Media Usage and Production Diary

 

"We don't have a choice on if we DO social media, the question is how well we DO it." - Erik Qualman

Media Usage Table

The following tables and graphs demonstrate a sample of my total (accumulative) media usage over the last ten days.
The following assumptions have been made:

• Usage time was rounded to the closest group of ten.
• Use of media types such as music, radio, and android phone are estimates due to the nature in which they are used (sporadically throughout a single day).
• Use of media was intentional, i.e. not as a result of third party exposure.

 Figure 1.

 Figure 2.

 Figure 3

In addition to these findings, an online survey was conducted to record the media usage habits of the JOUR 1111 cohort. The 21 question report was compared with my personal data and analysed as following.

The original survey can be found here.

Media Type 1 - Television

Australian Broadcasting Company Logo

Television has long been a regular fixture in the common family household.  Since it's introduction to society in 1926 by John Logie Baird (Television History - The First 75 Years), this revolutionary device has continued to evolve, securing it's place as one of the most influential media outlets available today.

Television provides journalists with a wide range of opportunities.  News programs (the main form of television journalism) are aired following a strict schedule - viewers can always be assured that broadcasts will be delivered on time, regardless of network delays.  In Queensland, Australia, the four major free-to-air stations (Channel Ten, Channel Nine, Channel Seven, and the Australian Broadcasting Company) offer multiple broadcasts through the afternoon.

After carefully analysing the data recorded over the past ten days (see figure 1), it can be seen that a total of 13 hours, 40mins (820 minutes) was spent watch television. 5 hours of this total time was dedicated to general browsing (News, and other television programs), whilst 8 hours 40 minutes was spent watching both film and television shows.  In order for these figures to be compared to online survey results (sampling the behaviours of JOUR 111 students), a daily average must be reached. The total figure was divided by 10, giving a daily viewing time average of 1 hour, 22 minutes (82 minutes).  

The above graph shows the finding of a particular question regarding television usage.  When compared to figure 1, it can be seen that my average daily viewing hours fall within the cohort's 'norm' of 1-2hours daily.  This is to be expected due to the large number of teenage students (see survey results, questions 1) and the interest of the student body in media itself.

All television viewing took place within my own home, due to the availability of a television set and the time to utilise it. 

Media Type 2 - Radio

ABC based, Triple J Radio show Logo

 The oldest form of journalism besides printed newspapers and tabloids, the radio has delivered prompt, current news stories to the public since the first transmission in 1895.  Unknown to inventor, Guglielmo Marconi, his 'wireless' was to become the first of the great 'modern medias' (Introduction to Broadcast History).

Although mostly popular amongst older generations, the use of radio as a source of news and entertainment is enjoyed by millions around the globe.  Richard Fidler, a well renowned Australian figure and popular radio presenter for the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC), highlights the difference between radio and television,

"Radio is a completely different medium to television, anyone who thinks that you can take TV and stick it on the radio easily, or vise versa - put a camera in a radio studio and make that compelling TV, is wrong.  You're going to end up with bad radio and dull TV. They work completely differently."(From week 5 sound lecture, interview with Richard Fidler)

The difference between the two major mediums is apparent not only in design, but in the minutes of usage recorded over the ten day period.  When referring to Figure 1, it can be seen that a mere 2 hours, 20 minutes of radio were listened to over the tested period - just 3% of my total media usage (Figure 3).  This figure corresponds with 53.9% of the surveyed students, with a daily average of 14 minutes of listening time (see question 15 below).

The radio is my least utilised form of media.  I am not surprised by the results of the analysis as my only opportunities to enjoy radio entertainment is in the car, usually on the way to and from my casual work.  Although the radio is a primary news medium, it is used by fewer young adults due to the great number of alternative (and preferred) outlets.  As a tool for journalism and news broadcasts, it is a highly successful and utilised form of media - despite low ratings amongst youth.

Media Type 3 - Internet 

The internet, as a tool, has become a foundational part of society today.  With over
200 million active blogs, 8.22 billion available websites (as of 28th March 2012), and a shocking  845 million users on the social networking site Facebook (as of December, 2011) the World Wide Web offers countless possibilities to the inquisitive mind (WorldWideWeb). The internet is the modern journalists greatest tool.  Whether it be for research, the contact of new sources, internal and external communications, or the production of a news distributor itself; the effective use of the internet is fundamental to the success of a journalist.  

My media use and production diary which was recorded over a ten day period was separated into three separate areas within the internet medium itself.

Blogging

Micro-blogging platform,  Tumblr, logo

 As an avid blogger for the past four years, the use of the popular blogging platform, Tumblr, has become a daily routine for me.  It was difficult to record my usage for this particular medium as I rarely 'close' the website and will usually blog continually throughout the day.  Over the past few years blogging platforms, such as Tumblr, have grown in popularity amongst younger generations.  This is due to user-friendly functions and the vast scope of blogs available to audiences.  Launched just over 5 years ago by founder, David Karp, the microblogging platform has received countless positive press reports over the years.  
 

Tumblr usage as of 28th March 2012

It was recorded after ten days, that (an accumulative) 13 hours, 50 minutes was spent  on Tumblr alone.  This can be averaged out to a daily quota of 1 hour, 17 minutes (77minutes).  This does not fall within my expectations of usage as on days I can spend between 3 and 4 hours blogging.  The past ten days were interrupted, however, but University, work commitments, and social events.  These factors could explain my lower readings.  

 

According to question 9 of the JOUR 1111 media use and production survey (shown above), just 26.9% of the cohort, or 116 students, ran a blog prior to the commencement of the subject.  This is a realistic finding, and corresponds with the results of question 13 (shown below) stating that 140 students spend their time on the internet browsing through blogs.

Blogging is a developing social medium and can have significant affect on audiences.  Opinion or shopping blogs can often sway readers to follow the blog administrators advice, depending on the popularity and reputation of the site.  Blog runners can seek financial gain through through advertising on their blogs, and are often recruited to investigate new products, events (such as festivals), and additional user-generated content.


Blogging has great potential for future journalists - especially those of a 'freelance' nature.  Platforms such as Blogger and tumblr offer users fully customisable layouts and themes, the opportunity to establish a network of their own, and feedback systems to allow for public interaction.  Bloggers can remain anonymous if they choose to, which can appeal to a wide scope of readers.

Social Networking

Social networking website, Facebook, logo

Social networking sites (such as Facebook, Twitter, and Skype) are the communication method of choice in today's society.  Free to use, easy to personalise, and sporting a wide range of networks available to users; communication via social networking sites has quickly surpassed more traditional avenues (such as email).  Facebook, the world's largest social network, claims over 845 million users - including almost 95% of JOUR1111 students (see survey, question 5).  I have personally held an account (or profile) with Facebook since June 2008.  Since signing on to the network, the social medium has integrated itself into my daily life - I will unconsciously check my personalised 'news feed' (a collaboration of the most popular updates, posted by my 'friends'), and spend several minutes browsing through the history of my high school graduating class.  We, as a society of young users, have accommodated so well to allow for social networking sites like Facebook, that we can no longer recall functioning in a world without them.  No longer are such pages used strictly for communication and sharing personal information - users can now request updates from world news groups; celebrities; charities; and in some cases, animals.

According to Figure 1, I have spent an accumulative total of 2 hours, 25 minutes (145minutes) on my chosen social network, Facebook, in the past ten days.  This can be reduced to a total daily average of 14 1/2 minutes.  This number does not surprise me, as I spend a large portion of my internet time blogging. The data collected may suggest that my daily average time spent of Facebook is lower than the common JOUR 1111 student.  This conclusion has been reached after studying the following survey results.

The survey results from question 12 show that 128 students (29.6% of the group) spend between 2 and 3 hours online per day.  Question 13 results show that 397 students spend the majority of their time on Facebook, whilst an additional 43 visit Twitter. Comparing these figures would suggest that a large majority of student would spend their 2-3 hour daily internet usage frequenting social networking sites.

Such a high percentage of student use may be attributed to mobile versions of the networks available on smart phones and Android phones- allowing members to access websites 'on the go' would increase website traffic and ensure high user hours.

In addition to highlighting the allocation of my daily internet usage over a ten day period, the data table states the total number of minutes spent on the internet in general (inclusive of blogging and social networking).  Figure 1 shows that I spent a total of 22 hours, 55 minutes (1375 minutes) using the internet across ten days, giving me a daily average of 2 hours and 18 minutes.  This falls within the expected bracket, as shown by question 12 in the survey results (see above).  According to results, 128 students use the internet between 2-3 hours per day.  Due to the nature of this course, it is to be expected that students utilise the features that the internet offers.  Journalists must have an in depth knowledge of the opportunities that can be found online, and use these to their own advantage.

Media Type 4 - Android Phone

 

The use of mobile phones has long since been restricted to sending and receiving basic calls and text messages.  Today, phones can be used to capture and record photos and videos, organise your person schedule, send and receive emails, update your social networking profile, check the weather, receive the news, and countless more features.  For a journalist in the 21st century to succeed, fast delivery of the news and the ability to capture instant footage must be available.  Journalists can now record interviews, and entire reports using a camera phone - editing the footage on location with specific software.  With the number of smart phones and android phones on the rise, journalists will greatly benefit from this latest trend and technological evolution.

I currently own a Samsung Galaxy sII android phone.  I have downloaded many additional applications which allow me to access the internet on the spot, update my blog and Facebook account, upload videos and photos to the internet, check public transport time tables, access my online banking, navigate me around University campus, and hundreds more.

According to figure 1, I spent an accumulative total of 3 hours, 20 minutes (200 minutes) on my phone over ten days.  Despite my extensive list of applications, this does not surprise me.  I prefer to use my phone as a communicative device rather than as a miniature computer.  This is due to my own personal preferences, and my access to an Apple iPad (which I favour as my 'mobile computer' to my Samsung Galaxy sII).

Question 10 of the course survey (see below), shows that 338 students (78.2% of the cohort) own an internet-enabled smart phone or android phone.  Based on current trends, this high figure is to be expected.

Media Type 5 - iPad

In the modern day, technology is no longer confined to a household or wall socket plug (for power).  More and more battery operated devices are being released into the market each year to provide users with continent and relatively inexpensive alternative to desktop computers and now, to the common laptop.

A brief history of the Apple iPad is shown in the infographic below.

I use my iPad regularly as I record all University lecture notes using the relevant app (application). Figure 1 shows that over ten days I used this device for 8 hours, 50 minutes (530 minutes), or an average of 53 minutes per day.  After analysing the survey data shown in question 20 (see below), 347 students within the JOUR 1111 course does not own an E-Reader or tablet.  This place me within 13.7% of students who own an iPad.

Devices like the iPad, and those similar, would greatly benefit journalists if used effectively.  Tablets and E-Readers boast high quality displays and a broad range of available apps - these include those particular to journalism such as video editors, photo editors, voice recorders, and online newspapers.  The virtual books - or E-books, are available only on such products and can provide journalists with the access to thousands of publications at the touch of a button.  iPad's and alternative tablets would greatly aid journalists in the field.

Summary

Denying modern media in the 21st century is no longer an option for professionals.  As businesses and creative firms begin to bridge the gap between the media and daily operations, an in depth understanding of the current trends is required.  Journalists in the present day must understand the many news mediums and how they can be best utilised in the reporting world.

After studying my media usage and production table (as recorded over ten days) and comparing the results to the JOUR1111 survey, it can be deduced that my media use habits fit within the norm of the cohort in almost all fields.

Chapter 1

For a small period of my relatively short life, I worked in a book store. It wasn't much, I simply worked the counter for their mid-season clearance store in the middle of a local shopping centre.  One particular shift, a young mother walked up to me with her two children.  The boy, all of about six years old, had black circular glasses (including a strip of white ‘tape’ to “hold the broke bits together” as he informed me) and a lightening scar painted on his face.  His mum asked if the book store sold the Harry Potter series, confessing that she knew very little about the story at all.  Being a complete Potter fanatic since I could read, I explained how it was the first chapter book that I read and how good the series was.  She thanked me and headed towards the main store to purchase the books.  I didn’t think much of it until she walked past me on her way out, her two kids laden with books.  She saw me and smiled, before announcing that they’d bought the entire series.  I told her how the series was my entire childhood.  She paused, and, in a very sincere tone, said

"Well, you may have just given him his".

When I was seven years old, I believed in magic.
Jo Rowling's 'Harry Potter' was the first novel that I had read by myself and it affected me more profoundly then I could ever have imagined. With the turn of a page, I was introduced to a world of make-believe where (as a young book lover and self confessed know-it-all) I related to the characters and sympathized with their grievances. For hours on end, I would leave behind my second grade existence and immerse myself in the land of dragons, wizards, friendship, and bravery. Literature, for me, has been a form of escapism ever since. I constantly search for new titles, new authors, and new experiences. I want to read a book that will change my life.
 I want to be swept away in the opening line, immersed in the mind of another.
I want the words of someone wiser to effect me so profoundly that I emerge from the pages unrecognizable, a dozen revelations occurring to me at once.
I want a new perspective on life, a greater purpose. 
I want to lose myself in the smell of the pages, feel loss as the characters lose, delight as the world turns right - in the way that only happens in books.
I want to live in that world of certainty, in the world of the unimaginable, the day dreams of the concious. 
I want to exist in the impossible universe created by the weaver of words.
And so I shall.

This year, as my University experience commences, I shall strive to find that place. JOUR1111 poses many new challenges, and honestly? I can't wait. This is what I have been looking for - a chance to investigate; a chance to create.

My name is Kate Sheahan, and this is my life within the Printed Word.