Digital Literacy Final Portfolio
Vlog #8: Semester Overview
Review of my favorite vlogs from the semester:
Vlog #1: The #Hashtag and It's Role in Online Movements
This is one of my favorite vlogs from the semester despite its obvious flaws. One of the first things I noticed about this vlog that I believe was executed well is my introduction to the issue. Even though it may seem cliché, starting with a definition of the Hashtag was a good way for me to concisely explain what exactly the topic of the vlog is about as well address the preconceived misconceptions that most people have about what exactly the hashtag is. I also was able to transition nicely into introducing the required text and framed the analysis to come. Another strength that I feel this vlog exemplified was a seamless inclusion of the further research and sources it came from and good connections between it and the required text. Now to address the weaknesses of this vlog while keeping in mind this was my first time ever filming and editing a video for academic purposes. One major thing that I feel is noticeable is the change in lighting that happens around two minutes into the video. This occurred because I had to refilm the beginning section later in the evening. The lighting was not bad at all oddly at the beginning despite me filming with less natural light. When I filmed earlier in the day, I tried my best to adjust the lighting the best I could, but I look very overexposed which I think may have to with the fact that I am sitting directly in front of a window at high noon. A few other things I could have done better in this vlog would be using proper in text citations as well as including a better ratio of B-roll to talking head footage.
Vlog #4: The Snowden Leaks
This vlog was probably my best vlog technically. This is my most effective implementation of B-roll footage of any of my vlogs and the most diverse including screencaps of articles and helpful infographics as well as footage from a couple different interviews. Each of my B-roll footage clips helped support my analysis and made this vlog one of the most interesting and informative pieces from the semester. I also believe that my conclusion to this vlog was very strong as I restated the conclusion from my previous vlog and further expanded upon it, connecting the two topics successfully. As far as the shortcomings of this vlog, there are a few. For several vlogs I struggle with scratchy audio which I just recently realized the issue. This issue persisted throughout the entirety of the vlog and although it was not super noticeable it would have been more pleasant to watch if the audio was much crisper. A more major issue is the lack of in-text citations. Watching through this vlog again I noted at least five different times where I should have included an in-text citation but did not. Although this was not done purposefully, I acknowledge that plagiarism is never okay and that I need to better. However, despite these mistakes I am very proud with how this vlog turned out.
Vlog #7: Infinite Detail
This vlog was one of my favorites to make and that is why I am including it in my final portfolio. It was certainly not my most put-together, but it was first time filming without a script written out pretty much word for word. That being said, I really enjoyed reading the novel Infinite Detail and I had an even better time imagining myself in both scenarios before and after the internet being shut off. I also really like talking in front of the camera unscripted. I am super awkward in front of the camera but this definitely felt more natural to me. A couple of critiques that I have for this vlog is that because I went unscripted, I rambled more and the analysis I presented was not as concise as my previous vlogs. I had a lot more in my notes that I wanted to include in this vlog that I was not able to get to due to time constraints which is unfortunate. It is also very apparent at times that I am not as prepared as I usually am. I am not super upset that this vlog did not go exactly to plan because I did want to experiment going off just my notes but I feel like potentially this vlog could have been better had I done a little more preparation before filming.
