effectively for my ALM101 class.

Research has shown that self-presentation differs depending on the environment (Strano, 2008) and this can be seen in my use of another platforming site, Instagram. Instagram to me is a more relaxed form of social media. I am more active and personal on this site than I am on other platforms. I construct my online identity here as somebody who is trendy and vibrant, giving me the ability to explore a different part of my identity (Thomas, 2007)

Here my main focus is about making sure all the friends and people that follow me witness me looking my best. I also post more explicit and intimate pictures of my life, such as travel photos or photos from a night out. I believe that this forms an atmosphere where I am “constantly and narcissistically performing …… for an imagined audience” (Hills, 2009, p. 119).

A progress history of my Instagram posts, Copyright @ Myself

My online presence here has changed quite a bit from when I first got Instagram in 2012. Back then, I was not selective in which photos I posted as I am now and would haphazardly postanything. Now I predominantly post photos of me, rarely posting the scenery around me or pictures with friends. Through deleting old embarrassing posts, I have been able to alter and transform my online identity (Thomas, 2007). I have also tweeted to highlight how my online identity has changed over the years and to bring focus on how you can change your online perception

I have a growing fascination with my online identity. I wish to not focus on the likes I get or how much positive feedback I receive, but rather post things that I am proud of and wish to share with my online community. It is also important that I think of my online identity as a ‘digital tattoo’ as once something is posted it is online forever (Braun, 2016)

Another key area that I wish to work on my online connectedness with those in both my ALM101 community and also the education community. I have tweeted about this goal in the past and wish to really work on this in the future and I hope by making this blog post we can start a conversation in the comments.

As always, I leave you with a quote….

“Identity will be the most valuable commodity for citizens in the future, ad it will exist primarily online”
Eric Schmidt – Google Chairman

Word Count = 812 words

Reference List:

Braun, L, 2016, ‘Who am I ? : Social Media and Identity’, Braun Bytes Reflection of a Pedagogue, weblog post, 13^thMarch, https://braunbytes.wordpress.com/2016/03/13/who-am-i-social-media-and-identity/, retrieved 12 April 2019

Hills, M 2009, ‘Case study: social networking and self-identity’, in Creeber, G and Martin, R (eds.), Digital Cultures: Understanding New Media, Open University Press, Maidenhead, pp. 117-21, retrieved 13th April 2019

Smith, S and Watson, J 2014, ‘Virtually Me: A Toolbox about Online Self-Presentation’, in Poletti, A and Rak, J, Identity Technologies: Constructing the Self Online, The University of Wisconsin Press, Madison, pp. 70-95, retrieved 10 April 2019

Strano, M 2008, User Descriptions and Interpretations of Self-Presentation through Facebook Profile Images. Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, vol. 2, no. 2, article 5, https://cyberpsychology.eu/article/view/4212, retrieved 12 April 2019

Thomas, A 2007,Youth Online: Identity and Literacy in the Digital Age, vol. 2 Peter Lang, Google Scholar, retrieved 12 of April 2019

So I went to a live taping of a show and this is what happened.

A couple weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend a live taping of a show called ‘Talkin’ ‘Bout your Generation”. Now this has been a long time favourite show of mine and so you can imagine that I was beyond excited when I was able to get tickets to be in the audience. First I’ll give a little background about this amazing show.

Shaun Micallef with the old hosts and logo
Credit @ Channel 10, 2010

Talkin’ ‘Bout your Generation originally aired in 2009 and continued to run until 2012 when Channel 10 decided to shelf it. It stared Shaun Micallef as the host of the show and 3 different generations each with their own team leaders. There was the Baby Boomers led by Amanda Keller, Generation X led by Charlie Pickering and Generation Y led by Josh Thomas. Each episode the generations were joined by a famous guest who was apart of their respective generation. The hour long game show was centred around each generation answering pop culture questions and winning points in-order to determine the best generation of all time. It included short games that involved buzzing in and a ‘end game’ that challenged each generation at various tasks such as building a go kart or erecting a statue. This ‘end game’ holds a varying number of points each week so that any generation can win. The winner of the ‘end game’ is the winner of the episode and wins a stupid prize such as old trophy’s that have been viewer submitted.

The new look including the new hosts
Credit @ Channel 9, 2018

Recently in 2018 Channel 9 decided to pick the show back up with new generations, a new studio design but still have Shaun as the host. This reboot decided to exclude the baby boomers and focus on Generations X,Y & Z. The hosts of the generations was also new, now having Robyn Butler for Gen X, Andy Lee for Gen Y and Laurence Boxhill for Gen Z.

The brilliance of the show comes from the improv and sporadic nature of the show. Yes points are awarded based on correct answers, but can be taken away as Shauns digression. The show welcomes the actors to be creative, funny and add their own stories or experiment into the mix, creating a dynamic that is unparalleled in any of the game shows on air today. Shaun is a fantastic host and adds to much of the magic that they show has. His natural charm and charisma work well in this gameshow setting and I truly believe that the show would not have been successful without him. Maybe I’m just a massive fangirl and that’s why I feel like that. Either way it was amazing to see him do his thing up close and personal rather than through the TV screen

The show is shot at Docklands Studio Melbourne. I decided to take my friend Victoria to the taping as she is also a massive fan of the show. When we arrived there were some signs showing up to go a line up outside of a building. Although we were around 30 minuets early, the line was still pretty long. After waiting for around 20 minutes, the line started to move as we filled inside.

Photo Credit @ Myself, Victoria and I with a Gold Logie (Victorias consent to post this photo was obtained)

After our tickets were scanned we found ourselves inside a large room with chair that had a crowd of around 100 people.

There were around 3 TV attached to various walls playing old episodes of the show and in the corner was a photo station that had a giant Gold Logie replica. Whilst we were waiting, Victoria and I decided to take a photo with the Logie for fun.

After around 10 minutes of waiting, a man called Michael led us in an explanation of what was about to happen. He talked about some safety and that we were NOT allowed to film or take pictures whilst we were in there. This made sense as they don’t want spoilers about the episode to get out. Then he led us through the hallway and into the main filming area. This was really cool too see, we were able to see the full set and also all the cameras and lights that they had. The light technician said that they had 114 total lights! I can’t imagine how bright it would be.

Once we were seated Michael went over the basic premise of the show and did a couple of audience warm ups. He was super fun and it was interesting to see how he hyped up the crowd. For example he asked us if anybody had travelled far to see the show and one woman said Chicago. Throughout the night he would constantly go back to this girl and make jokes (all of a light hearted nature). It made us as the audience super comfortable and also made the transitions between games interesting rather than boring. He even did some magic tricks to entertain us whilst the ‘end game’ was being set up

Michael then explained to us that we had to be the soundtrack of the show. At certain points we would have to cheer or clap or count down depending on what happened. Sometimes he would prompt us like when the guests were being announced or after a team won a point, but most importantly he wanted us to have fun. By letting us laugh and react organically it gives more authenticity to the show. I can definitely say I laughed out loud multiple times.

Before the taping began, Shaun and Andy came up to the audience and answered fan questions. This was an awesome opportunity to get up close and personal with TV personalities that I have watched and admired over the years

Once the taping did begin it was fun to watch and laugh along. When they film, they have over 3 hours worth footage for a 1 hour show, so us as the audience got an extended addition of the show.

Although it did take 3 + hours until we were done and was a bit boring at times, it was such an amazing experience. Not only did I get to see a live taping of a show and see all the intricacies of the camera, light and prop work, it showed to me all the unseen work that goes into producing a show. So I highly recommend going to a live taping, usually they are free and it is such a fantastic experience that I cannot recommend enough.

Sorry for the long post but I hope you have enjoyed reading about my experiences! I will leave you with a Shaun Micallef quote and until next time…..

Remember, a dog is not just for Christmas. It can also be for a birthday. In fact, you can eat them all year round.
Shaun Micallef

My Blogging Journey Begins…..

Today is the start of my blog! Welcome to my first official blog post ever… This might get messy 😂

I created this WordPress account as apart of my ALM101 Making Social Media class, but you never know where this could go.

Its probably about time I introduced myself yes? Well you don’t get a choice considering that was a rhetorical question. You chose to read this and are currently still reading. Sorry I don’t make the rules.

My name is Kate and I am a second year Primary Education student at Deakin University. I am 19 years old (or years young if you want to think about it that way), live in Ashburton, am an only child and have 2 cats as pets.

My parents are both awesome. My mother works as a health information manager and is the best woman I know. She is my best friend I would be lost without her. My dad is a maintenance man at an elderly person home. Although he may not be book smart, there is nothing that my dad cannot fix. He is my protector and the best dad a girl could ask for

One of my cats is called Maxi, he is 14 years old and my baby boy. He loves to snuggle me in bed and steal my spot on when I eventually get up to pee. One thing he does is follow us down the driveway when we arrive home and meow incessantly as if we cannot hear him at all. Its always nice to arrive home to his cute little face and him walking side by side as I walk down the drivewayWe got him from the RSPCA when he was only a small kitten, and he was the first cat out of all that were in the massive cage to come to us. Some may say it was fate that he chose us, or maybe he was just trying to escape and we were a roadblock along the way. Either way you think of it, I glad Maxi was my first offical pet and although he is a grumpy old man I love him to bits.

My other cat is called Amelia, but we all call her Millie for short. She has the cutest face and little ‘racing stripes’ going up the top of her forehead. I got her as a birthday present for my 11th birthday and she is 8 years old. When we picked her up from the vets, she was very timid and quiet but she seems sweet. Taking her home we soon realised that she was nervous and skittish. She’s very crazy and is such a sensitive cat, but we love her all the same.

Currently I work 2 jobs, but not for too much longer. I work at Bakers Delight and have worked there for 4 years as of March 2019. Although I have both loved and hated my time there, it was time for a new challenge. As of January I got the opportunity to have a job interview with a company called Tashacare. They provide personal carers for people who have disabilities, both intellectual and physical. Luckily enough I was successful and have been working with them ever since February of 2019. I also coach a team of under 17/s in Netball, which I do free of charge. Mainly because I like spending time with the girls and I feel as it helps my interpersonal skills

Some of my hobbies and interests include shopping, watching horrible reality TV shows (which I think I like because it makes me feel like a better person), spending time with friends and family, playing netball, playing piano and singing (not very good but oh well) going to the football, travelling anywhere I can and drinking copious amounts of caffeine.

I hope you have enjoyed reading just a little bit about me! I look forward to writing more blog posts in the future. On that note I will leave you with one of my favourite quotes. Vaarwel for now!

Change is the only thing constant in life
Heraclitus of Ephesus