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Entries for January 2007
Gen Y Project
[SUMMARY—Come, join the forum discussion with MediaSnackers founder DK.]
(WORLD) I've been invited as a forum speaker by the Gen Y Project, an online research project attempting to highlight generation Y leaders to the world.
The the discussion will take place on Tuesday, February 6, 2007, 1pm (EST) and is free to join. To find out more or to register to join the discussion click here.
Get involved!
Filed by DK on January 31 2007 | READ IT »
Youth Media Opportunities
[SUMMARY—Opportunities to get involved.]
(UK) Our #51 podcast was with Greag Davies, station controller of broadband TV youth station ChewTV.
They are now looking for 10 amazing ideas which they will help you to develop:
We're really interested in subject matter that will stir up debate or that highlights issues you feel passionate about. Your idea could be anything: an animation, film, documentary, music video, audio, a game, or just a way of communicating though ChewTV.
Get in touch through ChewTV.
Plus, youth volunteering charity are looking for new member for their v20 youth board. For more info head over to their site—MediaSnackers will hopefully delivering some training for the new members soon :-)
Filed by DK on January 31 2007 | READ IT »
MediaSnackers Podcast#66
[SUMMARY—The 66th MediaSnackers podcast converses with the Cartoon Network.]
(WORLD) The MediaSnackers podcast focusses on individuals, organisations or companies who are simply impressing us and which are crying out for more discussion.
Alice Cahn, Head of Acquisitions and Development for Cartoon Network in the US.
0.00—0.36 intros
0.37—2.40 defining the Cartoon Network market
2.41—4.21 how/why they have changed
4.22—6.32 how programming reflects this change
6.33—9.23 the junk food/advertising debate
9.24—11.57 the future
11.58—12.09 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 the icon opposite (download iTunes for free here).
Not using iTunes? Then just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.
Check out our other podcasts here.
Filed by DK on January 30 2007 | READ IT »
To Ban Or Not To Ban
[SUMMARY—Is the US shooting itself in the web 2.0 foot/face.]
(US) Senator Ted Stevens is the guy who described the internet as a series of tubes in defense of creating a two-tier system in the US (enter the net neutrality debate). He was also one of the main politicians behind the Deleting Online Predator Act (DOPA) which attempted to curb access to any websites which you could interact with through public institutions (schools, colleges, libraries etc.).
Well DOPA didn't get far but already it has been replaced by a new Act called Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act which again, Ted Stephens is spearheading.
Briefly, the new act focuses on three areas: Protecting Children (which focuses on banning child porn and if there is adult content the providers have to be certified in some way like films), Deleting Online Predators (exactly the same as original DOPA) and Children's Listbroker Privacy (no-one can sell/purchase information about a child).
But hold on, a national survey of teachers in the US are claiming to use the web more and more as a resource. And with more and more news sites adopting commenting and trackback options plus highlighting links to blogs which reference the article, surely this will fall under the categories listing in the new Act and therefore be banned for use in public institutions ie. the schools. Mmmmm—
Filed by DK on January 30 2007 | READ IT »
Tracking Kids
[SUMMARY—MediaSnackers youth contributor gives her take on the new monitoring options for parents on MySpace.]
(UK/WORLD) Over the last month or so, I've been extremely busy with Christmas festivities, celebrating the start of 2007 and sitting my A-Level exams. Now that's all over, I can start on another MediaSnackers article! I think that DK thought I'd disappeared off the face of this planet, if he hadn't of seen the sheer amount of MySpace bulletins over the Christmas period!
So, apparently MySpace have decided to introduce a new tracking system, which allows parents to check what sort of information their kids are entering onto their own profiles. As if our privacy hadn't been invaded enough! On MySpace, the majority of kids pretty much write things that make them appear 'random' or 'individual' and it's just a place to talk to their friends, (it's like a slower version of instant messaging on AIM or MSN) so I don't feel there's a need to keep track of what we're doing on a social networking site!
Filed by DK on January 29 2007 | READ IT »
MediaSnackers Podcast#65
[SUMMARY—The 65th MediaSnackers podcast takes a look at a nonprofit independent media arts center in San Francisco, CA.]
(WORLD) The MediaSnackers podcast focusses on individuals, organisations or companies who are simply impressing us and which are crying out for more discussion.
Ken Ikeda is Executive Director of Bay Area Video Coalition a nonprofit independent media arts center in San Francisco, CA.
0.00—0.57 intros
0.58—1.44 what BAVC does with young people
1.45—2.25 the logistics
2.26—4.15 sepcific youth media programmes (The Factory and BUMP Records)
4.16—5.00 students to teachers
5.01—6.35 what type of young people are involved with the programmes
6.36—7.43 media literacy levels
7.44—9.47 where the gap lies
9.48—10.47 the future
10.48—10.59 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 the icon opposite (download iTunes for free here).
Not using iTunes? Then just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.
Check out our other podcasts here.
Filed by DK on January 27 2007 | READ IT »
Dylan's Couch Gets Featured…
[SUMMARY—…on YOUTUBE!]
(WORLD) Remember the 56th MediaSnackers podcast?
Sure you do. It was with Dylan, 13 year old star of Dylan's Couch.
His eigth episode just got featured on the home page of YouTube.
At the time of writing, this video episode has been viewed nearly a quarter of a million times…
Well done Dylan!
56th MediaSnackers podcast with Dylan
Filed by DK on January 24 2007 | READ IT »
Get Positive
[SUMMARY—Not all news is bad.]
(UK) We all know young people are not always presented as bastions of virtue in the mainstream news/press (sarcasm is so hard to emote in words)…
Check out Positive Youth News, an 'insert' within the main Positive News publication.
There's a slight lack of utilisation of multi-media on the site (RSS, audio, video) but the content is sharp and true due to their focus and framework:
It is dedicated to allowing young people to improve their journalistic skills as well as helping them spread ideas and solutions, giving people a positive alternative to mainstream media.
Maybe there's an avenue to hook up with these guys or these guys?
Filed by DK on January 24 2007 | READ IT »
MediaSnackers Podcast#64
[SUMMARY—The 64th MediaSnackers podcast finds out more about Project Happiness.]
(WORLD) The MediaSnackers podcast focusses on individuals, organisations or companies who are simply impressing us and which are crying out for more discussion.
Jim (Sky) Schuyler is the Chief Technology Officer for the Dalai Lama Foundation, discussing the Project Happiness project.
0.00—1.10 intros
1.11—2.14 aims and objectives of Project Happiness
2.15—5.57 what schools are involved
5.58—10.47 utilising the technologies and web platforms
10.46—11.08 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 the icon opposite (download iTunes for free here).
Not using iTunes? Then just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.
Check out our other podcasts here.
Filed by DK on January 24 2007 | READ IT »
BBC Gets A (Second) Life
[SUMMARY—Creating an online immserive world for its tween audience.]
(UK) Ever since the BBC announced its Creative Future policy and specified a growing commitment to utilise new media and technologies (especially in relation to its younger audience) there has been lots of speculation about what exactly this means. It's why MediaSnackers interviewed the BBC in its vodcast this month.
Announced today is the news that CBBC (the BBC's tween brand) is creating a virtual world like Second Life to be available this summer. BBC Children's controller, Richard Deverell, said:
CBBC World will be a space where children can find radio, TV and on-demand content. We hope then it can be adapted to make it more personal so it understands what kind of person you are ,and offers you things you might like, such as our new show MI High. The important thing is it will be a safe environment which children can explore. It is a truly cross-platform project
BBC article link and Guardian article link
Filed by DK on January 23 2007 | READ IT »
MediaSnack-snack-snackers#8
[SUMMARY—Quotes which illustrate.]
(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':
Children should be able to find pleasure in simple things. We shouldn't make it all Disney-like every time we come to school. Their books are falling apart but they've got this great big, brand spanking new white board at the front of the class.
One teacher discussing the vitures of ineractive whiteboards in schools.
His interest in TV has really declined, because it's just there, you can't customize it.
A mother talking about her 8 year old sons' attitude towards the TV and his growing appetite for YouTube and Wikipedia.
Students who come to school possessing hand-helds, PC tablets, flash-drives, Ipods, and cell phones cannot reasonably be asked to sit in a small space for five hours a day while a teacher talks about the past and present.
Dr. Jon Wiles in his Redesigning Schools-Redefining Education article for DesignShare.
MediaSnack-snack-snackers #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Filed by DK on January 23 2007 | READ IT »
MediaSnackers Podcast#63
[SUMMARY—The 63rd MediaSnackers podcast discusses the new report from DEMOS.]
(WORLD) The MediaSnackers podcast focusses on individuals, organisations or companies who are simply impressing us and which are crying out for more discussion.
Hannah Green is head of the families programme at DEMOS and one of the authors of the research report, Their Space: Education for a digital generation.
0.00—0.19 intros
0.20—1.42 exploring the reasons behind the report
1.43—2.29 how the report was researched
2.30—3.01 who they spoke to
3.02—4.18 the vacuum between the schools/parents and young people
4.19—5.30 what they learned from young people
5.31—7.35 the teachers/schools
7.36—8.50 proposals from the report
8.51—10.45 policy gap
10.46—12.10 realistic impact of the report
12.11—12.24 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 the icon opposite (download iTunes for free here).
Not using iTunes? Then just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.
Check out our other podcasts here.
Filed by DK on January 22 2007 | READ IT »
The Future Is So Close…
[SUMMARY—…you can touch it!]
Filed by DK on January 19 2007 | READ IT »
Monitoring/Suing MySpace
[SUMMARY—Families sue as MySpace introduces new monitoring options for parents.]
(US/WORLD) Families in the US are suing MySpace because they claim the site did not do enough to protect their kids who were approached by sex offenders on the website and subsequently attacked. MySpace have reacted by announcing the development to provide options for parents to monitor their kids online activities later this year.
There are a few stories on this issue here, here and here
Will this move alienate their young users? Is the move too late anyway? Should the blame be shared out to the parents/schools educating young peoples online habits? What impact will it have on other more youth-focussed networking platforms?
I have a feeling this one will run…
Filed by DK on January 19 2007 | READ IT »
Greenwich University
[SUMMARY—I was giving a lecture... seriously!]
(UK) I visited Greenwich University yesterday giving a lecture to a group of 3rd year students. A special thanks to Kate Armstrong for the invite and to the students themselves for simply turning up (I remember what uni was like).
I also had the opportunity to discuss media habits with four of the attendees which will be featured in the next MediaSnackers vodcast.
Filed by DK on January 19 2007 | READ IT »
MediaSnackers Podcast#62
[SUMMARY—The 62nd MediaSnackers podcast talks to Professor David Buckingham from the Centre for the Study of Children, Youth and Media.]
(WORLD) The MediaSnackers podcast focusses on individuals, organisations or companies who are simply impressing us and which are crying out for more discussion.
David Buckingham is Professor of Education at the Institute of Education, London University and founder / director of the Centre for the Study of Children, Youth and Media.
0.00—0.26 intros
0.27—2.22 exploring the centers focus
2.23—4.32 the big changes in media from an academic perspective
4.33—6.27 teaching media education
6.28—9.44 the CivicWeb project
9.45—11.03 the future of media
11.04—11.14 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 the icon opposite (download iTunes for free here).
Not using iTunes? Then just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.
Check out our other podcasts here.
Filed by DK on January 17 2007 | READ IT »
MediaSnackers Podcast#61
[SUMMARY—The 61st MediaSnackers podcast explores bebo.com with its cofounder Michael Birch.]
(WORLD) The MediaSnackers podcast focusses on individuals, organisations or companies who are simply impressing us and which are crying out for more discussion.
Michael Birch is the co-founder of popular youth social networking site Bebo.
0.00—0.16 intro
0.17—1.00 about Bebo
1.01—1.54 the numbers and scale of Bebo
1.55—3.17 why Bebo is so popular in the UK/Irish market
3.18—5.06 how they have stayed fresh and relevant
5.07—4.47 the impact of the users
6.26—7.52 widgets/authors
7.51—10.24 the issues and problems relating to misuse of the site
10.25—11.27 the future of Bebo
11.28—11.38 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 the icon opposite (download iTunes for free here).
Not using iTunes? Then just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.
Check out our other podcasts here.
Filed by DK on January 15 2007 | READ IT »
MediaSnackers Youth Professionals Training: 14-15/12/06
[SUMMARY—Short film review of a two day training course for youth professionals.]
(UK) Check out this short film review of the two day youth professionals MediaSnackers training course in Plymouth for Creative Partnerships we delivered right before Christmas.
Music: The Rivers
The Creative Partnerships team enjoyed the Mediasnackers two day youth professional course immensely. We all feel empowered to use a vast array of I.T. tools and would thoroughly recommend the training. DK and Mark were very helpful and flexible in tailoring the two days to a group of fifteen people with different levels of experience.
Jo Taylor, Operations Manager
Thanks again Katy, Julie, Jo, Helen, Jenny, Barry, Jan, TC, Cass, Greg, Mel, Kate, Ed, Jake, Tamsin, Paula and Laura for making the training so much fun.
Related posts: Creative Partnerships Training Part 1 and Creative Partnerships Training Part 2
Filed by DK on January 14 2007 | READ IT »
Their (Digital) Space
[SUMMARY—Young people are spending their time in a space which adults find difficult to supervise or understand.]
(UK/WORLD) Leading UK think-tank, DEMOS has launched a report exploring young peoples' use of digital space and how education/parents need to catch up
If you still think this is a discussion about viewing young people as victims in need of protection then think again (check out Danah Boyd's fantastic blog post/analysis about the realities of online sexual predators)—the DEMOS report obviously shares a positive view of these young people as empowered and sophisticated MediaSnackers.
Head of the Demos families programme, Hannah Green:
We are witnessing the rise of a generation of children who can't remember life before the internet and mobile phones. Negative myths are clouding the public debate around technology and children, and we rarely listen to what children themselves have to say, They know more than we think about what benefits them and what doesn't. It's time for schools to harness their knowledge and enthusiasm and start helping children who are less confident to contribute to a thriving digital culture.
Download report here (pdf 304kb)
Related post: UK Government ICT Strategy
Filed by DK on January 12 2007 | READ IT »
MediaSnackers Podcast#60
[SUMMARY—The 60th MediaSnackers podcast talks to the author of Innovative Practices of Youth Participation in Media.]
(WORLD) The MediaSnackers podcast focusses on individuals, organisations or companies who are simply impressing us and which are crying out for more discussion.
Sanjay Asthana is the author of Innovative Practices of Youth Participation in Media, a research study on twelve initiatives from around the developing and underdeveloped regions of the world.
0.00—1.51 intro
1.52—6.06 about the research
6.07—4.47 strength of participation and empowerment of young people and its impact on transfoming the media
9.36—10.12 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 the icon opposite (download iTunes for free here).
Not using iTunes? Then just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.
Check out our other podcasts here.
Filed by DK on January 12 2007 | READ IT »
UK Government ICT Strategy
[SUMMARY—Do they have one?]
(UK) After our first podcast interview with a politician yesterday, there appeared two articles about UK governments' ICT strategy.
The first article relates to a decision to scrap the proposed compulsory computer tests for 14 year olds. It will still exist but as an ongoing assessment which wont appear in any league tables.
The second article focusses on the pledge to enable 800,000 pupils internet access outside of the school context to close the digital divide. The government says its spending on school information and technology equipment has risen six-fold since 1998—from £112m to £801m this year.
So there exists an obvious commitment to provide access, a sizable investment on infractructure and equipment plus the need to frame this in some kind of quantifiable assessment. Although there does not seems a comprehensive strategy, or am I wrong? Does the UK government have an ICT strategy? Do you know of one? I'm really finding it hard to discover where digital literacy sits within the goervnmental context—Can you help? If so, get in touch.
BBC article and image source: Pupils get home internet access and School computer test scrapped
Filed by DK on January 10 2007 | READ IT »
MediaSnackers Podcast#59
[SUMMARY—The 59th MediaSnackers podcast discusses the political context of media with Lord Clement-Jones.]
(WORLD) The MediaSnackers podcast focusses on individuals, organisations or companies who are simply impressing us and which are crying out for more discussion.
Lord Clement-Jones is the Lib Dem spokesperson in the House of Lords for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
0.00—0.56 Lord Clement-Jones introduces himself
0.57—3.12 what is exciting and scaring in media
3.13—4.47 where is the governments role in regulating media
4.48—6.39 political process
6.40—7.43 where does media and digital literacy sit politically
7.44—9.08 the future political debate regarding media
9.09—9.24 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 the icon opposite (download iTunes for free here).
Not using iTunes? Then just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.
Check out our other podcasts here.
Filed by DK on January 9 2007 | READ IT »
MediaSnack-snack-snackers#7
[SUMMARY—Quotes which illustrate.]
(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':
We are going to be pushed into some decisions. The kids are building the digital network, and they use it everywhere else in their lives. Pretty soon, they'll be demanding that they can use it in school. It's only going to get more powerful and pervasive.
English teacher, Matt Clausen discussing how schools have to embrace the new digital world their students live in.
Allowance 2.0 essentially upends the traditional notion of giving kids money and letting them spend it until it runs out. Under the new model, the spending often comes first, leaving parents to tally up their kids' electronic transactions and make sure they've stuck to their budgets.
Quote from this article exploring the new ways young people are getting and using their allowance/pocket money.
the new generation, they actually spend more time on their Windows PC than they spend watching TV. Now that's a pretty dramatic change.
Bill Gates quoted from his keynote address at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
MediaSnack-snack-snackers #1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6.
Filed by DK on January 9 2007 | READ IT »
Episode#001 MediaSnackers Vodcast
[SUMMARY—Popping the MediaSnackers Vodcast cherry.]
The MediaSnackers monthly vodcast is a fifteen minute shot (more or less) of yummy-youth-media-goodness. Featuring content made, produced or focussed on young people and media from around the globe.
Featuring: Slip Of The Tongue by Karen Lum from theoneminutesjr.org; an exclusive interview with Geoff Goodwin, Project Leader on Project Teens, BBC; what we mean by MediaSnackers; Constance music video by Sam Sanchez; trailer for Invisible Children; music by The Rivers.
Subscribe directly to these podcasts through iTunes by clicking the 'subscribe' icon opposite (download iTunes for free here).
Not using iTunes? Then just copy / paste this feed and drop it into your podcast aggregating software.
If you have any short video content (under two-mins) relating to youth media projects, are involved in any aspects of youth media or are a young person producing digital content (audio/visual) and want to discuss submitting pieces for consideration, please get in touch.
Filed by DK on January 8 2007 | READ IT »
Fear
[SUMMARY—The growing trend of MediaSnackers digital/media fluency which provokes fear.]
(WORLD) As traditional media increasingly becomes blurred with its cross-over into new mediums (or vice versa) each new development (which is not generational, more monthly in terms of time development) more fears are raised about its impact on those who consume or operate within its context.
Is the fear a legitimate response or an evolutionary fight or flight response to something people don't understand? If it is grounded, do the MediaSnackers understand the dangers involved? What are the risks, the potential issues or knock-on effects as they move from the TV to the PC?
Filed by DK on January 6 2007 | READ IT »
No Child Left Behind: UK Version
[SUMMARY—But isn't there something missing?]
(UK) Echoing the same rhetoric as the US No Child Left Behind campaign, a new report into the UK educational system has announced an emphasis on personalised learning for every pupil.
Check out the article for the impressive list of recommendations to ensure this change by 2020 (or the full report), however, there's only one reference to using new media and technologies (and this is to make available lesson plans on the internet for parents).
Be interesting to see as the recommendations start to impact on policy and operational developments where and how digital or e-learning is adopted and utilised. We shall see.
BBC article link and image credit
Filed by DK on January 4 2007 | READ IT »
Media Magic Digest
[SUMMARY—Fantastic resource for all media professionals.]
(WORLD) Just before the close of 2006 Unicef launched Media Magic Digest, an online/email newsletter which echoes the aims and focus of MediaSnackers and highlights how young people across the world create media.
The first issue concentates on the International Children's Day of Broadcasting, the power of photography for young women in Kenya and in Nepal, a youth magazine. Stephen Cassidy, Chief of the Internet, Broadcast and Image Section:
The e-newsletter highlights media efforts that involve, inform, and empower young people as well as broadcaster. We want adults and children around the globe to share ideas and be inspired by the work of others to create their own imaginative approaches to all media disciplines.
Filed by DK on January 2 2007 | READ IT »
New RSS Feed
[SUMMARY—Please change over to the new rss feed :-)]
(WORLD) The MediaSnackers weblog feed has been changed to the following:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Mediasnackersreport
Please take the time to amend, thanks.
Still new to RSS? Click here
Filed by DK on January 1 2007 | READ IT »
Digital Media NYA Report
[SUMMARY—A start but still playing catch-up.]
(UK) The National Youth Agency (NYA) held a consultation last year with a small group of young people to explore their use of digital media. It's a precursor to a larger research project into this area (details not available at this time).
Filed by DK on January 1 2007 | READ IT »
2007
[SUMMARY—Bring it on!]
(WORLD) 2007 creeps in with the promise to be another MediaSnacking-influencing year.
Why should you care? Well, these MediaSanckers are impacting on work culture, having the first opportunity to tell their story or are simply challenging the world—all through new media and access to technology.
MediaSnackers hopes to sustain this promise through our weblog and focus on this tech-empowered youth generation, in our training which enables youth professionals and young people alike to embrace new media and technology, and through the simple focus that the world will continue to change without turning back. Embrace it folks!
Filed by DK on January 1 2007 | READ IT »
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