Mobile phone is...
In this information explosion era, everyone
would like to keep track of what is happening in the whole world. Especially
upon the development of the smart phone, people can update themselves even on
the streets. The little devices make the whole world change. As the mobile
phone market is getting larger, more companies are willing to invest money in
the smart phone development of OS and apps. Well-developed interface and
platforms makes these mobile phones a really useful gadget. According to Raessens (2005, p.373), computer games are characterized as a form
of participatory media culture due to three domains: interpretation,
reconfiguration, and construction. Participatory media culture is not limited
to cultural forms such as computer games or to the digital so-called
"new" media. Computer games are remediating the participatory culture
that has formed around media such as film and television. However, Raessens
(2005, p.374) also mentioned that remediation should not be the only focus, but
also the distinguishing, specific characteristics or principles of computer games
as a form of digital media: multimediality, virtuality, interactivity, and
connectivity. Actually, the mobile phone is also a non-game participatory
culture and can be examined in terms of the characteristics of computer games.
(Photo sourced: http://www.babysmiles.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/cell-phone-plans-for-kids-21.jpg)
In terms
of multimediality, mobile phones are at the average level. According to Metz
(cited in Raessens 2005, p.384), multimediality refers to the multitude of
means of expression. The mobile phones share some operation systems (OS), like
IOS and Android. Most of the apps are supported by both IOS and Android, which
are the more popular OS of phones in the market. Unlike computer games, mobile
phones do not “share one common digital code” (Raessens 2005, p.374).
(Photo sourced: http://images.getprice.com.au/products/Bimgnokia-lumia-520-mobile-phone.jpg)
In terms
of virtuality, mobile phones have a low level. Certainly, the virtuality of
mobile phones depends on the apps installed. For some apps, they are
virtual-reality games; users can just build houses or do different tasks with
the little device. However, few online games can be played with mobile phones.
One of the possible reasons is that users may find it hard to explore the
virtual world with the small gadgets.
In terms
of interactivity, the mobile phones could be highly interactive. Especially for
the smart phones, upon using different apps and the Internet, users can simply
interact with the others whenever they want. Many social networks have
developed their own apps, like Facebook, Twitter, Google+, etc. There are even
some tailor-made social network apps for the mobile phones.
In terms
of connectivity, the mobile phones are highly connective. Mobile phones are
originally developed for connecting people. With mobile phones, people can call
and text each other. And now, people can access the Internet and different
social networks with the mobile phones. It helps link up people regardless of
the time and places.
(Photo sourced: http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2011/01/19/1225991/174160-mobile-phone.jpg)
The
participatory media culture can be applied to different media forms that we use
nowadays. In the other words, the media forms that we used these days are
sharing the similar characteristics. They all mutually support the development
of each other and interact with each other. These should be the main direction
of future development.
Reference
Raessens, J 2005, 'Computer games as
participatory media culture' in Raessen, J & Goldstein, J, Handbook of
computer game studies, MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass, pp. 373-388.
It is good that you explained concept and characteristics of participatory culture using Raessens' reading, though it seems more like a summary. But I like how you linked that with mobile phones which flow smoothly. You clearly discuss multimediality, virtuality, interactivity and connectivity found in mobile phone. It will be better if you back up your discussion with more readings, but you did well in using reading to explain definition of ‘multimediality’ which many readers might not understand. The images is well-chosen, especially the first one, which illustrated the pervasiveness of mobile phone culture.
回覆刪除hi there, you managed to give a satisfactory understanding in relation to this weeks reading. You confidently used relevant quotations to support your argument and it gave a more in depth idea on the innovation of new technologies in relation to mobile phone usage. You explained the characteristics of the participatory culture well by drawing closely to Raessens' readings. I would however consider revising some sentences, and use more powerful words to engage your readers. Also, it would have been nice to see you use more personal accounts in relation to this blog topic. Over all, great work.
回覆刪除