For Media Studies.

1. What have you learnt about
technologies from the process of
constructing this product?
Question 6

2. Software Hardware
• Photoshop CS3 • Camera
• Microsoft Powerpoint • Computer
• Microsoft Word • Memory Stick
• Blogger
• Google
• Fireworks
• Microsoft Publisher
• Paint
• Blackboard
• Slide Share
• Survey Monkey
• You-Tube

3. Research Planning
Google, Powerpoint, Blackboard, Survey Paint, Fireworks
Monkey, You-Tube, Fireworks, Blogger,
Publisher
Paper/Pencil, Computer, Camera
Computer
Production Evaluation
Photoshop, Paint, Fireworks, Blogger Microsoft Powerpoint, Slide Share,
Microsoft Word, Blogger
Camera, Computer, Memory Stick Computer

4. One thing I’ve never used before is a Blog. So from using Blogger
I learnt how to make a Blog, how often to update it and most
importantly, how to make it interesting. I did the latter by making
it multimedia, my Blog contains links, picture, text and video.
It is also the first time that I’ve used Photoshop. So I learnt how
to edit pictures, how to place text and images amongst lots of
other things. I found Photoshop very easy to use, and a very
useful tool for editing photos.
I created a survey for the first time on Survey Monkey. I found
that the survey is very useful for research. It’s a lot less arduous
than a paper based questionnaire where I would have to go out
and find people and then have to collate all the information onto
my Blog. Survey Monkey gave me an internet based survey, all I
had to do was make the survey then wait for results. So apart
from learning how to make a survey, I also learnt that it’s a very
useful tool for research as it’s quick and easy.
I learnt to use Blackboard as well, the College’s intranet. This was
very good, especially for research, as I had access to good
information that made it a lot easier to do all my research. The
alternative would have been going to find some things on the
internet, which would have taken a long time as I would have to
work through lots of different data.

5. I don’t think I could have completed my magazine without
the use of technology. For example, without a camera I
couldn’t have pictures in my magazine, which would be
detrimental to the magazine. Or without Photoshop (Or
similar software) the project would be far to tedious to
complete to a good extent.
However there is some technology that I could have done
without, such as Blackboard. In this case, I could have looked
over the internet for information, or even in books. Even
though it may take a bit longer I would still get the same
information. I also could have used a questionnaire instead of
Survey Monkey, but again, this would take a long time.
The technology that I could not do without would have to be
the computer and camera. Without the computer I couldn’t
do any of my project at all, and without a camera I couldn’t
take the pictures necessary for the magazine.

6. The Benefits of using technology.
.Blogger allowed me to make a
multimedia platform, with which I could
make an interesting blog. It also makes it
easier to keep all my things in one place.
.It is quick and easy to gain and apply
information. For example, using Google I
could find information off the internet
and apply it straight to my blog .
(e.g. Pictures of magazine front covers)
.Using a computer you can store all your data .You can edit your own work easier on a
into folders. This is a lot easier then having to computer than in real life. For example,
walk around with folders in real life. It also when evaluating magazine pages I could
means that they are easier to access. edit things in and take things out
whenever I want. If it was paper based I
would have to start a new piece of paper
if I made a mistake.

7. The Negatives of using technology.
.Your computer may crash. If this happens then all the
unsaved work you are doing will be deleted, forever.
This happened whilst making my contents page, and I
had to start again. However if you save regularly the
threat of your computer crashing is lessened.
.Technology’s expensive. The cost of a decent
computer, anti-virus programs, Microsoft, Photoshop
and Adobe is very expensive, if the College didn’t have
these on hand then it could be impossible for some
people to make a magazine. Also the cost of a camera
in order to take the pictures makes it even more so
expensive.
.When making a survey for my research you can’t be sure
who’s answering the survey. Whereas when using a
questionnaire you can be sure on who’s answering it, you
could also find it easier to get the right people to answer it.