Contemporary Media Consumption in
the Home
A study on the media habits of two households
Jesse Hynes
Hannah McMonagle
Word Count:
Tutor:
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4169
Nino Miletovic
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This research study explores and examines household media
consumption, in particular, individual and group relationships to
different media devices and how their daily routines, the domestic space
and their gender affect or support these relationships. Two Australian
households were analysed, totalling eight participants, using qualitative
ethnographic based methods. Participant observation and in-depth
interviews revealed the strong personal connection individuals had to
particular devices and platforms as well as an ingrained reliance on
media to structure, enhance and guide social experiences within a
household. As technology continues to rapidly advance, multi-tasking
and connectedness with various media devices and texts is an obvious
part of all participants’ lives. However, data gained was limited in
accuracy because of scope and scale and further studies should aim to
broaden and diversify the participants involved.
Table of Contents
3
1.0 Introduction
3
2.0 Literature Review
4
3.0 Research Methods
5
3.1 Participant Observation
5
3.2 Interviews
5
5
4.0 Analysis and Findings
4.1 Temporal Rhythms
6
4.1.1 Dominant media platforms and daily structure
7
4.1.2 New Media’s affect on traditional temporal rhythms
8
4.1.3 TV programming schedules vs. online release date
9
4.2 Domestic Space
9
4.2.1 Private vs. Public Consumption
10
4.2.2 Modern Devices & Processes
11
4.2.3 Significance of the Television
12
4.3 Gender
13
4.3.1 Guilty and negative media consumption
14
4.3.2 Embracing new technologies
14
5.0 Limitations and Recommendations
14
5.1 Limitations
15
5.4 Recommendations
15
6.0 Conclusion
16
7.0 References
17
8.0 Appendix
1.0 Introduction:
The purpose of this ethnographic study was to either support or argue the
continuing relevance of Schroder’s statement in 2003:
“The contemporary and future media audience is more aptly
characterized as a semiotic juggler, keeping many communicative
balls in the air, and frequently throwing them to and receiving them
from other real and virtual jugglers. The notion frequently used to
encapsulate this state of affairs is interactivity,” (Schroder, 2003).
In order to successfully understand the state of interactivity the modern media
audience is apart of a research methodology heavily influenced by uses and
gratifications theory was developed. The research developed its focus in
coherence with the increasingly popular focuses of media and communications
research, “from a concern with TV’s effects upon behaviour to its uses and
gratifications; from a focus on the political and ideological role of TV to an
examination of popular pleasures and audience interpretations in specific social
and cultural contexts,” (Gillespie, 1995).
The ethnographic approach was chosen as it facilitates “techniques for observing
audience behaviours to accurately capture contextual aspect of media usage,”
(Sullivan, 2013). Two households were observed for two-hour periods on Sunday
evenings, and the participants subsequently interviewed for a more in-depth
analysis.
The data was separated into three categories for the discussion and analysis of
the findings: temporal rhythms, domestic space, and gender. These three
categories were used to examine how specific aspects of each impact
household’s and individual’s media habits.
2.0 Literature Review:
As media audience research studies evolved throughout the 1970’s, results that
were gathered began to reflect a deeper understanding of individual’s connection
to media texts. Theorists utilized a uses and gratifications approach as
foundations for their research, aiming to explore how and why individuals used
media (Sullivan 2013, p. 108). Ethnography becomes a vital method within
research practice to overcome the limitations and inaccuracies of previous
audience studies (Gillespie 1995, p. 54). Ethnographic studies rely on qualitative
research methods to gain an in-depth observation of audience behaviours
towards contextual aspects of media use (Sullivan 2013, p. 162). Many research
studies that followed this framework explored reception analysis of media texts
within the household dynamic, focusing especially on television.
To thoroughly understand the evolving relationships households have with media
use, in particular regards to their daily routines, household spaces and gender
relating to their consumption, this study drew comparative results from three
ethnographic household media studies to examine the ways in which modern
media has changed interactivity with media texts and devices. The first to
conduct a uses and gratification based study on media within the household,
James Lull’s 1978 ethnographic television study aimed to examine the social
uses of television within family households (Lull 1978, p. 197). By using
participant observation, Lull gathered results that highlighted television’s
importance on socialization within the household, claiming that ”common social
instances of media consumption can be viewed as delicate and situated
accomplishments created by the persons involved” (Lull 1978, p. 198).
As the “traditional” television began to change as media technology advanced,
audience’s relationships with this central household media began to also evolve.
David Morley’s study Family Television, conducted in 1986, highlights the
beginning of these changes as recording devices; VCR’s and video game
consoles became increasingly popular within the domestic environment. This
study explores the relationships households held with programming decisions, in
particular the degrees of attention, commitment and responses to certain
programs (Morley 1986, p. 50).
The third point of comparison is to Welsh researchers Mackay and Ivey and the
2004 study Modern Media in the Home. Drawing upon both participant
observation and in-depth interviewing methods, this ethnographic study decoded
data into categories of analysis, including temporal rhythms, domestic space and
gender to deepen the understanding of household’s relationship to media
consumption (Mackay & Ivey 2004, p. 107). They found an overwhelming
connection to these categories’ presence in constructing reception,
understanding and analysis within household groups and individual participants.
3.0 Research Methods:
This study depended on participant observation and interviews to gather
information on two households’ media usage. Lull’s study “paid careful attention
to the role that the social context of the family played in individuals uses of the
television…which allowed him to consider the role that social interactions and
interpersonal relationships played in shaping media uses,” (Sullivan, 2013). This
study developed a research method that permitted similar understandings to
Lull’s. However focussing on all media consumption and interactivity rather than
television-specific behaviour. The reliance on self-reports as a main form of
research is also similar to Blumer’s methodology during the Payne Studies
(Sullivan, 2013).
This study consisted of the observation of two households’ media usage, and
then individual interviews with each participant. The two households were of very
different demographics to ensure a range of media habits for observation. The
demographics of the houses were as follows:
Household Members
Age Relation
Gender
1
Brittany Meale
Irene Meale
James Meale
21
45
49
Daughter
Female
Step-mother Female
Father
Male
2
Pat Guerrera
Liam Cassidy
Harrison Tang
Saagar Chandra
James Ward
20
20
22
19
19
Roommate
Roommate
Roommate
Friend
Friend
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
3.1 Participant Observation
The participant observations were recorded as field notes. The observation lasted
two hours on a Sunday evening from 7pm to 9pm. The aim of the observation
was directed by Marie Gillespie’s notion that, “field notes aim at an accurate and
factual account of specific observations and experiences and follow a thematic or
a)
b)
c)
d)
topical categorisation,” (Gillespie, 1995). The notes focussed around recording
four things:
Individual media usage
Group media usage
Interaction with people in the same physical space
Interaction with people in the same virtual space
The observations were detailed and provided information crucial for the analysis
aspect of this study.
3.2 Interviews
The interviews were semi-structured person-to-person individual interviews. This
structure was developed from Gillespie’s idea; “The term ethnography has come
to be associated with one method in social research, the in-depth, open-ended,
semi-structured interview,” (Gillespie, 1995). Each interview had an eightquestion guide that it centred around (see appendix). The interview was flexible
so interviewers could ask superfluous questions unique to each participant. The
aim of this was to understand their personal media habits in depth, rather than
develop an understanding of the group’s media habits superficially. Each
interview provided different information and extended the understanding of the
participant’s media habits.
4.0 Analysis & Findings:
4.1 Temporal Rhythms
The concept of routines and rituals as important creators of media consumption
patterns for individuals has been acknowledged throughout media audience
studies since the introduction of such technology. Traditional media has played a
leading role in the structure of daily routine and time schedules, however in
today’s contemporary era these routines and rituals are transforming (Mackay &
Ivey 2004, p. 108). The evolution of portable and “all encompassing” personal
devices have made it entirely possible and common place to juggle between
texts, devices and engagement. This new audience relationship has changed the
act of watching television to also accompany multiple other devices and activities
at the same time, making multitasking a standard and almost necessary feature
of the audience experience - challenging previous understandings of household
temporal rhythms (Sullivan 2013, p. 172).
4.1.1 Dominant media platforms and daily structure
While observing both households, it was obvious to see that a lot of the time the
communal group spent accessing media together was for it to act as a
background setting, creating ambience and tone for specific times of the daily
routine and encouraged groups to share communally. Mackay and Ivey’s study
found that household temporal rhythms with media naturalise, stabilise and
structure the day (Mackay & Ivey 2004, p. 107).
“In the mornings too, the radio will be on but we never watch
television in the mornings, we’ll connect with the Internet a bit with
the news and things like that” (James Meale 2014, appendix).
Household one reflected a much more defined and traditional connection to
media and structure throughout the day. All individuals within household one
worked throughout the week or studied full time; this was an indicator that
recurring and defined routines with media consumption occurred when daily
schedules were structurally organised. This was evident in the contrast with
household two, as a group of young men that were studying or working part time,
meaning that their daily schedules were subject to change. A temporal media
pattern emerged from all members in the presence of basic interactions, such as
checking phone’s in the morning, however routine interactions on a much more
commonly occurring scale was not evident.
Temporal rhythms surrounding media were also common in structuring the day
ahead and providing a form of orientation for households and individuals (Mackay
& Ivey 2004, p. 113). Both households practiced this, more obviously in the
mornings, by accessing certain types of texts as a way of easing themselves into
the day.
“I’m into formula one so I check that because they’re all international
websites so they would be the first things that I would check in the
morning. The formula one news happens overnight because it’s
European. So it’s all there fresh in the morning” (James Meale 2014,
appendix).
“I usually wait until I’m in the city with a coffee reading the paper to
do my routine of checking all of my social media and e-mails.”
(Harrison Tang 2014, appendix).
4.1.3 New Media’s affect on traditional temporal rhythms
Generational differences also hold spotlight as a key determination of media
consumption patterns (Mackay & Ivey 2004, p. 107). With infinite choice of
content accessible at any available time on a variety of different devices and
platforms, this then decreases the urgency to be in front of the television at any
scheduled time, disembedding the media use from the time constraints of
scheduling (Mackay & Ivey 2004, p. 114). This even leads to traditional television
use becoming obsolete, in the particular case of household 2, therefore changing
temporal rhythms to fit with new media’s integration with traditional platforms.
Household two didn’t have any channels however the television was still the focal
point of household meetings. They used their television for playing music or
connecting with their laptops to watch a streamed program.
This convergence between new and traditional media was obvious even in a
much more traditional, older household like household one. Even though normal
channels were regularly accessed, it was noted that a portable hard drive was left
connected to the television, containing downloaded programs for easy
interchangeability. It is evident that new media technologies are evolving
traditional media into much more convenient and user driven platforms.(Mackay
& Ivey 2004, p. 115).
“There was something that came up on the TV and so I Googled
that. So yeah I use that a lot to, if I’m not sure of something I’ll
quickly Google it on my phone” (Brittany Meale 2014, appendix ).
This interchanging between television’s structured time frames and new media’s
ability to create structure, examines temporal arrangements ongoing
transformation (Mackay & Ivey 2004, p. 108). While a generational shift is
evident, with younger audiences adapting to the greater intrusion of more media
technologies within the home (Sullivan 2013, p. 173), the mobile phone is a
device that resulted in connections that disregarded generations within this study.
Individuals phones were always available to access, even to connect to media
that used to belong to a traditional media platform, reversing the concepts of
highly structured schedules for consuming different types of media.
“My phone is everywhere. I just walk around with it” (Brittany Meale
2014, appendix).
“My phone’s just right there” (Liam Cassidy 2014, appendix).
“When I’m at my desk I have access to the Internet and the phone’s
always at my desk so I have access to that anytime as well.” (James
Meale 2014 appendix).
When asked about being constantly connected to media: “Not always, but usually
I’m always relatively close to it – I might not check my phone because I don’t hear
it for an hour or two but eventually I’ll check it” (Patrick Guerrera 2014, appendix).
4.1.4 TV programming schedules vs. online release dates
An interesting question was raised in regards to what kinds of programmes are
viewed on television programming schedules and why individuals chose to watch
others on new media devices - within online release dates. With the concept of
‘Time shifting’ being so common and accessible, viewers can choose to watch
their favourite shows at more convenient times and on a variety of platforms
(Sullivan 2013, p. 165), why were there still instances of household viewing
programmes within a much more ‘traditional’ and ‘unempowering’ schedule?
“If it’s Monday night I know there’s a new Game of Thrones episode,
I’ll watch it on my laptop. Where as if it is shows that are already
broadcast on TV, um where as I watch like Elementary and I think the
biggest change is if I’m watching it with someone else. Like Game of
Thrones I watch by myself, on my laptop in my room, but Elementary
I watch with Dad and Irine, so we sit at the TV and watch it together”
(Brittany Meale 2014, appendix ).
When interviewer asked Brittany how this communal vs. private, traditional vs.
new media decision was made within the household, she explained that:
“Sunday is probably the only night that it really happens (communal
television watching), there’s always a new episode of Modern Family
and we all like that so we’ll all watch that together, same with
Elementary.” (Brittany Meale 2014, appendix).
It could be easy to dismiss this aspect as issues of taste between individuals, but
television shows like Game of Thrones or Suits were enjoyed by all participants in
household one, but always watched separately. Marie Gillespie determines this
as certain kinds of programs, such as soaps, have become ritual social events in
which people talk about the programme before, during and after viewing
(Gillespie 1995, p. 56). This is entirely identifiable in the observation of household
one during the communal viewing of comedy program Modern Family. This
weekly event was much looked forward to as the whole family was visibly excited.
While they were mostly quietly engrossed in the text, as soon as the commercial
breaks began, discussion would start immediately. Perhaps the decision for these
communal viewings was a mixture of appropriate timing, comfortable and easily
digestible content as well as the obvious bonding experience shows such as
Modern Family created. After decades of being promoted in this way the
television has become the staple media of most communal living rooms. It is
important to note, “although the TV is usually controlled by one person, it is
clearly a medium that supports social interaction in the domestic setting,”
(Tsekleves, Witham, Kondo, & Hill, 2009).
4.2 Domestic Space
This section investigates media consumption and communication in two spaces
of occupation: physical space, and personal virtual space. For the purposes of
this section ‘personal virtual space’ refers to being engaged online, to every
manner of occupying a virtual space. This section will discuss how the domestic
environment impacts media consumption. There were three ways in which the
domestic space of a situation was seen to affect its inhabitant’s media usage.
These were: the private vs. public nature of consumption, the modern
communicative devices and processes that are emerging, and the centrality of
the television as a unifying and conversational device in the household. The
perspective that frames this section can be introduced by Shaun Moores
statement in 2004, “our ‘presence’ in the virtual space of the online world exists
side-by-side with our physical presence in another space … experiencing a
‘doubling’ of space,” (Sullivan, 2013). This statement reflects the notion that new
media technologies allow people to access different “spaces” simultaneously,
existing in a state of almost constant interactivity.
4.2.1 Private vs. Public Consumption
The first aspect of domestic space discovered to affect media consumption and
interactivity was the ways in which people interact with private and public spaces.
Traditionally, public and private spaces were clearly defined and separate. ‘Public
spaces’ refer to virtual or physical spaces in which there are no clear barriers
excluding others from participating. ‘Private spaces’ refer to areas with clear
barriers designed to facilitate private communication. These barriers could be a
physical wall or door, or a virtual barrier designed to permit privatised online
interaction. Sullivan noted a way of creating a private space is to engage
individually with a device, or adopt another technology to permit further distance
from public surroundings, (i.e. headphones) (Sullivan, 2013). This study
specifically explored how new media technologies are changing the way private
and public spaces allow people to interact with each other.
Sullivan (2013) noted the importance of new media technologies is in their ability
to “provide instantaneous links between our private, domestic world and the world
outside,” (Sullivan, 2013). Shaun Moores also noted that new media technologies
enable people to fully occupy these two spaces at the same time; not partially
occupy one space, and partially occupy another (Sullivan, 2013). These
allowances permit individuals to communicate with a number of others, virtually
or physically, simultaneously.
This notion was supported by the findings from both households. In household
one the occupation of a public space and personal virtual space was most utilised
by Brittany. The youngest of the household, Brittany frequently used her phone
as a method of entering a private virtual space in frequent intervals, while
simultaneously watching TV with the other members of the household. The
participant observation noted Brittany on Facebook on her phone, reading
lifestyle articles and blog posts, while talking to her parents about her weekend.
The older members, Irene and James, seemed more adept to devoting their
attention to a specific platform, or space, at a time.
Household two’s members, more similar in demographic to Brittany than her
parents, were all observed to be occupying a public and private space. The most
significant displays of this were when:
o Pat was involved in the communal conversation, sitting in the living room
with all other household members, and also using his laptop to do an
assignment and go on Facebook.
o 4 out of 5 of the household members were engaged on their personal
mobile devices playing the same game, and conversing about it in the
public space between rounds.
These examples of hopping between a public and private space show how new
media audiences are acting in a more engaged, interactive way. These
processes wouldn’t exist without the modern technologies and behaviours that
have developed within media audiences.
4.2.2 Modern Devices & Processes
Developing devices are facilitating new actions and new behaviours to emerge as
a part of individual’s media landscape. As noted by Sullivan, “in households, high
levels of technology allow for evening entertainment at home using a whole range
of different devices in one space,” (Sullivan, 2013). The ability to use multiple
devices at once, some in cohesion with others, extends the range of
communication processes people are exposed to. Modern devices and process
were observed to impact:
a) How household members interact with each other
b) How household members interact with the external world
c) How household members consume media (individually and group
situations)
Modern devices allow people to personally tailor their media experience to what
works for them personally. For example, the development of downloading
programs online has permitted a time-space distanciation, allowing individuals to
control when and how they consume media. Both households download films and
shows from the Internet, uploaded them to hard-drives, and then have them
available to consume whenever via individual or communal devices. This allows
the household members to choose if they want to consume media in private or
public, and where they have to be to consume the media.
During the observation of household two one of the most significant observations
was the use of a Facebook “group” for its members to communicate. The group
was used for conversation and as a means of sharing media between both
physically and virtually present bodies simultaneously. This is a type of new
media technology that is enhancing how people can communicate and interact,
and further establishes a state of interactivity. The members of the household all
receive notifications on their Facebook accounts and their mobile devices,
ensuring they are almost always connected to one another.
4.3 Gender
In comparison to many other media habit studies, this study did not find a strong
correlation between gender and media consumption. It is understood that “there
are not inherently “masculine” or ‘feminine” technologies, but that the
technologies can become gendered through their social construction within the
home environment,” (Sullivan, 2013). Both houses observed were not overly
divisive gender-wise,
resulting in a lack of
determined ‘male
technologies/behaviours’ and ‘female technologies/behaviours’. The findings
instead pointed more toward a generational divide dictating how media is
consumed, however the study was not done in enough depth to fully understand
the link between age and media consumption.
4.3.1 Guilty and negative media consumption
Although in many past studies such as Mackay and Ivey’s and Morley’s there
was direct correlation to gender in viewing amounts regarding the television, that
males watched far more television than their female partners (Morley 1986, p.
154); this concept has seemingly disappeared in the young generation of avid
media users. However, the theme of guilt and negativity regarding media
consumption was still somewhat present. Mackay and Ivey found a recurring
pattern of deprecating television for it’s negative affect on the family and
everyday life (Mackay & Ivey 2004, p. 127). They found that women more
commonly regarded television viewing habits with negativity and while new media
technologies were much more prevalent within this study, there was still common
ground over women’s identification of media consumption with negative
implications. The males interviewed in this study seemly referred to their constant
media use with little emotion for implications.
When asked whether he had any personal restrictions for media:
“Not really – unless I’m working. That’s only if it’s enforced by another
party, if it were up to me I’d always be online and accessible”
(Harrison Tang 2014, appendix).
“Yeah if I’m not with my phone and I’m on the computer I’ll have
Facebook open in the background” (Liam Cassidy 2014, appendix).
This was an overwhelming contrast to the reflects the women gave during the
interviews, as individual and societies use of media was met with concern and
negativity. There was also an element of control over certain media when there
was the possibility of negative impact.
“For me, it’s sometimes good and sometimes really frustrating. But
James and I went to Cradle Mountain for a couple of days, no TV,
no phone and we loved it. We’ve been to a couple of places where
there’s no phone, no TV and it’s great... I think we’ve just become
so used to having all this technology at our fingertips, we’ve
forgotten how to really connect with people. It’s easier to text and
communicate and it’s almost soulless, you’re not really talking to
somebody” (Irine Meal 2014, appendix ).
“Um, I think I definitely suffer from ‘phomo’, I just want to see what
people are doing. I’m very particular about what I post. I try to be
very discerning about what I do and don’t put on there, so that in the
future I can get more followers and you know go to a job, things like
that. Where as other people just do it for fun” (Brittany Meale 2014,
appendix ).
5.0 Limitations and Recommendations:
5.1 Limitations
This study had a number of methodological and external-influence-caused
limitations. The scope of the study was problematic due to the study being short
in nature. Pike noted, “Anthropological ethnography requires long-term immersion
and investigation: eighteen months is the standard length of fieldwork required to
attain the ‘emic’ or ‘native’ point of view,” (Gillespie, 1995). The participant
observation lasted two hours due to the limits of the study. A longer observation
of media usage would have enabled a more detailed analysis, more first-hand
observations, and relied less heavily on self-reports. This would have reduced the
problems of self-censoring, forgetting, or recalling information incorrectly
impacting the findings of the report.
Another methodological problem was identified in Gillespie’s Television, Ethnicity,
and Cultural Change (1995), “completely accurate ethnographic data reflecting
individuals relationships with media can hardly be grasped through a series of
one-off ‘in-depth’ interviews or brief periods of observation,” (Gillespie, 1995).
Here Gillespie taps into the notion that interviews cannot gather completely
accurate information. This is due to the limited amount of time and depth they go
into, and the fact that media usage patterns are very developed systems needing
extensive time to study and comprehend (Gillespie, 1995).
5.2 Recommendations
Highlighting the limitations within this study and the problematic accuracy of data
gathered, recommendations for future research start with this studies major issue
of scoping. A much wider sample of participant households is needed to
accurately reflect on the media consumption of ‘nationwide’ households. As all
the comparative studies pointed out within their participant observation data
reliability, the presence of a researcher or video-capturing devices within a
household environment of course problematizes the essence of organic
relationships. Recommendations to overcome this issue would be to follow Marie
Gillespie’s ethnographic study of media and culture connections within household
method. She sought to ‘become’ part of the families by extending her data
collection over 2 years and actively creating close personal relationships with
participants. This lead to much more in-depth and natural data to be analysed.
6.0 Conclusion:
Through the analysis of both primary and secondary data Schroder’s 2003
statement has been found as still relevant to today’s emerging media audiences.
The ethnographic study of two households paired with external research of
previous media studies has found that the emerging media audience is adopting
their own media habits in an ever-increasing state of interactivity. The integration
and growth of new media technologies is facilitating individuals developing their
own media patterns, so media consumption is not universal but individual to each
person. It was clear however, that the developing modes of interaction and media
consumption are universally creating a more interactive audience who frequently
communicate with others, both physical and virtual in presence.
References:
Sullivan,
J. L. 2013. Media Audiences: Effects, Users, Institutions, and Power.
California: SAGE Publications, Inc.
Gillespie, M. 1995. Television, Ethnicity and Cultural Change. London: Routledge.
Lull, J. 1978. “The Social Uses of Television.” Human Communication Research 6
(3): 197 - 209.
Morley, D. 1986. Family Television: Cultural Power and Domestic Leisure. London:
Comedia Publishing Group.
Mackay, H. & Ivey, D. 2004. Modern Media in the Home. Rome: John Libbey
Publishing.
Gregg, Melissa. 2011. Work’s Intimacy. Malden: Polity Press.
Tsekleves, E., Witham, R., Kondo, K., & Hill, A. (2009). Bringing the Television
Experience to other Media in the Home: An Ethnographic Study. Lancaster
University. Westminster: EuroITV.
Appendix:
Household 1
Field Notes:
7:00pm – 7:30pm
Modern Family, eating dinner sitting around the TV together, really looking
forward to the show starting (highlight of the night).
Everyone’s mobile phones are close by but are put to the side while this show in
on, Brit only checks hers now and then. During ad breaks everyone catches up
with their week, what they did on the weekend, chatting about current affairs and
personal stories. Very engaged with program, brief conversations during the
show – about the show. Other conversations are left until ad breaks.
Excited about the special premier of Modern Family (the wedding) talking about
everyone being at home ready to watch it all together. Talking about whether they
want to watch their favourite shows when they air on TV or whether they should
download them as soon as they’re released.
Talking about other TV shows (Suits) and where they’re up to, how they feel
about what’s happening in the show.
**Changed channels – didn’t want to watch Masterchef
7:30pm – 8:11pm
The Voice (started watching halfway through)
Deciding what to watch next, during the space between modern family and the
next show they want to watch.
Decided to watch The Voice. Brittany more engrossed in her phone, but still
watching bits and commenting on what’s going on. Parents are interested in the
program but talk a lot about the show, what the judges are wearing, talking about
other TV shows and what’s happening in the most recently watched episode
(Breaking Bad)
Not interested in any newsbreaks, talking about personal life goings on.
Brits on Facebook on her phone, reading lifestyle articles, blog posts, while
talking to her parents about her weekend stories – at the same time.
(As soon as Modern Family started again after the ads all conversations ended
as everyone was very engrossed in the show) As soon as The Voice starts
parents are still talking to each other, Brit is still on her phone. Half engaged with
the show, on and off conversation amongst each other about the show, brit talks
about an interview she saw with Will I Am (judge on The Voice).
Meerkat ad engaged everyone interest (Brit- “I haven’t seen this one!”), family
follows these ads.
Brit talking about the show, why is it so dramatic? So many sob stories instead of
just watching them sing. Parents commenting on he contestants lip ring.
Parents both looking at step mums iPhone briefly, laughing about a friend. Brit
still on her phone. Clearing the table during the ads.
Parents commenting on contestants appearance, body language – step mum
voices her dislike at the dramatic moments > contestants wife running on stage,
dramatic hug, the fact that this contestants segment has gone on for much longer
than other contestants have had.
**No change of channel, waiting for Elementary to come one, filling time until it
comes on.
8:12pm – 8:35pm
60 Minutes (interview with Ricky Martin – judge on The Voice)
Talking indepthly about the journalist/interviewer Liz Hayes. About how she’s
conducting the interview, not fans of her – commenting on her lack of hard hitting
interview skills. Talking about other interview she has conducted in the past.
Family is very engaged in the show, chatting about Ricky Martin, his video clips.
Interview includes segments from The Voice – last year’s show and a contestant
that he mentored and is now working as a back up singer during his tour.
Discussion about his sexual orientation. Everyone is really quiet during the
segment that he talks about ‘coming out’ – emotional moment.
Ads during this show keep the family engaged, brief comments about the
companies the ads are for and the look of the ads themselves.
Lengthy discussion about Jamie Oliver’s ad, being a spokes person for
Woolworths. Brit explains what Jamie Oliver is planning to do in business with
Woolworths, brief talks about caged eggs and free range chickens.
** Changed channel as the Ricky Martin interview was loosing their interest.
8:35pm – 9:00pm
Masterchef
Filler until Elementary comes on. Show acts as background noise as the family
isn’t completely engrossed in the programme. Gets them all starting to talk about
good new restaurants around their area and their favourite meals, good food they
have recently eaten. Irine talks passionately about the quality of the food on the
show – she is really interested in cooking. She then picks up her phone and
scrolls through her iPhone for a while before passing it over to her husband to put
it on the couch’s arm.
***Discussion about understanding/and being open to new media technologies
being linked to the amount of exposure each individuals had to developing media
platforms and trends. Noticed that the more your workplace worked with
technology, the more open you were to the changing media and the easier it was
to quickly understand and keep up with this media.
9:00pm – n/a
Elementary
Household becomes again fully engaged and engrossed in TV show that they’ve
been waiting to watch, phones are put aside to direct all attention to TV set.
OBSERVATIONS
· Portable hard drive plugged into TV set, holds downloaded episodes of favourite
TV shows. Downloaded from internet (James and Irine were taught how to
download torrents by their daughter Brittany) individually by everyone and
transferred to portable hard drive which is regularly left plugged into TV set for
easy access to viewing.
· Household talked about understanding/and being open to new media
technologies being linked to the amount of exposure each individuals had to
developing media platforms and trends. Noticed that the more your workplace
worked with technology, the more open you were to the changing media and the
easier it was to quickly understand and keep up with this media.
Interviews:
Brittany Meale
 What media platform do you most connect and identify with?
Probably my phone, I’m very connected to my phone. I can be on my computer watching something but
i’ll also still be on my phone, or I can be watching TV and still be on my phone. And just before I go to
bed I look at my phone, as soon as I wake up I look at my phone.
 Why do you think it’s your phone that you’re the most connected to?
Because you can do multiple things on it, so I can be texting people, or I can go onto Facebook or
instagram, if I see a funny picture I can screen shot it and text it to them. I can check my emails, I can
check my work time, set reminders, alarms and everything. So there’s a lot happening on there at once.
 What media platform do you use the most in the morning?
In the morning probably just my phone because - it depends what i’m doing - if I have plans when I get
up, it’ll just be my phone to turn off my alarm and check my emails, Facebook, Instagram and text
messages in the morning while I’m having breakfast. But if it’s a lazy day then I’ll sit in front of the TV for
a few hours.
 What media platform do you use the most during the day?
It again depends what I’m doing. If i’m at work I can’t use media at all because in retail on the shop floor
you can’t have anything on you, so on my break I’ll just check my phone or read a magazine. But if i’m
at home i’ll either be on my laptop doing uni work or downloading stuff to watch or watching things that I
might have recorded on Foxtel or watching a movie on the TV. If I’m at Uni it’s a combination of my
phone and my laptop to do uni work and then I’m looking at my phone as a bit of procrastination.
 What media platform do you use the most at night?
The nights that I’m at home, when I’m not working, just TV and phone - otherwise i’m at work so I’ll just
look at my phone occasionally because that job is a little bit more free, so I’ll have a little look at my
phone when there’s quiet periods.


Why does this change/why doesn't it change?
Why the change between platforms and specific activity? (Downloading stuff on laptop vs.
watching stuff on TV)
I think it just depends on the type of program, if it’s Monday night I know there’s a new Game of Thrones
episode, I’ll sit on my laptop and watch it on my laptop. Where as if it is shows that are already
broadcast on TV, Game of Thrones is only on Foxtel, um where as I watch like Elementary and i think
the biggest change is if I’m watching it with someone else. Like Game of Thrones I watch by myself, on
my laptop in my room, but Elementary I watch with Dad and Irine (Stepmother), so we sit at the TV
together and watch it together.
 And your dad and Irine don’t watch Game of Throne?
They do but um, just at different times. Because I’m sometimes at my mum’s so… And Irine is a bit
behind.

And what do you think makes it so that everyone wants to sit down, communally and watch a
TV show? What are the elements involved in that? Is there a decision amongst everyone about
what TV show you’ll all sit down together and watch?
Sunday is probably the only night that it really happens, there’s always a new episode of Modern Family
and we all like that so we’ll all watch that together, same with Elementary. But there’s other nights
where, if for example it’s a Wednesday night, there’s not really much that anyone wants to watch on.
Top Gear is on and my dad likes to watch that so me and Irine will watch that, or if it’s something that
Irine wants to watch I’ll watch it too but i’ll be looking at my phone or just go to bed early or something.

What do you think your favourite media platform(s) says about you as a person and your
personality?
Um, I think I definitely suffer from ‘phomo’, I just want to see what people are doing. I think mostly on my
phone, I’m either looking at Instagram, which is obviously very visual, so just a quick look at pictures. I
don’t just follow friends, I follow celebrities and fashion designers and stuff like that, magazines, things
like that. Where as if i’m looking at Facebook, I’m more likely to be looking at articles that like Pedestrian
or The Vine and stuff like that are posting, and watching the videos that are in there, like Jennifer
Lawrence was in a chat show and said something funny; rather than reading actual people’s statuses
and stuff and then unless I get a notification as well. So I guess the other aspect as well of looking at my
phone is being social.
 How much would you say you’re connected to the social aspect of media?
I probably look, It’s probably 7 times out of 10 that I’m looking and only 3 times out of 10 that I’m actually
posting. I like a lot more things than I do comment or really engage. Yeah sort of more an observing roll
rather than really getting in there and commenting on things and posting things myself.
 Why is that? Why do you take more of an observer approach?
I think it’s because I don’t like to overshare, so I don’t often have a lot that I want to post. With Instagram
I think, because of what I’d like to do as a job (Media Industry), I’m very particular about what I post. So I
try to be very discerning about what I do and don’t put on there and make sure it’s a good quality photo,
so that in the future I can get more followers and you know go to a job, things like that. Where as other
people just do it for fun so it’s just taking a selfie or whatever.
 What kind of things were you looking at on your phone tonight?
Um, I checked Facebook and Instagram a couple of times, I read a couple of articles and I shared an
article that I liked with another friend. Um… and then there was something that came up on the TV and
we wanted to know where Ricky Martin was from and so I googled that. So yeah I use that a lot to, if I’m
not sure of something and if something comes up in conversation I’ll quickly Google it on my phone… to
settle disputes.
 Are there any places or times that are off limits to media use?
If we sit down at the table to have dinner phones aren’t… well our phones will be near us but we try to
not use them or they’re just away, they’re not on the table. But other than that, my phone is everywhere.
I just walk around with it

No.
And what about you personally? Is there anywhere that would be anywhere that would be off
limits for you using your phone or any other media?
Irine Meale
 What media platform do you most connect and identify with?
I think it would be a combination of all of them, mostly online, so probably my computer and my phone
because I have a phone with emails, so probably Iphone and computer mostly.
 What media platform do you use the most in the morning?
Computer.
 What sort of content would you be looking at in the morning?
Mostly the news.
 What media platform do you use the most during the day, say on a working week?
Google, checking emails mostly on my work computer.
 What about on the weekends?
Same thing, checking emails and the news.

What media platform do you use the most at night?
TV.
 Why do you think there’s that change between your computer and then to your TV at night?
I don’t know… when we spend time together we’re in front of the TV but mostly talking. I don’t know,
maybe it’s mindless?

What do you think all these platforms say about you as a person, what sort of image do you
portray by being connected to those different sorts of media?
A lot of it’s habit because I rely on computers for my work so I think it becomes almost habitual to check
email and just be online, even on weekends. Whether you mean to or not, it’s just because it’s an
extension of what you’ve been doing during the week so sometimes there’s no off switch. I don’t know
what that says about us… or about me…
 Are you on any social media?
No. I used to about 8 years ago.
 Why was there the change?
I was just never on there.

As a family, are there any times that are restricted for media use or limited for media use?
No.
 Is there anywhere for you personally that certain media is restricted or limited?
Well, if we sit down and have a meal during the week, we don’t sit in front of the TV and there are
generally no phones, there’s just us. When we’re in Tasmania (visiting family), because we can’t get
phone reception down there so I guess that generally restricts, it’s forced restriction but generally
speaking if we’re here having a meal at a table, we don’t have phones. It’s almost an unwritten rule.
 Why is that an unsaid rule that phones aren’t allowed at the table?
Because it interferes with communication.

What’s the difference when you have media and your phone all the time here and then not
having that reception in Tasmania, what’s that change like?
For me, it’s sometimes good and sometimes really frustrating. But James and I went to Cradle Mountain
for a couple of days, no phone reception up there and it was brilliant. So no TV, no phone and we loved
it. We’ve been to a couple of places where there’s no phone, no TV and it’s great.
 Why is that great for you?
I think we’ve just become so used to having all this technology at our fingertips, we’ve forgotten how to
really connect with people. It’s easier to text and communicate and it’s almost soulless, you’re not really
talking to somebody, just pick up the phone rather than text.
James Meale
 What media platform do you most connect and identify with?
Probably a computer, with the internet, mostly… and then television… and then social - internet - ah
with my phone I guess. Probably in that order.
 Is that a laptop or a desktop computer that you would use?
It would be the laptop here (at home) or the desktop at work.
 What do you use the most? Out of all three of the platforms that you mentioned?
30% each for the television and the laptop, then the last 40% would probably be my phone.
 What media platform do you use the most in the morning?
Internet, so the laptop.
 And what sort of things are you looking at on the internet in the mornings?
That would be the news usually, the sport that i’m into. I’m into formula one so I check that because
they’re all international websites and there’s a couple of those that I check so they would be the first
things that I would check in the morning. The formula one news happens overnight in Australia because
it’s European it’s all overnight. So it’s all there fresh in the morning.
 Is there any other platforms that you use in the morning?
The phone, because the phone is beside my bed. Mostly on a weekend if you wake up and you don’t
have to get up, I’ll pick the phone up in bed and check the same things out but just on the phone.
 What media platform do you use the most during the day, say the working week?
It would be the desktop at work.
 What about on the weekends during the day?
The laptop.
 What media platform do you use the most at night?
That would be the television.
 Would it just be watching television at night?
No, sometimes the phone is there and I’ll check the phone, again with formula one because it’s
European it races in the night and it clashes with something that the girls are watching on TV on a
sunday night I’ll sit down there with them (in the living room) but I’ll have the laptop down there and I’ll
be watching that.

Why do you think there’s a change between all those media platforms that you use between
different times of the day?
Convenience and location. Obviously I can’t watch television at work, but when I’m at my desk I have
access to the internet and the phone’s always at my desk so I have access to that anytime as well.
 What do you think your use of these media platforms says about you and your personality?
Mainstream maybe. I guess they’re the three most common platforms that people have access to, so,
mainstream.

What about the sort of content that you’re interested in? What do you think that says about
your image?
I guess to the Australian male and the mainstream in Australian sport I don’t follow. I don’t follow the
football or the cricket, so i’m probably not mainstream when it comes to that. I think i’m… well i don’t
know what the alternative to mainstream is but I guess it’s alternative. I’m not run of the mill I guess.
 What else would you consider to be ‘mainstream’ Australian male media consumption?
It’s all those football codes isn’t it? It depends whether it’s summer or winter, it’s either cricket or football.
I don’t really follow either, so I don’t know what other things guys look at but I don’t think I really fall into
a common denominator.

With your family that’s here at the moment, is there any times or places that media
consumption is limited or constricted?
Meal times, but it’s not a black and white rule - sunday nights are a little bit different - we’ll sit in front of
the TV. In the mornings too, the radio will be on but we never watch television in the mornings, we’ll
connect with the internet a bit with the news and things like that but yeah. It’s not a restriction as such,
but we don’t watch television in the morning. When we sit down for dinner we’re not watching television
or we don’t use the phones at the table. Dinner seems to be more of a restricted time, we just don’t let
them sort of encroach on us when we’re having dinner.
 Why do you think that is?
It’d be easier to say it’s ‘family time’ but it’s probably a cultural or a traditional sort of thing guess.
 What changes about a Sunday night for your family to sit and eat dinner watching TV?
I think it’s just the end of the weekend and we just chill out and I think a lot of people probably do that.
The kitchen is more or less closed on a Sunday night, Irine doesn’t cook, I don’t cook - it’ll be cheese on
toast or a take away pizza. On a Sunday night it’s very casual as opposed to the rest of the week.
Household 2
Field Notes:
Participant Observation
Patrick Guerrera
Liam Cassidy
Harrison Tang
Saagar Chandra
James Ward
7.00 – 7.30
Turns on music –
playing off
iPhone through
TV speakers.
Doing uni work
on laptop.
Gets a call form
James asks the
room if he should
answer it – not
positive response
– doesn’t answer
it.
Continue’s uni
work – hopping in
between virtual
work and real
time conversation
(partially focused
on both)
Checking
facebook on
phone “just got
the notif”
conversation
switches to being
about facebook
and James’s post
Playing game on
phone
Looking through
photos
Had to go outside
for a cigarette
Returns from
inside
James posts
message in
Facebook group
(everyone in the
house are
members and get
notifications)
Given up on uni
work for the night
– laptop put away.
Liam comments
on James’s post in
the group without
mentioning it in
the house.
Checking
Facebook on
phone
Playing music –
talking about the
songs being
played
Asks pat if he
can turn a song
off, sparks new
conversation with
Liam about the
band playing
Outside for
cigarette
Returns from
inside.
Harrison
checking
facebook too –
everyone seems
to see each other
checking
facebook and go
on it themselves.
Saagar arrives.
Saagar starts talking
about the musician
playing on shuffle on
the TV –
conversation begins
with everyone
around the musician
and then spirals into
other music.
Saagar is on his
phone on facebook
too (happening at
same time as
everyone else)
7.30 – 8.00
Doing uni work
again. Partially in
conversation – in
and out a lot
Uni work on
laptop not in
conversation
Pat joins in the
conversation
about the game –
attention averts
Playing queen 48
(game) and jumping
in and out of
conversation
Not in conversation
much
Saagar is playing
the same game as
liam they start
talking about high
scores and playing
Changes song
“I really don’t
want to listen to
this” conversation
turns to paying
out Kanye West
who just came on
shuffle”
Conversation
sparks around
artist again with
Saagar on
Facebook on
phone
Now playing game
on phone – when
half or more are on
their
phones/laptops
conversation lulls
Talking about
playing the game
from assignment
– he plays too
offers expertise
Attention on
assignment
the game
Occasionally
speaking/asking
opinions/advice
Attention on game
Saagar
Changes song
Joins
conversation –
starts playing the
game
Group focus
switches to
individual
phones each
playing their
own game
Talking about
Splendour and
other acts with
Saagar
2048 with Liam
and Harrison
Start talking about
Splendour – band
playing that was
there with Harrison
8.00 – 8.30
Still doing assignment half
present
Pat sees article on
computer and starts to
talk about it, conversation
switches to be about
article
Everyone singing along
to song playing
Attention on assignment
still
Attention shifts to
everyone
Mood in room changes,
everyone starts to
converse now they are
collectively going to
view a program
All three à
still playing
game and
talking
about it
James texting
Liam
Still playing
game
Asks Saagar about a
picture he sent to
someone
James texting
Harrison
Still playing game/
Wants to put on a
TV show but no one
can decide on which
one, attention still
half on games
Gets laptop to watch
a show on the lounge
room TV where
everyone is
Puts a song on while
looking for a show to
play via laptop
Texting in
between
rounds of
the game
James
texting
Saagar
Still playing
game
Stops
playing
game
8.30 – 9.00
Doing
assignment
again
Watches for a
bit of the
video then
goes back to
assignment
Talking about
washing the
dishes
Everyone
watches
video James
Playing game still
Points out how he
is going in the
game
Watches video
joins conversation
Conversation
remains around
the video
Start discussing
what to watch –
put on music
video gets
everyone’s
Harrison
talking about
his high
scores while
looking for
show to
watch
Checks the
news on the
computer –
plugged in to
TV though
and comes
up for
Saagar
playing his
game,
loses
round and
checks
snapchat
Talking
about the
video
playing on
the TV
now
Goes back
James arrives,
Liam is still
playing the
game so
James gets out
his iPhone and
starts playing
too prompting
Saagar
Prompts
everyone to
look at his
screen
Talking about a
suggested –
news video
Everyone’s
talking about
it and
watching it
(goes for 10
minutes)
Goes back to
assignment
Watching
video
attention –
sparks
conversations
everyone to
see
Gets up
video of
news report
to show
Saagar –
everyone
watches it
except
James
Harrison still
on the
computer
Gets the
article and
video up for
everyone to
watch
Switching
between
facebook on
his phone
and the
video on the
TV
to game
Attention
halfway
between
game and
TV
TV series
(Hannibal) and
telling
everyone about
it à everyone
considers
watching it
briefly
James is
talking about
an article and
wants to show
it to everyone,
asks Harrison
to find it on the
computer
which is
connected to
the big screen
Attention
entirely on the
TV
Interviews
Harrison Tang
What media platform do you most connect and identify with?
The internet
Computer or phone or…?
Ooooh…. I would have to say my phone. I’d have to say my phone, I’m always on
it texting or playing games or stuff. At the moment I’m playing a lot of 2048 and
yeah just to talk to people/
What media platform do you use the most in the morning?
My phone – I wake up and usually just check it.
Do you have a morning ritual?
I usually wait until im in the city with a coffee reading the paper to do my routine
of checking all of my social media and e-mails etc.
What media platform do you use the most during the day?
Um my computer probably, when I have access to it. Other than that my phone. I
usually just use it to read articles or connect via social media – facebook is
always open in the background. If im on the computer or have a charged phone
I’m in some form of communication usually – with more than 1 person frequently
What media platform do you use the most at night?
My computer –doing the same thing usually
Why does this change/why doesn't it change?
I think its because I have more access to different things at certain points of the
days. I’d prefer to use my computer over a phone but I’m usually out anf about
without access to a computer so I have to just access all of my media on my
phone in hotspot areas
What do you think this says about you?
I’m boring. Um I don’t know, I like to talk and communicate a lot. And read and
just kind of trawl the internet.
Is there anywhere in your household that certain media is restricted?
Nope
Is there anywhere for you personally that certain media is restricted?
Not really – unless I’m working. That’s only if it’s enforced by another party, if
it were up to me I’d always be online and accessible.
James Ward
What media platform do you most connect and identify with?
Phone because it’s the one I always have on me – I always have it on me unless
im at work. But even then its close by.
What media platform do you use the most in the morning?
Again, my phone. I have a morning routine – firstly it will wake me up because of
the alarm. Then I check my texts then emails, then go through facebook and
intagram. Then depending on my moring: if it’s a uni day ill get up then and start
my day. But if it’s a chilling/nothing day I’ll usually do that then get straight on my
laptop and sort of do the same thing but in more detail
What media platform do you use the most during the day?
Uni day: Laptop
Stay at home day: laptop
Out to see friends/work: phone purely because of accessibility/portability
What media platform do you use the most at night?
Same as above. I only use my laptop for articles and things like that, stuff you
have to find on the internet rather than prearranged for you in a news feed. So if
im out of the house for a few days I won’t really see anything big on the internet
until im home and get a chance to just catch up on everything I’ve missed
Why does this change/why doesn't it change?
Just where I am really, what my goals for the day are.
What do you think this says about you?
That I’m always in the loop, unless I know I need to devote my attention
elsewhere. Like I don’t feel the need to text and drive, I can wait it’s not that
important.
Is there anywhere in your household that certain media is restricted?
Nope
Is there anywhere for you personally that certain media is restricted?
Work, tutes, lectures à do not disturb. Whenever im watching a movie I try not to
reply (in the cinemas I never look at my phone, if im at home it just depends how
hooked/into the program I am)
Are you usually always accessible?
Yeah like 70-80% of the time I’m reachable through media
Liam Cassidy
What media platform do you most connect and identify with?
Computer
Why?
Because it gives you the largest variety of processes you can do – facebook and
social media or be watching amovie or tv show or be playing a game, or all at
once.
What media platform do you use the most in the morning?
I wake up and check my phone and facebook (on my phone) usually
What media platform do you use the most during the day?
My computer
What processes are you usually doing?
Uni work, facebook. Faceobok is always open in the background.
Do you always have some form of communication open?
Yeah if I’m not with my phone and I’m on the computer I’ll have facebook open in
the background
Do you always respond to people when its open in the background?
Not always, depends on the person. Some people message you and you see it
but you don’t click on it to send the seen message so you can keep ignoring them
What media platform do you use the most at night?
Depends on who’s in the house/where I am/what I’m doing. I’ll usually be on my
phone like playing a game or something, like if people are over I won’t be on my
laptop probably because it takes too much of your attention.
If there are more people over are you less likely to be on your computer or
your phone?
Less likely to be on my computer
Why does this change/why doesn't it change?
I don’t know, in the morning because my phone’s just right there. During the day
I’ll set up my area and be focused on my uni work so I’ll be on my computer. And
at night it just depends on who’s over and what I’m doing – it can change a lot.
What do you think this says about you?
I’m a pretty avid media user I guess
Do you feel over exposed constantly being in communication with people?
Not really, I can always disconnect if I feel overwhelmed
Is there anywhere in your household that certain media is restricted?
Nope
Is there anywhere for you personally that certain media is restricted?
Yeah movies, work, etc.
Patrick Guerrera
What media platform do you most connect and identify with?
What media platform do you use the most in the morning?
That’s a hard one because I don’t relaly use any media in the morning’s – I just
check my phone but I usually get up and read or go to uni (reading comic books).
I’’m not usually up before 11 so I don’t really have a morning routine. I usually get
up and get all of my stuff and go.
What media platform do you use the most during the day?
Probably my phone (for what purpose?) facebook, messaging people,
calling/texting. Checking buses, looking stuff up on the interet. I don’t really take
my laptop anywhere because it’s heavy and I’m scared it will be damaged. I write
all of my notes and only use the uni computers if I have an assignment. The
course I do is a writing course and I think it’s good to write physically in pencil
rather than use technology.
What media platform do you use the most at night?
It would probably depend on whether I’m going out or staying at home. If I’mg
oing out if would be my phone again but if I’m staying in I use my laptop to do
stuff or watch TV or listen to music, especially if there are people over –
Why does this change/why doesn't it change?
Depends on what Im doing – whether Im at home or out in public
What do you think this says about you?
That I don’t interact with media constantly, I’m most separated from it
Is there anywhere in your household that certain media is restricted?
No
Is there anywhere for you personally that certain media is restricted?
When I’m writing, if im having a conversation with someone or in a movie or at
work or something
Are you always connected to some form of media/communication
technology?
Not always, but usually I’m always relatively close to it – I might not check my
phone because I don’t hear it for an hour or two but eventually I’ll check it and
get back to whoevers contacted me
Saagar Chandra
What media platform do you most connect and identify with?
Oh man, probably a phone actually. Because it’s always on me and ill use it just
at any given point, even just to check the time.
What media platform do you use the most in the morning?
The computer. I don’t really have a routine because I don’t really have any daily
structure, each day is different so I don’t really know what’s going to happen
What media platform do you use the most during the day?
My phone still probably, just to talk to people, search random things like facts I
want to know during the day, buses, facebook, games. I get music off youtube
and soundloud and stuff so I use it for that.
What media platform do you use the most at night?
Computer, mostly for searching stuff, doing uni work, reading articles and news
etc, communicating with people.
Why does this change/why doesn't it change?
When I’m at home (usually at night) I have access to my computer, which is
better because of the bigger screen and stuff. But I’m usually out during the day
so I just use my phone because it’s way more portable.
What do you think this says about you?
I think it says that I access social media generally a lot
Do you generally have communication open at some point?
Yeah, at some points I shut it all off and just do some work, I get distracted
otherwise sometimes. I usually always have some process happening though,
unless I make a conscious effort to remove myself form the cybersphere
Is there anywhere in your household that certain media is restricted?
Nope
Is there anywhere for you personally that certain media is restricted?
Yeah, I’m a writer and it’s just kind of a think like you shouldn’t be online and
connected when you’re writing so I usually get away from interactivity --- I’m
pretty consistently available to contact online, unless deliberately avoiding it.
>noted that during interview Saagar was using phone to play a game>
Group Work Contract
KCB301: Media Audiences
Group work contract
Notes:
Submit the signed and completed contract with your assessment.
You will need to sign a new contract each time your group changes.
We, the undersigned agree to participate in the following activities as part of the
assessed group work for KCB301: Media Audiences. We acknowledge that this
document does not replace the advice given regarding the allocation of group
and individual marks awarded on the KCB301Week One Document. However,
this document may be used to resolve disputes regarding the amount and type of
work undertaken by the group and may result in the reallocation of marks as
part of any conflict resolution process.
Workload allocation (please add additional rows to the table as
appropriate)
Activity (e.g.
data analysis,
proofreading
and editing)
All
Hannah
contribution
(%)
Jesse
contribution
(%)
100
100
Details of group meetings (e.g. purpose, date)
Details of group communication strategies (e.g. will group members be able
to contact each other by phone; if communicating by email, what is the minimum
time for replying, will group members be using the “reply all” function?)
Detail any problems which you anticipate may occur that will impact on
your group.
Agreement
Group member 1
Name:
Hannah McMonagle
Signature:
H. McMonagle
Date: 2/06/14
Group member 2
Name:
Jesse Hynes
Signature:
Date: 2/06/14
Participant release forms