FIVE TYPES OF CONVERGENCE

(IDENTIFIED BY HENRY JENKINS)

Lesson 2 Activity 2

Read the accompanying reading material about convergence.

1. Answer the following questions. Each response should be integrative of what you have learned and is
composed of at least 200 words.

a. Define convergence as it relates to mass media and provide some examples of

convergence you’ve observed in your life.

 Convergence as it relates to mass media is something that refers to the process by which some
technologies come to share tasks and resources. It shows how a particular technology can
operate new purpose because of development. Before, each media has a distinct function.
Television is use to watch teleseryes and news. Radio on the other hand is to listen to music and
news updates. Newspaper is use to read news. Also, we went to cinema to watch movies. But
because our world is evolving and human technology is continuously developing, this certain
functions of media can now be performed all at one device (Cellphone). I remember before I’m
always rushing to went home just to watch meteor garden at 4pm. I have to run as fast as I can
so that I wouldn’t miss the episode. Now that we have YouTube, Iwant, and different online media
platforms, it doesn’t matter if I miss the watching a teleserye on television because I can now
watch the replay online. With the help of my cellphone, I can still read news in ABS-CBN and
GMA new sites. I can watch movies, play games, listen to music, and talk to my friends. And
because we are in a pandemic situation, who would have thought that we can still continue our
education with the help of media. From being information disseminator to entertainment industry
and now as an educational platform. This proves that digital transformation is endless.

b. Describe the five types of convergence identified by Henry Jenkins and provide an
example of each type that you’ve noted in your own experience.

 There are five types of convergence identified by Henry Jenkins. We have economic
convergence, organic convergence, cultural convergence, global convergence and technological
convergence. Economic convergence is when a company controls several products or services
within the same industry. Example of this is ABS-CBN wherein besides from television, they also
have websites, YouTube channel, sports channel, star cinema and many other media where you
can watch and avail their products and services. Organic convergence happens when person is
using a particular media while engaging to other forms of media as well. Example of this is when
I’m playing an online game while talking to someone on a phone call who is apparently watching
Netflix. Cultural convergence refers to stories or characters that flows across several media
platforms. Just like my favorite manga “Fairytale” which now have an anime version. And because
of participatory culture, I’ve encounter some people (virtually) who are also fan of this manga and
we starting to build connection and share our thoughts about the manga and anime. Global
convergence is when a particular culture influence one another despite the distances. Actually, I
am one of those people who experience global convergence. I am a fan of Korean dramas and
Kpop even though I’m living in the Philippines and I notice in our media industry that they are
trying their best to make film and teleseryes who look like Korean dramas. I also feel like they are
doing this because they knew that most Filipinos are into Korean films and Kpop culture. The last
type of convergence is Technological convergence. Technological Convergence is the merging
of technologies. In today’s world, we are not just using our phone to call or text someone but we
can now also use this to watch videos, play games, send money and even shopping.