TWiki
> Main
>
MediascapesInTheField
Mediascapes in the field
There are a number of issues that you should bear in mind to ensure that the process of experiencing a mediascape runs smoothly and is as enjoyable as possible.
If you are just showing a mediascape to your friends, if you are orgnaising a larger public mediascape event or if you are in the process of designing your own mediascape then there are points in the list that follow that are applicable.
Low batteries
Mediascapes involve using technology in the outdoors environment. The only power available is battery power to make sure that everything is well charged up before you set off. Remember that charging batteries up is not something that you can do ten minutes before you leave, you have to have it all charged well in advanced.
Other useful tips regarding batteries are of course to take some spare batteries if you have them, and again make sure that they too are fully charged.
If you are demonstrating the mediascape to a group of people then you can get round battery problems by having some headphone splitters (a component that plugs into the headphone socket on the device and has two headphone sockets on it, thus allowing you to plug two sets of headphones into a device). In this way if you have failing batteries you can get some of the audience to go round in groups of two while sharing one device.
Bad weather
Any event that takes place outside is subject to the weather. The worst factor is rain. Take precautions to make sure that equipment cannot be damaged by rain. House it in waterproof rucksacks or other carrying bags.
Hot weather can also cause problems. Screens can be difficult to read in bright sunlight and wearing headphones while carrying equipment around in the summer heat can be very wearing. Set up your ‘centre of operations’ in the shade if possible and avoid doing things in the couple of hours after mid-day when temperatures are at their hottest.
Headphone distraction
If you, or others under your supervision, are using a mediascape that requires people to wear headphones then bear in mind that listening on these can interfere with your ability to hear such things as traffic and bicycle bells.
Make sure people are warned about the environment and make sure the environment is not hazardous in any way to people who may be unable to hear all the sounds around them.
It is possible to minimise the effects by opting for headphones that cover the ears rather than using the ‘in-ear’, bud-like ear phones which cut out more sound from the environment.
At the time of writing this document Carl Kruger, a state senator in New York is pushing for a fine for pedestrians wearing headphones while crossing the road after two of his constituents had recently been killed in traffic. In one case bystanders even shouted warnings which the victim could not hear.
Distracting screens
Having visual media as part of your mediascape means that the person using it is expected to spend some of their time watching the screen. This can happen when they are stationary or when they are moving, depending on the design of the mediascape itself.
Be aware of the distracting effect that screens can have and make sure that people are not expected to walk while looking at the screen in areas that are physically dangerous, for example close to cliffs, rivers or roads.
Be especially aware if you are dealing with large groups of excitable children where an added danger is having them run into one another!
Distracting video
The drawbacks with headphones and those with screens are combined when video is included in the mediascape. Be aware of both sets of issues.
Physical dangers
If people are distracted they are not just a danger to themselves in certain situations, they can also be a danger to the physical environment around them. People lost in the world of the mediascape may inadvertently trample through flower beds if they are being chased by virtual dragons.
So think carefully about where the mediascape is being sited, where will the busy parts of the mediascape be located? What about the fast parts where people tend to run? Are they in open spaces or next to something fragile?
Cables
Walking around a space while carrying digital equipment also involves a fair number of wires. If the space includes spiky vegetation or architectural features such as fence decorations then there is a chance that dangling cables could be snagged, leading to injury or damage to equipment.
Be aware of the environment you are using the mediascape in and make sure that cables are as well tucked in as possible and that people know of the issues.
Security
The concentration of technologies involved in using a mediascape means that there are issues surrounding having it stolen. The risks are higher when operating in busy city environments or in school environments where there are pupils from many classes in the area.
Make sure that you have good procedures for keeping an eye on your pool of equipment and for checking equipment in and out. One of the drawbacks with pocket-sized, portable gadgetry is that it is too easy to pop it in your pocket.
Suitability for the audience
A mediascape is like any other piece of pre-recorded media, it can be hard hitting for certain people, especially children so think about who your audience is going to be and think carefully about graphic sound effects or colourful language.
In particular have special advice for adults with children with regard to behaviour and content of the mediascape.
Giving instructions
If your mediascape is going to be used by other people apart from your immediate circle of friends then you will probably need to give instructions out. If you are going to be giving out mobile devices to only a few people then you can probably rely on spoken instructions. If you suspect that there may be many people using it, or it is complex enough to require quite a bit of explanation then it may be better to prepare a printed sheet of paper to be copied and handed out with the mobile devices. These sheets could be laminated if you are planning on going ahead even if the weather is a bit bad.
An alternative approach that you might want to consider is to have the initial instruction on a sheet of paper and then the rest of the instructions in spoken form as part of the mediascape itself.
Loaning out mobile devices
Remember that you are probably operating in a public space and that even basic player kits are quite expensive bits of equipment. Make sure you have a robust process for lending out the player kits. Think about how you will cope with a rush of people wanting one. What happens if you do not have enough? How will you ensure that unscrupulous participants don’t just walk off with the equipment? What happens if someone breaks something?
Giving support to pairs and groups
When you set up a mediascape your audience will not just be single people. It may also include pairs of people, whole families or larger groups of friends. Make sure that you have systems in place to support them and make their group experience a good one.
You might want to think about having headphone splitters and extra headphone sets so that multiple people can use one mobile device.
Protocols of the environment
When you deploy a mediascape the place that you choose to deploy it may have certain social and behavioural protocols attached to it. Think of how your behaviour is different in a public library for example. Or think of how you should behave in a stately home, or a park etc.
In particular think carefully about gaming elements and the inclusion of time based challenges in the mediascape where that mediascape is to be deployed in contexts that are not compatible with lots of running around.
