Live and recorded media — Media, 4–6 years
Some media happen while we watch or listen, while other media were made earlier. Knowing the difference helps us understand why a programme cannot always answer us back.
Now or made before
Live media happens at the same time as the audience watches or listens, like a concert being streamed as it plays. Recorded media was captured earlier, like a cartoon or a voice message that can be played again.
Why make a recording?
A live event is special because it is happening once for people in that moment, but not everyone can be there. Recording lets more people watch later, pause, repeat a part or hear it again.
What happens at 10 o’clock?
At 10:00, Ana watches a live puppet show online. When she waves, the puppeteer may see her, but the show still follows its plan. At 16:00, she watches a recording of the same show; she can pause it, but the puppets cannot see her wave.
A recording does not happen again
It is easy to think a recording is live because the people on screen move and speak right now. But the camera already captured those actions, so the recording is showing the past, even when we start watching it today.
Concerts, calls and voice messages
A video call is live when people can see and answer one another at that moment. A birthday video, a saved voice message and a programme watched later are recorded, so they can be shared or replayed without the maker being there.
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