Intro to New Media Technology, a Reflection

During my time in Introduction to New Media Technology (COMM 372T), I had an opportunity to engage with new media technologies in both historical and contemporary contexts. This included exploring different social media platforms that are relevant in today’s reality. I personally explored new media technology of interest to me through activities such as analysis-reviews and direct platform interaction.

I was particularly interested in expanding my knowledge of YouTube. I am generally knowledgeable with the platform. However, because of the opportunity to interact with it in the context of required lectures and other assigned readings, I was able to expand my understanding of key concepts. As a result, the Platformed Analysis requiring the development of a YouTube video and accompanying writing became my favorite assignment.

Because of this and other course objectives, I now look at media a little differently. For example, prior to this course I had little knowledge about why the youth media culture is attracted to new media platforms. My own children spend vast amounts of time on YouTube and it confused me as to why. Petersen’s article regarding the authenticity and intimacy of the experience demonstrating stardom built from the bottom-up is clearly appealing to viewers. The course assignment to analyze a YouTube channel gave students an opportunity to experience it for themselves.

As mentioned in my initial blog, this course has great value as someone who was recently accepted in Old Dominion University’s Instructional Design and Technology Master’s Program. I want to explore how the internet is bringing us together in new ways for interacting with others both in our personal and professional lives. As a future Instructional Technologist, topics like this have a direct impact in my educational field. I have improved my online professional presence through the curation of my own ePortfolio through adding artifacts and mobile viewing functions. Additionally, I want to be able to think creatively about reaching online students and becoming familiar with media platforms that can enhance a student’s experience.

For students taking the class in the future, it will be important for them to think about effective ways to study for tests and to pick out assignment inspirations that are of interest to the learner. I found it exceedingly helpful to review all assigned readings and lectures to be prepared for tests. Additionally, by choosing social media I was interested in for assignments which allowed students to choose, it allowed for deeper learning that could be applied to my own life.

This course allows an opportunity for students to approach new media technology as a tool in reshaping the way society is interacting with one another and can have vast possibilities for reaching others within society.