multimedia storytelling

two children from Nicaragua similar to those in the Touching Hearts program

Multimedia story telling is a nonlinear combination of different mediums including text, pictures, video clips, audio, graphics, all of which are combined and interactively presented on a website in a nonlinear format in which the information in each medium is complementary, not redundant. Although many excellent examples of multimedia storytelling exist on the Internet, I found this example: multimedia story telling to be a particularly well-done example. The above site chronicles the mission and experiences of media specialists from Duke University flew to the thirdworld country Leon, Nicaragua to help the impoverished families of Leon and their sick children.

Even though I had never heard of this website until I stumbled across it today, the website immediately captured my attention and made me want to investigate all aspects of it. Part of what is so effective about multimedia storytelling, is its ability to provide the audience with a complete body of knowledge. For example, this website on Touching Hearts not only provides the reader with factual information such as its mission to improve healthcare in Nicaragua but it also includes links to emotional case studies of those suffering children and families in Nicaragua. Multimedia story telling enhances a story with depth that is not always present in print journalism. Although print journalism is still an informative, yet traditional way to provide people with the facts, multimedia story telling is more effective and engrossing because there are so many more ways for people to relate to what they are learning about. Not only can they read a factual article, but they can watch live video footage, see photographs and listen to interviews from first hand sources.  This article had so many interactive links I could follow, that it made me want to spend more time exploring the site and learning about the Touching Hearts program.  

With this new interactive, multi-channel media, it makes me wonder if/when print media and newspaper are going to become completely obsolete.  Even though I completely appreciate multimedia storytelling, it still makes me somewhat sad to think about a day when nobody will be see reading the newspaper at breakfast or on their way to work.  Instead everybody will be glued to their computer or phone or even a new device that has yet to be invented.  Multimedia storytelling is just one example of the powerful, although sometimes frightening, opportunities that technology provides us with…

cell phones: use and abuse

Since coming abroad to Barcelona, I have become increasingly aware of how dependent I am on technology.  Americans are often stigmatized for being too dependent on technology and living lifestyles that revolve around digital communication, without enough emphasis on time spent actually interacting face to face with people. My time spent in Barcelona has made me realize that this stereotype of Americans is actually true.  If you walk down a street in New York City,  every one is walking with a cell phone glued to their ear, a blackberry in hand, or even a blue tooth in their ear (so it looks like they are talking to themselves).  Even in restaurants in America, entire tables of people are often engrossed with their phones instead of having actual conversations.  This is something that would never occur in Spain.  Unlike in America, the spanish place much more value on socializing with one another and spending time talking face to face.  It is a rare occasion that I ever see anyone walking while talking on a cell phone and blue tooth seems to be non existent here.  However, I can walk up a street here, like Passeig de Gracia, at any given time to see crowds of people sitting in the many restaurants and cafes that line the street, just relaxing, having a casual drink and conversing with one another.  The spanish never seem to be in a particular rush and as a result, I feel like they savor their experiences more such as their meals and their conversation.  

Although I admit to being guilty of acting like a typical American girl who is sometimes glued to her blackberry, this stark contrast between the American way of life and the Spanish outlook has made me much more aware of my own personal reliance on technology.  As a result, I have decided to change my ways (at least for my time spent abroad) and use technology only when necessary.  This includes not checking my blackberry every 5 minutes and not wasting my time on facebook or aimlessly surfing the Internet.   This new resolution has often left me feeling disconnected from aspects of my life, however so far it has made me more aware and appreciative of the sights and sounds around me…

praha: czech it out

my roommates and I at the astronomical clock in Old Town Square

 

I spent this past weekend exploring the amazing and historical city of Praha.  Prague was incredible and unlike any of the other places I have visited in Europe.  It’s old architecture was distinct and many of the buildings seemed mystical to me, reminding me of something I might see in DisneyLand.  Despite Prague’s freezing cold temperatures, my friends and I made sure to cross the famous Charles Bridge to go the Prague Castle.  The Castle is perched high upon a hill in Prague’s old town and from the top of the hill, you have a magnificent view of the city below.  The Astronomical Clock Tower in Prague was another awesome sight to visit.  It is placed in the heart of Old Town Square and there are always tons of tourists crowded around the clock, especially at the hour.  We also visited Prague’s Jewish Quarter (known as the Josefov) where we saw the Old-New Synagogue and the Spanish Synagogue, two historic sights that are definitely worth visiting.  Unfortunately, my friends and I were limited for time and could not take tours inside the synagogue.  However, in retrospect, I would definitely recommend leaving enough time to tour the synagogues because they are both filled with so much history and they offer walking tours to visitors.  

As for the Prague nightlife, I was pleasantly surprised by how fun it was and how much Prague had to offer in terms of going out.  For some reason, I had a preconceived notion that Prague was nothing more than a freezing climate with old buildings and devoid of any nightlife. However, Prague is exciting and filled with awesome bars and clubs.  My first night out, we first went  to a bar called Beer Factory.  Although I am not a huge beer drinker, this place was a guy’s dream come true.  Each person gets a huge, frosted mug and each table has multiple taps that distribute unlimited beer at very inexpensive prices.  My guy friends who I visited were especially happy by how cheap beer is in Prague.  After the Beer Factory we went to a cool dance club that was blasting techno music the entire night (not exactly my favorite music but it was still fun to go and dance).  The next night we went to a 5 story club called Karlovy Lazne.  Although the 5 story aspect was slightly overwhelming, this club was awesome because each floor was blasting a different genre of music.  I spent most of my times on floors 3 and 4 which where playing current and old school American music.  I had had enough Techno music the night before and it was nice to hear some familiar American music.  Overall, the club was awesome and so much fun.  The only problem–keeping track of your friends in such a big venue.  

 

the lennon wall

Our last morning in Prague we visited the Lennon Wall, a wall that began in the 1980s to represent a struggle against the Czech communist regime.  It continues to be constantly updated with uplifting, John Lennon-inspired graffiti.  After our visit to the wall, we ate at Bohemia Bagel before heading to the airport to return to BCN.  Overall, I had a wonderful weekend and Prague was definitely one of my favorite trips yet.  That being said, I am excited to finally have a few weekends in Barcelona so I can finally explore all the sights of Barcelona that I have yet to visit…

citizen journalism

NY Times article on citizen journalism:

This excerpt from the NY Time´s Opinionator blog responds to an article written by David Hazinski which criticizes the growing practice of citizen journalism. In the above column, lefty Larisa Alexandrovna argues that citizen journalism is a complex idea and it is too basic to categorize someone as either a journalist or not. In Larisa´s opinion, not every citizen who happens to snap a photo because they were in the right place at the right time, should be considered a journalist. However, according to her, those citizens who show an interest and a degree of knowledge on a topic (through either blogging or photojournalism for example) and choose to publicly share this knowledge, do represent citizen journalists. Even though they are not certified journalists by professional standards, they still may be extremely knowledgeable in certain areas and therefore their knowledge may be valuable to the general public.

In the same column, right-winged Chuck Simmons criticizes journalists, arguing that just because someone is a “certified” journalists, it does not necessarily mean that they are honest and adhering to journalistic standards. To support his argument, Simmons sites examples including Dan Rather’s creative use of forged documents, Reuters’ staging photos in Beirut, AP’s repeated bogus reporting of incidents in Iraq, and The New Republic’s utter failure to fact check a series of stories.

In my opinion, I agree that citizen journalism cannot be considered in black and white terms. Further, just as not every citizen should be considered a journalist, not every journalist should be considered correct just because they have had journalistic training. I believe that a citizen journalist is any person who is knowledgeable on a subject and truthfully presents their knowledge and information to the public. No matter if someone is a lawyer, a doctor, a mother or a news writer and reporter by profession, if they choose to write a blog in their free time on a subject that is important to them, then this is an aspect of citizen journalism. Additionally, in today´s society, which has become increasingly dependent on new forms of technology including the iphone, youtube, blackberries, Tweeter, etc., there is more room for public participation and citizen journalism. At this point, I think it is more important to embrace the growth of citizen journalism and the fact that people are communicating more and becoming more involved in the communication process. Although citizen journalists do not receive a salary for their work and they have most likely not undergone professional training, it is still important to acknowledge their contributions and their role in society.

the city of lights, the city of crepes…

 This past  weekend I traveled to Paris and it was an experience I will never forget.  I have always dreamed of traveling to Paris and how wonderful of an experience it would be. However, after visiting for the weekend, I can safely say that Paris has exceeded all of my expectations. My roommates and I began our Parisian experience on Thursday night by eating delicious sugar and nutella-filled crepes. A Parisian delicacy, crepes are the perfect sweet dessert or afternoon snack. They can also be filled with cheese, vegetables and meat for a delicious meal.

Friday, my first full day in Paris, I awoke early to ensure that I would be able to conquer all the events I had planned for that day´s itinerary. Our day began with a quick stop at a small french bakery near our hotel. The savory aroma wafting out of the bakery was so strong that the smell practically led us from our hotel to the door of the bakery. After a croissant and a coffe, we headed to the Musee d´Orsay to see works from the impressionist and post-impressionist eras.  Some of the feautrured artiststs included Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Edouard Manet. The impressionism was incredible to look at both up close and from far away. For example, at close surveillance, Monet´s Water Lily Pool appears to be nothing more than haphazardly placed blobs of colors when looked at too closely. However, from afar it depicts a beautiful landscape view of water lilies under a bridge. This shocking contrast is one of the characteristics exhibited by many artists, that makes impressionism so unique. I also loved all works by Renoir, especially his La Moulin de la Galette. 

After our morning in the museum, we took the metro to the Jewish quarter of Paris, where we dined at the famous L´As du Fallafel. Not only was the fallafel, hummus and schwarma delicious, but the staff was extremely friendly and engaging. Additionally, eating at this restaurant was quite a lively experience because the restaurant was packed with a lively and boisterous crowd of people.

Since the weather was still nice outside, we proceeded from lunch to the Notre Dame Cathedral, where I was mesmorized by the ornate and beautiful stained glass windows that adorn the walls. We then proceeded to the Champs-Elysee, an area lined with shops and restaurants and a superb place for people watching all the eclectic tourists and glamorous french men and women that stroll by.  The Champs-Elysee ends at the Arc de Triomphe, which looked magnificent against the skyline.  

Over the course of the weekend, I estimate that I ate at least 5 crepes (my favorite being nutella and banana) and drank the most delicious cup of hot chocolate that I have had to date.  The hot chocolate was from Angelina’s located at 226 Rue de Rivoli, right near the Louvre.  I highly recommend visiting there, as well as visiting the Bastille area at night to see all the trendy bistros and bars that line the streets.  

Upon my arrival back in Barcelona on Sunday, I was happy to be greeted by sunshine and higher temperatures than in Paris.  However, I already miss the beauty of Paris and of course, all the delicious french food…

fue a madrid

my friends and I outside the Prado museum

This past weekend I took my first trip from Barcelona to Madrid. Although only an hour plane ride away, Madrid struck me as extremely different in its architectural style and appearance. The hustle and bustle of Madrid on the streets, in the metro stations and even at tourist attractions, made Madrid seem much more like a large city than does Barcelona. The architecture is more formal and rigid; a shocking contrast to the whimsical feel of Barcelona´s Gaudi influenced work. Additionally, a McDonalds, Starbucks, or both could be found on nearly every street corner, further equating Madrid to an American city full of franchises.

My first day in Madrid was spent touring the Prado Museum in the morning and the Reina Sofia in the afternoon with a lunch break full of tapas y mas. The Prado museum was overflowing with so many exquisite masterpieces by some of the most esteemed artists including Goya, Rembrandt, Velazquez, Picasso and countless others. My favorite piece I saw was called “The Garden of Earthly Delights” and it was painted by Bosch. it was a three-part painting that represented the transition from the Earth´s creation to its destruction as people began overindulging and overutilizing all natural resources. I enjoyed everything I saw in the Prado. However, as someone who knows very little about art and art history, I feel that I would have appreciated the artwork much more had I taken a guided tour or purchased an audio tour.

Exhausted after several hours spent wandering through the vast halls of the Prado Museum, a delicious lunch consisting of tapas including stuffed red pepper and cafe con leche, was the perfect energy boost. We spent our afternoon in the Reina Sofia, where I was wowed by Picasso’s infamous Guernica.

Other highlights of my trip included my visit to the Royal Palace (Palacio Real) and my night out at Kapital, a seven floor discotec where I danced the night away to the different range of music that was blasting on each floor. After the club, my friends and I went to a late-night churros and chocolate restaurant for a much needed morning snack.

Overall, I had a fabulous weekend in Madrid and would definitely recommend any students studying abroad to pay a visit there. It was really interesting to see Spain’s capital city and I am happy I made the trip. However, it was nice to  return to Barcelona where the weather is slightly more mild. Additionally, returning to Barcelona after my first weekend excursion made me finally feel that Barcelona is my current home and I was happy to be back…

Introductions

As a novice blogger, and as someone who is inexperienced with most types of computer technology, Journalism 2.0 should be a learning experience for me. Over the course of my 4 months of study abroad in Barcelona, I intend to use my blog as a type of online journal to record my experiences, observations and opinions about my time spent in Barcelona and my travels elsewhere. As someone who has never been to Europe before, I have an open-mind and a curiousity to learn all that I can about the new cultures, styles, foods, and fashions that I encounter. Additionally, I love feedback and I am always open to additional comments and suggestions from those people who read my blog regularly or who have happened to stumble across it. I am looking forward to my journey, both on and offline…

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