Welcome!

Entry # 1 - 2009-2010

As part of your media arts / communcations technology course you will be required to create and maintain your own media arts / communications blog. Blogging has quickly become a very popular form of communication and online journaling.

Through this course your will be required to reply to reply to six different media / technology issues or topics that will be posted here for you to respond to on your own blog. Each response must be no less than 300 words and should have discussions relevant to media arts and communication technology. YOu will also be required to respond to 6 other people's blogs with thoughtful ideas and comments. The evaluation for this unit is found in your unit guide. Once you have completed all tasks (which will take you several months) you will submit your unit guide, with a list of the six blogs that you responded to, for evaluation.

Happy Blogging!
Mrs. P.

Congratulations!!!

2008-2009 Entry #7

Congratulations! We have reached the end of the media arts/communications technology course! It is our hope that this course has taught you everything that you had hoped and more! As part of your unit 18 Just Prove It! mark we are asking you to complete your last blog entry for the year.

Think back to all of your assignments from this year: the multiple exposure, the circus collage, the pattern, the eccentrick inspiration and lastly your final project the weccentrick video. For each of these assignments, discuss your works, the trials and errors and what you feel is the strongest component of each piece. For each artwork you have done, you must write on paragraph as well as post the image to your blog for all to see. (if you are able to it would also be great to post your video - if you have the capabilities.) IUt is not necessary to reply to other people's last entry as they are strictly for the teachers to see your progression throughout the year.

EccentricK!

2008-2009 Entry #6

Every year the basement of Mary Ward gets converted into one of the greatest art shows in any of the Toronto high schools, dare I even say in all of Ontario! Now is your chance to talk about any of your experiences, favourite moments and favourite art works that was on display. For this blog, take the time to comment, discuss and share your thoughts about 1) the art show and the whole experience and 2) select one piece of art work and discuss what you liked about it and why you liked it so much.

Excuse Me While I Answer My Phone...

2008-2009 Entry #5

Cell phones have come a long way, but have we? Society has grown accustomed to life's conveniences - cell phones, ATM's, online banking, and the list goes on.  However, our etiquette surrounding the use of this technology has definitely changed.  We've been taught never to eat with our mouths full, and to always say please and thank you, or to cover our mouth when we sneeze and to say "excuse me" when we need to pass.  So why don't we know what manners to use when using cell phones?  People drive and speak on their cell phones, students text each other during class, or they speak on the phone in the most inappropriate times. There is a time and a place to use a cell phone, yet few of us are clear as to what that is.  What do you think? In this blog I would like you to not only explain your thoughts surrounding cell phone use and manners, but I would also like you to identify 5 rules that you think are necessary to follow when using cell phones.  Happy typing!      

"Everything is Amazing and Nobody's Happy"

2008-2009 Entry #4

I was driving in my car, on my way to work one day, when I heard this clip on the radio. In it there is a comedian by the name of Louis C.K. who says a few things that really got me thinking. Watch the clip and then read on...




So after hearing what he has to say - how much of it do you feel is true? How often do we take for advantage all of the technology that is around us? Technology advances at such a fast rate. Take for instance the cell phone. Invented in the 1940's - but really only became popular in the last decade or so. As a teenager I never had a cell phone, or an MP3 player - I had a walkman and later was lucky enough to get a discman. All this technology is really a very new trend that has many people wrapped around its finger. I have to admit that I am even stuck in this web of technology. I have a cell phone that I never leave the house with, an iPod that I love to listen to, a laptop that I rely upon to surf the web, type out notes and let us not forget about emails and facebook!

In your response think about and discuss any reactions you have to the video clip. Discuss how important technology is in your life. What are the items you just can't live without - or could you? Ask your parents about technology that exists today that never existed when they were young. With technology advancing at such a fast rate - what else could humanity possibly invent that isn't already out there in one shape or form. Share your thoughts and ideas with the class.

Gaming Gone Wild

2008-2009 Entry #3

How many of you play video games at least once a day? After school? During school? How many of you play video games so much that at one point you've forgotten you're mothers' name? Whether it is Super Mario Brothers, Tetris or Rock Band video games seem to have taken hold of our young people. As a member of an "older" generation I am perplexed. What is it about these games that steals away so much time from our youth and is there anything that we can do to revert our young people's attention to other things like playing sports, spending time with our family and friends, volunteering or God forbid, trying to get better marks at school? In your opinion when is enough enough? I'd like to know what you think.

The Campaign Trail

2008-2009 Entry #2

On November 4th, 2008 The United States of America elected their new president, Barack Obama.  Prior to this historic election both candidates - John Mc Cain and Barack Obama - promoted their platforms through ad campaigns.  Take a look at the following advertisement and tell us what you think of it.  What campaign issues are brought to light in this advertisement?  What is Obama's message to the American people?  Is this an effective ad campaign?  Why or why not?

And for your viewing pleasure, this commercial was based on a very popular commercial from 2000: