Week 9 Task 1

Essay Plan


My essay topic is: Does the extensive use of computer/video games have an adverse impact on the health of young people. What are the most recent papers? Clarify what both sides of the argument claim and only then offer your reasoned opinion based on facts.

One of the reasons why I chose the topic was because I was interested in what this means for today's youth. With all the varieties of high tech computer and video games, accessible to kids now, it makes me wonder if any still appreciate old fashioned outdoor fun, such as 'tip', 'bull rush’,’ spotlight', or '123 home'.

I have chosen to argue that the extensive use of computer/video games have a negative effect on the health of young people. 

I read that child obesity in Australia, increased at an alarming from being  4 per cent in 1901 to more than 30 per cent in 2003 (www.theage.com.au). Child obesity is still on the increase although it is now at a slower rate. The difference between the numbers in 1995 and 2008 aren't statistically significant (www.abs.gov.au). 

This makes me wonder if the advances in technology, such as the rise of accessible video games, are partially responsible for these drastic changes in children’s health.   

Anyway, obesity isn't the only angle I'm going to focus on in this essay but it is one of the major ones.

References 

Stark Jill 2007, Child obesity rate is 'likely to double', The Age, viewed 22/09/2011

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/child-obesity-rate-is-likely-to-double/2007/02/11/1171128813822.html

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2009, Children who are overweight or obese, viewed 22/09/2011

http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features20Sep+2009 

My Video

Week 8 Task 2

Video Progress

This week, I have chosen all my photos and drawings that i want to use.  I decided to use adobe photoshop, so i could make a collage of a bunch of pictures. At first i has trouble with it because its been almost 3 years since i have used photoshop, but after many typing in of 'how to's' in google and playing around with i finally got comfortable.  

I made a decision not to use music because i couldnt find an mp3 of one of the Norfolk songs. My friend emailed me a couple but they didnt download properly. 

My video will be a series of photos with text and drawings, outlining the beauty of Norfolk Island. It seems like its more of a promotional add that a story but oh well.

I have chosen to use Windows Movie Maker because it seemed the easiest to use, and it was recommended by my tutor.  So far I am playing around with the video effects.

I am confident about my level of ownership of the production. Every drawing was made by me on paint, and most of the photos came from my camera. The ones that didn’t were taken by good friends of mine who were perfectly fine with me using them. Overall I am pretty happy with what I’m doing, though there are a few things I’m not sure about, so I will seek some help in the tutorial today.

Week 8 Task 1

The question I have chosen to do my research on is:

  “Does the extensive use of computer/video games have an adverse impact on the health of young people? What are the most recent papers? Clarify what both sides of the argument claim and only then offer your reasoned opinion based on facts.”

I have not yet started this essay but I have a few ideas. I have chosen to argue that the extensive use of video and commuter games does have an impact on a young person’s health.  However if I find more proof that it doesn’t then I will have to argue the contrary, but I am pretty sure it does because I  have seen it first hand, with the young people in my home town. Also there have been studies on shows such as Today Tonight, and I remember reading a few articles that say it does have a bad effect on a person’s health.

I chose to do this topic because to be honest I felt I would struggle with a lot of the other ones, and this seemed like a topic where I would have a chance to do well.

Week 7 Task 2

Video Progress

I have now gathered lots of photos and some drawings for my video. I have a couple of my own photos of Norfolk Island, and my friend said I could use her that we took together as well. I played around on paint plast night, and managed to get 2 drawings done. I ahve decided that I would play "My Island Home" by Christine Anu in the background or maybe one of the traditional Norfolk Island songs such as the Pitcarin Anthem. I have still not figured out how I am going to make a story out of the pictures, but I was thinking about making it like a mini tour of the island. I would like my story to make  people want to visit the island, and experience it's uniqueness.   

Week 7 Task 1

*How is Wikipedia useful?
 Wikipedia is a great website for satisfying curiosity, or for being a starting point when conducting research.  It is awesome because it gives extremely thorough answers to a wide range of topics. It also includes citations so you can check the information’s reliability.  Anyone can upload information on Wikipedia, so it isn’t the most reliable source of information but overall it is a very helpful website.  

*Has anyone here edited Wikipedia? How hard is it?
I have never edited Wikipedia, but people who have tell me it is very straight forward.

* Why does Facebook work?
According to Social Media Statistic Australia, Facebook currently has around 9.8 million Australian visitors going to the site every month. It is now to social norm for many people to have a Facebook. Many young people, such as myself, have become addicted to this social networking site, therefore making it hard to imagine life without it. Facebook works because it is now not just a site for keeping in touch with friends. The sky is the limit with what you can do with this revolutionary social networking site.

* What would it take for you to close down your Facebook account?
If I was every cyber bullied on Facebook to the extent where I would be afraid to log on, I would close down my account. Also maybe if my profile kept getting hacked into or my photos were used for reasons I did not approve of. I guess it would have to be a big thing for me to shut it down since I’m pretty much addicted.

Reference

Social Media News 2011, Social media statistic Australia, viewed 15/09/2011

http://www.socialmedianews.com.au/social-media-statistics-australia-january-2011/

Week 6 - Task 2

Hollywood!

The internet enables people to download movies, music and TV shows, without purchasing them.  As a result, sales of DVDs and CDs have declined. New films are released at different times around the world. The internet gives people the chance to see these films before it even hits cinemas ion their country. This is illegal and costs the film industry a lot of money.

However sites such as YouTube and Facebook and Twitter, could be helpful to the industries for advertising their trailers, or music talent. Many celebrities now days like Justin Bieber, Lilly Allen, and Greyson Chance have been discovered through the internet and all have successful careers.  The internet allows all aspiring singers, dancers, actors and musicians to post their work, for the whole world to see. In this case the internet represents the future, rather than the demise of the film and music industries. 

According to an article in the Economist, Hollywood could work with the internet to minimise piracy. The article says that Hollywood needs to persuade people to choose legal routes by providing top-class movie download service, and to get internet – service providers to prevent illegal downloading.  (The Economist 2008)

Reference

The Economist, 2008, “Hollywood and the internet – There will be blood”

http://www.economist.com/node/10733002

Week 6 Task 1

Plan for Video

I was thinking about making my theme about my home town Norfolk Island. The story will explain where it is, its culture, what it looks like, and what is unique about it.  I have some of my own photos of the place I could use and I was also thinking about drawing some pictures and turning them into funny cartoons. I have some songs in the Norfolk language I could play in the background that I may use.