Mediasnackers | Report | September 2006

Filed by DK on September 23 2006 | READ IT »

MediaSnackers Training Launched

[SUMMARY—MediaSnackers is now offering training!]

(UK/WORLD) MediaSnackers training is for young people and youth professionals alike and focusses on new media/technology.

Built on the three principals to enrich, to inspire and to enable, the training is insightful, impactive, intense, interactive and immersive.

This two day course is for youth professionals like yourself who recognise that knowing and understanding youth trends and new media/technology is crucial for your professional development and more importantly, in developing and delivering youth services.

MediaSnackers also offers a one day course for young people who are looking to have an effective voice online through blogging and podcasting (with options for vodcasting: video-blogging)—featuring the different platforms available and focusing on giving young people the skills and confidence needed to become bloggers and podcasters in just one day.

Check out the quotes on 'training' section from our previous courses or for more information download this PDF (350k).

MediaSnack-snack-snackers#3

[SUMMARY—They're all at it, again.]

(WORLD) MediaSnackers are being served more and more ways to snack on their chosen media than ever. It's hard to differentiate between companies and start-ups enabling snacking or the snacking trends driving media platform development, but here are a couple of quotes from the 'experts' to sum it all up for any 'MediaSnacker-virgins':

Digital technology offers countless new opportunities for communication and will wash away the foundations of the existing system of regulation. The signs of change are already manifest: shrinking audiences for traditional channels; the emergence of new platforms; converging technologies; the weakening of existing models for commercial funding. And the pace of change can only accelerate.
Michael Grade, BBC Chairman writing for the Guardian.

I believe that mobile could be one of the greatest media platforms ever created. It could rival television, the Internet and literally anything.
Peter Chernin, the president and chief operating officer of News Corp Inc. in a keynote speech at the CTIA Wireless Association conference.

No one is looking out, in a systematic way, for the cumulative impact of today's newer electronic media on our children. The questions about the effects—positive or negative—of media on our children's health, education and development are too important to go unasked and unanswered.
Senator Lieberman, supporting the passing of a bill which examine the effects of screen media on the cognitive development of children.

MediaSnack-snack-snackers#1 & 2.

The World Has Changed…#11

[SUMMARY—Embracing the changing nature of the world.]

(WORLD) More evidence that the world is changing for MediaSnackers everywhere from these recent articles:

• when $1.5 billion gets you a social-newtworking site;
• studies show there is a growing issue of access to digital technology between white and minority students;
• more research shows teens who play online games improve their people skills;
• whilst experts argue that a modern life of junk food and 'screen-time' is causing depression amongst youth;
• and then the big broadcasters announce they are going mobile with their content.

Related posts: The World Has Changed#1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

Lonelygirl15

[SUMMARY—Is it wrong to put on a show?]

(WORLD) Created by three friends (all under 30) who met at a party, Lonelygirl15 became an internet hit by using a popular video platform and a scenario in which most internet users identify with.

If you haven't a clue what I'm on about then get the whole story here, but for the past couple of weeks, the blogosphere and even mainstream media has been awash with debates and counter-debates about not only the validity of 'Bree', but after it was announced it was a hoax, the morals behind such a 'scam'.

What were the tools used to create this sensation:

Two desk lamps (one broken), an open window and a $130 camera.

When have young people ever had the means to reach so many with so little?

Filed by DK on September 12 2006 | READ IT »

MediaSnackers Films#3—Durham Youth Professionals Training 2006

[SUMMARY—Training for youth professionals in web 2.0 and new media/technology.]

(UK/WORLD) 2 days, 13 youth professionals, 4 weblogs, and several podcasts…

Rarely when you take part in training are you challenged, have fun, take part in stimulating conversations with peers and experience something totally new and different. This is exactly what the MediaSnackers training delivered.
Kirsty Beeston, Regional Participation Officer

Get more details about our MediaSnackers training.

MediaSnackers Training

[SUMMARY—Our new thing!]

(UK) The new 'training' section on the MediaSnackers website illustrates our new service (there's already a lovely quote regarding the weblog and podcasting youth training MediaSnackers developed and delivered).

We're also set to launch a similar programme for youth proffessionals and today, MediaSnackers is off to Durham to deliver a two day training course for the North East Regional Youth Work Unit. Fourteen youth professionals from a variety of organisations will be 'enriched, inspired and enabled' through an interactive and participatory course focussing on youth media and technology, plus highlighting exisiting platforms and avenues to make their work lives easier.

Will obviously post an update when the training is completed and I'm sure there will be another film from it ;-)

If you're interested in setting up a similar course or need some training for young people then contact me here.

MediaSnackers training

The End Of TV

[SUMMARY—From one young persons perspective.]

(UK/WORLD) With new technology such as YouTube and Google Video,I'm starting to think whether it's the beginning of the end for television and VHS.

As a teenager with nothing better this summer than to sleep until 2 in the afternoon, I've spent the last few weeks reliving my childhood, watching old Pokemon episodes (Japanese anime featuring small creatures who fight against each other), instead of scrambling to Blockbuster or watching jittery old videos, it's right at my fingertips! All seasons in order on YouTube!

MediaSnackers Podcast#42

[SUMMARY—The 42nd MediaSnackers podcast travels to Vermont and speaks to a media education consultant.]

(WORLD) The MediaSnackers podcast focusses on individuals, organisations or companies who are simply impressing us and which are crying out for more discussion.

Rob Williams is many things as well as a media education consultant. Here he talks about Action Coalition for Media Education (ACME) and many other things relating to media.

0.00—0.10 Intro
0.10—0.43 Rob discusses his many roles
0.44—1.50 overview of ACME
1.51—3.36 exploring the 'media crisis' cited on the ACME site
3.37—4.33 MySpace example
4.34—5.51 trends in the new media world
5.52—8.00 DOPA discussions/censorship
8.01—10.00 flavour of the forthcoming Media Summit
10.01—10.26 Thanks and outro

Want to suggest someone or put your virtual hand-up to be interviewed? Then get in touch here or send me an audio message by clicking the icon opposite.

Subscribe directly to these podcasts through iTunes by clicking on this icon.

Haven't got iTunes (you can download it for free here)? Well, just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.

Bebo Babies

[SUMMARY—Learning from your 10 year old sister.]

(UK) I would like to draw your attention to a conversation I had with a 10-year-old girl. Before you start raising eyebrows, this little girl is my youngest sister. Her name is Salonee and she asked me, 'Shankar, are you on Bebo?'. I thought to myself briefly before I thought, 'aww bless, she wants to play some alien game, where I am on the planet Bebo!', butreplied, 'What is Bebo?'—she laughed at me, that laugh that can only be assisted by a point, you know, one of those over exaggerated laughs just to prove that I am wrong or to make me look foolish. 'Haha, Shankar, you are stupid! Everyone is on Bebo.'

Hold on, did she just say, 'everyone is on Bebo'? I was shocked. A ten-year-old girl and she is already making drug references and even using synonyms that I haven't even heard of and I am 11 years her senior. She ran away, her voice trailing behind her, 'ha ha, you don't know what bebo is, you don't know wh…'. Frustrated at the lack of knowledge, I asked around a found out that Bebo is a Myspace equivalent. An opportunity for young Internet users to post details of themselves, add friends and ultimately create their own web page without the formalities of using html.

MediaSnackers Podcast#41

[SUMMARY—The 41st MediaSnackers podcast features a community based media-education centre.]

(WORLD) The MediaSnackers podcast focusses on individuals, organisations or companies who are simply impressing us and which are crying out for more discussion.

Michael Hay is the Youth Programmes manager for Phillips Community Television in Minneapolis, USA.

0.00—0.10 Intro
0.10—1.48 Michael discusses his role for Phillips Community Television
1.49—2.46 the community the project is based in
2.47—5.39 highlighting a specific project
5.40—7.44 digital literacy perceptions
7.45—10.00 different media organisations partnerships
10.01—10.26 Thanks and outro

Want to suggest someone or put your virtual hand-up to be interviewed? Then get in touch here or send me an audio message by clicking the icon opposite.

Subscribe directly to these podcasts through iTunes by clicking on this icon.

Haven't got iTunes (you can download it for free here)? Well, just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.

Filed by DK on September 8 2006 | READ IT »

MediaSnackers Interview#4

[SUMMARY—A focus on a truly amazing initiative called Invisible Children.]

(US/UGA/WORLD) I've been waiting on a response from Invisible Children after one of the founders, Laren Poole, agreed to do an email interview. Unfortunately, Laren is still in Uganda doing good but fortunately for us, Travis Russell stepped up to the plate to take on the questions:

Between The Lines

[SUMMARY—Blogging behind bars.]

(US) Check out this weblog, written by a group of 12 to 18 year olds all serving some time in Loysville Youth Development Center (LYDC), a juvenile correctional facility in Pennsylvania, USA.

Overseen by a visiting teacher and fellow youth professional whom I just spoke to on Skype. Every few days, the young people are posed questions and their responses are posted on this blog.

Here are a couple:

If I was to die tomorrow, I would want my family to think that I was a good person and I would want my people to think I was a good person, but made a few mistakes. I don't want anybody to think that I was a bad person. I amm going to get out and turn my life around and show everybody I am not a bad person. AB

The most important person in my life is my Dad. He is a hero because he's in the army and fights for his country and he's my Dad. He likes to be a leader and he is a great person. He is a hero to me because he takes care of me and gives me what I want. He cares for others other than himself and is willing to help others any time help is needed. BW

The most important person in my life is my little girl. She is everything to me because she has made me open myself to try to help people. My little girl is my #1 hero. She is my heart and I love her. She is a helpful person because she has changed my life. If somthing happens to my hero I will go crazy. When I get out I am going to change now because I need to do that for her and me. I am going to be a better dad than my dad was. To be a better dad to my little girl I have to get away from people that did not help me in the past. DW

Please take the time to comment on their writing if you have a Blogger account. I would like to pose them this question: what are you going to do to make your dreams come true?

What a bold way to create 'Digital Capital'.

Filed by DK on September 6 2006 | READ IT »

MediaSnackers Podcast#40

[SUMMARY—The 40th MediaSnackers podcast chats to youth media consultant based in Geneva.]

(WORLD) The MediaSnackers podcast focusses on individuals, organisations or companies who are simply impressing us and which are crying out for more discussion.

Chris Schuepp is a freelance youth media consultant who runs Unicef's Magic Network and has a focus on Europe and Central Asia.

0.00—0.10 Intro
0.10—0.53 Chris introduces himself and what he does
0.54—2.53 how the Magic Network was created
3.06—4.12 the integration into the Voices of Youth website
4.13—5.57 major trends found through the network
5.58—6.59 how youth media will evolve
7.00—8.29 clarification of Chris' focus
8.30—9.27 how does the regional differences play out and the digital divide
9.28 —10.47 Thanks and outro

Want to suggest someone or put your virtual hand-up to be interviewed? Then get in touch here or send me an audio message by clicking the icon opposite.

Subscribe directly to these podcasts through iTunes by clicking on this icon.

Haven't got iTunes (you can download it for free here)? Well, just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.

Filed by DK on September 6 2006 | READ IT »

MediaSnackers Podcast#39

[SUMMARY—The 39th MediaSnackers podcast discusses an international youth film festival.]

(WORLD) The MediaSnackers podcast focusses on individuals, organisations or companies who are simply impressing us and which are crying out for more discussion.

Craig Goodwill from Culture Creatives and Company, out in Canada discusses the Mobile Jam Fest, an international youth film festival.

0.00—0.10 Intro
0.10—0.54 Criag discusses his background and the Mobile Jam Fest
0.55—1.45 how the festival enables its participants to explore corporate social responsibility
1.46—3.25 logistics of the festival
3.26—4.49 the goals of the festival
4.50—6.31 power of mobile phones and other portable platforms
6.32—8.08 power of film and their creation avenues
8.09—9.27 personal views on youth media consumption/creation
9.28 —9.38 Thanks and outro

Want to suggest someone or put your virtual hand-up to be interviewed? Then get in touch here or send me an audio message by clicking the icon opposite.

Subscribe directly to these podcasts through iTunes by clicking on this icon.

Haven't got iTunes (you can download it for free here)? Well, just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.