The student used various hardware and software in the construction, planning, research, and evaluation of their media products. They used Apple Macs, an Acer Aspire Netbook, an HTC phone, Samsung camera, USB drive, and Panasonic video camera. Key software included Safari, Internet Explorer, YouTube, Blogger, social networks, Microsoft Publisher/PowerPoint, PicMonkey, and Final Cut Pro. The student found the hardware and software generally easy to use and helpful to the process, though experienced some issues with software compatibility between devices.

1. Evaluation 4
How did you use media technologies
in the construction and
research, planning and evaluation?

2. Introduction
Without the use of media technologies I
would have never been able to create my
products. I used various hardware and
software to help me with the
construction, planning, research and
evaluation. I didn’t realise that I had used so
many products until now and overall I am
extremely happy with the ones I have chosen
to use.

3. Hardware

4. Apple Mac
As my school are lucky enough to have
enough of these computers for the
whole class, this was the piece of
hardware that I used most. It was
extremely useful in both the
construction and research, planning and
evaluation. It gave me access to various
media software such as final cut pro.
However, I have been using these
computers for a number of years
now, but I still feel as though I much
prefer a windows operating system. I
encountered a lot of problems due to
the fact that I couldn’t do work on the
Macs then send it home to finish off as
the software wasn’t compatible with
each other.

5. Acer Aspire One ‘Happy’
This is my own ‘Netbook’
which I have used at home
to complete the majority of
my planning and evaluation.
It came extremely handy
when I wanted to blog last
minute, and the operating
system (windows) is simple
and easy to use. It’s easy for
my to create presentations
on this computer because I
am far more familiar with
the design software. I would
have liked to have created
more of the products on this
computer but the Macs
design software is far better.

6. HTC ChaCha Smart Phone
I used my smart phone
to check my blog on
the go. To see if
anyone had left
comments on anything
i had posted and to see
if anymore work had
been set by the
teachers. It was also
helpful when I turned
to social networking
sites to gain audience
feedback and when I
needed to recruit a
cast for my trailer.

7. Samsung ST30 Digital Camera
This is the camera I used to
take photos of the recce
and to take photos for the
magazine/poster. Having
this at home meant that I
could take photos as soon
as inspiration hit me, and
add them to my blog
almost straight away. The
camera has face
recognition and a steady
mode so that if my hand
shook, the shot wouldn’t
be ruined. Taking the
photos and editing them
was probably the task I
enjoyed the most.

8. USB Memory Stick
This came in handy when I wanted to transfer
the soundtrack of my trailer from my Netbook
to the Macs at school.

9. Panasonic v700 Video Camera
Unfortunately, I am not lucky enough to have a video camera at home, so I had
to borrow one of the schools. This proved difficult due to the face that there
was not enough cameras for everyone, so you weren’t necessarily able to get a
camera when you needed it. The cameras themselves were easy to use and it
didn’t take long to figure out how to use. I would have like to have used a better
quality camera as I think the footage is weak in some parts of my trailer.
Although, teamed with a tripod, I was able to film some great shots.

10. Software

11. Safari
This was the internet
software I used on
the Macs. It was key
in research as it
gave me access to
various websites
such a Wikkipedia.
It was simple and
easy to use.

12. Internet Explorer
This was the
internet software I
used when at home
and using my
Netbook. Again it
also gave me access
to important
websites such as
Youtube. It is also
simple and easy to
use.

13. You Tube
This was one of the
most important pieces
of software I used in my
work. Without it I
would have no idea
what a successful trailer
looks like and wouldn’t
have been able to
upload my own trailer.
It was necessary in both
my research and
creation of my product.

14. Blogger
I loved using blogger to create
my coursework. Using this
software meant that my class
mates and I could give each
other advice ob constructive
criticism with the click of a
mouse. It was also easy for me to
look back at my previous work
and improve it if necessary. The
only time I had trouble with this
software was when I was mid-
blog and it deleted everything I
had written. Overall I think it was
the perfect piece of software to
use to present the
construction, research, planning
and evaluation of my products.

15. Social Networks
I used social networks Who wants
at various points during to be in my
the creation of my trailer?!!
products. It was
extremely useful in
allowing me to gain
audience feedback &
‘recruit’ people to take
part in my trailer. As
most of the people on
my social networks
were of the target
audiences age. It was
also helpful when class
mates and I discussed
our work.

16. Microsoft Publisher & Powerpoint
I used Microsoft
Powerpoint in the
evaluation of my
products, as I was able to
upload my Powerpoints to
blogger through
‘Slideshare’. I used
Publisher to create my
ancillary tasks. Although, I
did then improve them
after finding a way to
upload them onto the
Macs. I liked using these
pieces of software due to
the fat that I was already
familiar with them. So I
didn’t have to waste time
teaching myself how to
use them.

17. PicMonkey
PicMonkey was the
software I used to
edit the photos I took
for my ancillary task.
I was able to add a
variety of effects
including even a
vampire one! I found
it really useful and
extremely easy to
use. It was fun seeing
the photo develop
and change.

18. Finalcut pro
Finalcut Pro was a piece of
software I used on the
Mac to create my trailer.
At first I found it
extremely complicated to
use and had no idea what
I was doing. But after a
few hours of practise I got
the hang of it. I was
surprised by the amount
of transitions and effects
you could add, I think it
was perfect for editing
and making my trailer.