New and Traditional Media

In a blog post, describe how new technologies have led to the convergence of traditional and new media. Describe the differences between traditional and new media. Describe how new media has  enhanced participatory democracy. How is new media impacting the social and academic lives of teachers, and what the challenges and opportunities are for improving universal access to digital media. Evaluate the impact and opportunities provided by open educational resources in teaching and learning processes.

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UNESCO's Curriculum for Teachers Media and Information Literacy excerpt: “New and Traditional Media,” Media and Information Literacy. (2011) pp. 120 – 127, talks about new and traditional media and how they meet and what role they play in the participation of individuals in todays society.   New technologies have made it possible to have a greater participatory culture as they have opened new channels of participation and access to this technology.  Traditional technologies such as newspapers, radio and television are meeting up with new technologies, or converging, at the point where now we have online news with interactive media, you can also browse the web for podcasts, and now television can be personalized to ones likes and needs.  Content has become digital.  There is digitalization of voice, image, sound and data which allows for new opportunities for interaction.  As I mentioned above this also allows for increased accessibility.

With this convergence, and increased participatory culture, society is becoming more involved in what happens around them, freedom of speech and an increase of information and discussion forums promote an enhanced participatory democracy.

New media impacts the social and professional lives of teachers everyday and in various ways.  The traditional ways we used to teach are being enhanced with new media.  Professionally, we are using our time for professional development with courses and classes that take place online.  There are many new applications and programs that aid in the development of better tailored lesson plans.  As new technologies arise, teachers must keep up and explore the tools available to them whether it is to implement a media related activity in the classroom or looking up informational videos on YouTube.  Socially, teachers lives are affected in the sense that new media allows for digital social interaction.  Sometimes the day will seem too short to run all our errands, however with the possibility going online and finding out about loved ones lives on Facebook, or Flickr seems like the option on a busy day.  Personally Pinterest has caught my attention both socially and professionally as many great ideas can come from it.

I remember when internet access was a luxury, it was like having an expensive toy that did not seem necessary in our daily lives.  I would never say something like that today.  Having digital access is a must.  It is the difference between being knowing what is going on and staying behind technically, socially, politically, and in any possible way.  There are many challenges when it comes to universal access to digital media, most importantly there is not enough budget or infrastructure allocated to this issue.  I truly believe that by opening this access to everyone, education will take a different approach and it will reach virtually everyone.  This empowerment people would be facing concerning their own education and learning process could be revolutionary.  Open educational resources could be defining tools when it comes to education.  They would be the access to knowledge anywhere, everywhere, whether its apps, games, books, courses, articles, interactive or non-interactive... you name it!