Networked Society: Its Power and Impact

We began looking at the way network society would have treated Hitler, but after working on the project it seemed like there were some better historical events that would have been changed by networked media. Please click here to view the video.

In case you were really looking forward to some Hitler clips, here are some clips that didn't make the final piece.

Final Project

you can view the prezi of my final project here:

http://prezi.com/xgnqf8zj4qim/present/?auth_key=l9ual7q&follow=xv30tscgg2ob

The Art of Knowing More About Less

We'll examine narrowcasting in the following realms:

1. media
2. internet
3. politics
4. digital information age & personalization

Blood, sweat and tears aside, I'm happy with my project in that there is SO LITTLE information and research published out there on the subject of narrowcasting.

Thanks for everything class (and Damien)...it has been a long journey to the end!

Narrowcasting Presentation

Something to sort of maybe believe in for a little while

 

The shift from mass communication to networked communication has changed culture by altering not only how we connect with one another but how we support one other. Traditional activism, or offline activism, has often relied on face-to-face networks to influence certain issues and causes. Protests, boycotts, political rallies, strikes, sit-ins, fundraising campaigns, and petitions, among many other forms of social, political, and environmental efforts are forms of traditional activism aimed at persuading others in favor or opposition to particular causes. In the era of networked communication, however, activism has evolved in significant ways: 

1. Networked communication has made reaching new members and connecting with existing members much easier and more cost-effective;
2. Online and mobile social movements eliminate the need for “copresence” in the same space and time; and
3. Networked communication allows activists to respond remarkably quickly to tragedies, disasters, and other issues receiving the public’s attention. 

 Despite the benefits to increasing social awareness, however, one real question is whether or not these new forms of activism actually translate into significant social or political change. This paper will therefore look at some of the criticisms of digital activism. A potential downside of activism through web or mobile technology is that it does not always require a great deal of personal investment on the part of the activist. The term “slacktivism” is often used to describe slacker activism, or feel good measures often via mobile or online networks that require minimal effort on the part of the participant. When does this new model of activism work and when does it not? This paper will conclude by identifying some of the conditions that make activism via networked communication more effective.  

Networked Education

Technology is changing the very nature of our classrooms and the way we teach. Mobile technology and use of the internet provides unparalleled access to information and takes learning out of the bricks and mortar school.

Technology has always been an important part of education. The tools teachers use have changed over the decades. Here's a brief overview of our classroom experience through the use of technology. Overview

In 1728, an ad in the Boston Gazette sought students who could learn a new method of short hand through mailed lessons. Since then, distance education has also been delivered via radio and television and now, the internet.

Here's a look at the way education changes the classroom.
Global Classroom

The digital divide is a concern when it comes to educational technology. In a survey by the Pew Research Institute, 92% of advanced placement and National Writing Project teachers report the internet has a big impact on their classrooms and and 73% say they or their students use cell phones in class to get information or work on assignments. But at the same time, teachers of low income students report much lower levels of access to digital technologies both in the classroom and at home. This is one of the concerns about educational technology.

The next video explores how teachers and students are dealing with other challenges, including concerns about effectiveness.
Effectiveness

Final Project: Female Ad Elements

Comm 852

Final Project

Female Ad Elements

By Jenny Green and Maria Hermosa         

The use of sex and beauty are predominant elements of most advertisements portraying females, according to Jean Kilbourne. However, are those the only elements predominant in the ads? Are there any significant differences in ads portraying females depending on the type of magazine? Are there common patterns? With this project, we wanted to dig in to answer those questions while expanding and challenging the notions that Jean Kilbourne presented in her different works. For this reason, we looked at four various magazine categories (business, lifestyle, fashion and fitness) with advertisements that’s primary focus was a female. We then created our own scoring sheet that provided us a quantitative insight about the following seven elements:  environment of the advertisement, company of the female, posture of the female, type of clothing, amount of clothing, diversity/ethnicity of the female and wording of the message. We chose to use a quantitative measurement to find similar patterns or contrasting ones among the different magazines.

We believe this project provided us with some interesting insights about the topic and might complement and support a better understanding of Jean Kilbourne thoughts. In addition, we think this scoring sheet method could be improved and replicated in a much broader study.  After analyzing 200 advertisements (50 within five magazines from each category) we drew interesting conclusions about female stereotypes and specific element patterns.  These conclusions are shown in this video that we hope you enjoy, critique and learn from!