When War meets Video Games

Grade 10 Journal Entry Question #3

Read this article from Wired News War Games Come Marching in and answer the following questions:

1. Why are war video games so popular now?
2. "If it's not realistic, it's not worth playing," is a quote in the article. Do you think realistic war games desensitive people to the horror of war or is it just fun?
3. What do you personally think of war video games?

300 words.

Your time to shine!

Grade 11 & 12 Journalism
Journal Entry Question #5 &6 (this one is worth 2 blogs)
Okay, J-students! If you want to write for the Mary Ward Planet, now is your chance. And, at the same time, you can work towards the completion of your blog unit. Here are some story ideas:

1. The Jeffery Reodica story: Jeffery Redoica was a 15 year old boy who went to Jean Vanier. He was shot 3 times in the back by an under-cover police officer. The Coroner's Inquest, which refused to acknowledge the role of racial profiling in this case, concluded on Oct. 6th, clearing the police officer of any wrong-doing. Write a hard news story with editorializing (your opinion). 600 words.

2. Bono's "Red Campaign" with the Gap, Motorola, Armani, Converse, etc. How does buying a red cell phone help a child in Africa suffering from AIDS? Consumerism=Humanitarianism? 600 words.

3. Free Choice (Get approval from me). 600 words.

Strong, well written articles will be published in the 1st issue of the Mary Ward Planet. Due in early November.

Pep Talk

Hi Media/Comm Tech/J-Guys,
I am seeing some great design work on the blogs, however the content is lacking with the majority. The blog unit is a special opportunity where you can progressively complete a unit little by little, thus avoiding last-minute work. I would like to see at least ONE journal entry on EVERYONE's blog by the end of next week. Also, if there are any problems with links, let me know ASAP. There are still a few URLs that are not working and several of students who have yet to create a blog. Please work on that and leave me a comment with up-to-date info. Let the work of other students inspire you to create your own high-quality work. Start thinking and typing! NOW! Before it's too late.
Ms. Largo

Media Mashup

Journal Entry Question #3, Gr. 11 & 12 Media Arts & Comm Tech

Napoleon Dynamite's "Liger": A superb example of a hybrid.
In unit 2, we've begun to explore the concept of "hybridity". The meaning of "hybridity" has changed a lot within the last decade. It is a term which originated from the field of biology referring to the breeding of two similar species. In media arts, hybridity or hybridization is the degree to which a technique or process is a product of two or more techniques or processes. Hybridity is a predominate theme in our "postmodern era" (remember seminar #1?) in which we experience an intermingling of influences, styles, and techniques in all the media we create and consume. For example, OutKast is not just a hip hop group, since it is a vibrant mix of R&B,

rock, spoken word, electronica, funk, jazz, blues, poetry, and etc. Such hybrid mashups are not only seen in the music world, but in all dimensions of our contemporary lives. Just look in your backpacks. How many of you have cell phone-MP3-blender-foot massager-digital cameras? ;) For this journal entry, discuss how you experience hybridity in your daily lives.

Requirements: 300 words in well-constructed sentences which make up paragraphs and supporting artwork.

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