Liam Keenan used various media technologies throughout the construction, research, planning and evaluation stages of his coursework. He became proficient in using software like Photoshop, Blogger, SlideShare, SoundCloud and Prezi as well as hardware like digital cameras, video cameras and audio recording equipment. He learned how to effectively take photographs and videos, edit audio, create blogs and presentations, and distribute his work online. Liam was able to complete all stages of his projects using digital technologies and feels confident in his ability to use media tools for future work.

1. How did you use media
technologies in the
construction and
research, planning and
evaluation stages?
By Liam Keenan

2. • I developed my skills in using many different
software programs and hardware during the
construction, research, planning and evaluation
stages of my coursework.
• I bought my own Nikon Coolpix 2570 camera not
long before the start of the A2 year and have now
fully come to terms with its functions. Using
digital technology in terms of technological
convergence I used my camera to take pictures,
videos and record myself throughout my
production stages. I know how to toggle the focus
and create shadow depth of field when taking my
photographs and have learnt basic photography
skills such as formal and informal balance or use
of negative space etc.

3. •I have also used a Nikon
D3100 that I borrowed from
college and can use one
effectively, thus improving
my photography skills.

4. • I have also become accustomed to using a
Canon Legria FS200 video camera when
filming the response to question 3 of my
evaluation.

5. • I can now use slide share extremely well and
have no problems whatsoever in uploading
documents to be converted. I also learnt how
to upload presentations and videos using this
software.

6. • I created a sound cloud account in the AS year to upload my
spoken evaluation and have developed my ability in using this
software profoundly. I have learnt to firstly upload my audio
files onto the software then upload this onto my blog and
other programs using the embed code. I have also learnt how
to comment on other people’s sounds and how to join groups
and follow different users and profiles. I will continue with my
use of this software being a musician but plan to make a new
account shortly.

7. • I used web 2.0 applications such as face book to do my focus
group and receive feedback for my product. I have also used
the internet to research different newspaper
websites, articles, billboards, advertisements and radio
adverts for my ancillary projects and final design. I also
researched the front cover and inner pages of certain pre-
existing tabloid and broadsheet newspapers on Google
chrome and internet explorer in order to produce an Idea for
my own product.

8. • I first used Adobe Photoshop in my graphics course
at high school approximately 3 to 4 years ago and
since then have got to grips with the software and
can use it professionally in my opinion. I have
developed my skills in using the design tools on the
sidebar adequately and manipulating images and
text to suit my products.

9. • When creating my blogs for my fist AS year and
current A2 year I developed accomplished skills in
using the Blogger software. I learnt firstly how to
create a blog from scratch and how to convert
word documents and JPEG images and upload
them onto my blog. I also learnt how to upload
audio files and presentations which was fairly
new to me. Blogger is linked to web 2.0
applications such as face book, twitter and bebo.
This is another example of technological
convergence because I can distribute my products
using this software. I used google chrome to do
research for my main product, present my work
on prezi and distribute it also across face book
and blogger.

11. • I was taught how to record my radio advert by the
college’s technician and piece this together to make my
Ancillary 2 task on the digital audio workstation reaper
using a number of tools such as the cutting tool and
fader for example. I then browsed through the college’s
audio files and jingles to find my background music and
manipulated the voice recording to give it a low, deep
pitch for my interviewee so it didn’t sound like the
same person was answering the questions. It was my
first time using the program so I got to grips with the
main features of the software and can use it to a
sufficient extent.

12. • I used the same computer to record my audio and
edit the file. I then uploaded this onto sound cloud
and my blog distributing my product, I then went on
to present my ancillary 2 audio file on my prezi
presentation. This shows that I recorded, edited,
distributed and presented my ancillary task all on the
same machine, another great example of
technological convergence.

13. • I have developed my use of the prezi software as I
was unfamiliar with this until I was set the task of
creating a presentation for question 2 of my
evaluation. It was quite hard to get to grips with
but after a while I was able to add slides, text and
images to my prezi smoothly and I am now fully
confident using this software for other
work, Though I was limited when attempting to
upload an audio file from sound cloud onto my
presentation so just settled for the link to my
sound cloud page.

14. To conclude I developed my skill in all
software and hardware appliances I
used throughout my A2 year. I used
all these technologies in the
construction and research stages as
well as the planning and evaluation
stages to broaden my use of digital
technologies and so I am confident in
using them in the future.