philippakate833-blog

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#11 - The Dangers of Violence in Video Games

Here is the link to my movie on the dangers of violence in video games:

Inspired by A Current Affair, this video is meant to be humorous, however it explores a real and quite serious issue. All footage is legally obtained and is either my own or approved by Creative Commons. References can be found underneath the video which was posted on Youtube. Hope you enjoy :)

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#9 - New Communication Technologies and their Influence on the Lives of Disabled People

                                                                                                                   (Wordle)

Human communication is a process in which an individual initiates a message and transmits information to the intended receivers. This is achieved using verbal and nonverbal symbols and contextual cues in order to create meaning and have it understood by the receiver, with minimal distortion (DeFleur et al. 2014, p.8).

This process can become obstructed for people with disabilities, namely those disabilities where communication is limited or somehow distorted. These include hearing, vision and speech impairment, acquired neurogenic disorders and developmental disabilities, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (McNaughton & Light 2013). People with these disabilities thus require augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) methods, used to supplement or replace speech and/or writing for people with communication impairments (McNaughton & Light). AAC techniques are becoming increasingly associated with new Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), which communicate information through the use of modern technologies such as the Internet, wireless networks and mobile phones (Christensson 2010).

New Communication Technologies are integral in aiding people with disabilities to overcome their communication barriers, thus improving their quality of life. The modernising of these technologies is generating many benefits for people requiring augmentative and alternative communication and are essential in their social development. Also, due to the increased accessibility that the modern devices provide, AAC options continue to be brought into the mainstream and are thus more accepted in society.

1. SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

New communication technologies are advancing the social development of people living with a disability, and the benefits of these technologies for people and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in particular are considerable. Autism Spectrum Disorder is an umbrella term covering a set of developmental disabilities and people with ASD can have significant difficulties with social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication (NIDCD 2014). Due to their unique perspectives and ways of thinking, many children with ASD are unable to communicate effectively and have difficulties responding to others (NIDCD 2014). Therefore, AAC options for these people are essential, and computer-mediated communication plays a significant role in overcoming these difficulties.

Due to their condition, people with ASD can be socially isolated and the Internet provides them with a comfortable environment in which to interact with others online. Having the opportunity to write to someone, rather than speaking to them, is generally preferred by Autistic people as it removes the anxiety and nonverbal cues involved with interpersonal communication. The Internet allows them to socially develop by providing them with the independence and confidence to successfully build relationships online that may not be possible offline (Gillespie-Lynch et al. 2014).

Advances in the social development of people with a disability can also be attributed to recent progresses in iPhone and iPad applications designed specifically to improve responsiveness in Autistic children. The ECHOES research project, exploring the effects of technology in schools, determined the advantages of a group of apps known as Visual Scene Displays. These apps provide detailed context to common situations and children with ASD often find the use of technology engaging and motivating (Parson et al. 2015). Also, HandHold Adaptive, a company focussed on creating AAC apps especially for people with ASD is continuing to develop new software. The iPrompts app is a picture-prompting tool introduced in 2009, designed to help Autistic children to focus on tasks as well as learning socially acceptable behaviours (Siri & Lyons 2013). The Autistic children who participated in the ECHOES project responded well to the different apps, demonstrating skills and understanding that were previously constrained by the standard curriculum (Parsons et al. 2015).

New communication technologies are maximising opportunities for growth, interaction, learning and play for children with ASD, ultimately allowing them to thrive (Parsons et al. 2015). And as their confidence grows, their ability to participate and contribute to mainstream society increases.

2. ACCESSIBILITY

The iPad and iPhone have become commonplace in modern society, and AAC is utilising these devices to make their methods more accessible to those who need them (McNaughton & Light 2013). In comparison to specialised assistive devices such as speech-generating devices (SGD’s), modern communication technologies are extensively available and much easier to acquire. Also, regular mobile devices are more cost-effective than SGD’s, allowing people who require AAC the option to purchase a more convenient product that still manages to provide them with the necessary support (McNaughton & Light)

Improved access to new ICTs is proving beneficial to people with a disability, particularly those with hearing or vision impairments. People with sensory disabilities have restricted access to visual and/or auditory information due to deafness, blindness or deaf-blindness (Ladner 2012) and thus require assistance for augmentative and alternative communication. Programs included in mobile devices are assisting these people to communicate effectively and they are able to use these accessible technologies to their advantage. For instance, texting is a standard form of communication for deaf people because they communicate through sign and text, and the primary role of deaf technology is to help transmit and receive information in a visual or tactual way (Ladner 2012). Therefore, the constant need for texting and messaging features to keep up with popular demand is also increasing the accessibility of AAC methods for people with a disability.

Moreover, the use of video telephony is now a commodity product, supplied by organisations such as Skype, and applications including Facetime (Ladner 2012).

The videophone has become a reality for deaf people due to the development of the VRS, a video relay service allowing a deaf person to talk with a hearing person through a relay operator working as a sign language translator (Ladner 2012). New ICTs are paving the way for programs such as the VRS to be made possible, addressing the needs of people with hearing impairments and improving their ability to communicate. Likewise, there are included features in mobile devices that aid people with vision impairments. Phones using spoken commands are trending and this is obviously accommodating to people who rely on their hearing. For instance, current features such as spoken GPS devices within the phone are suitable for vision impaired people, and there are developments in place to improve on the GPS system. Therefore, the availability of new ICTs is significantly improving the lives of people with a disability due to their association with augmentative and alternative communication.

3. SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE

Due to new communication technologies, AAC has been brought into the mainstream and is thus more socially accepted. The multi-purpose nature of current mobile and tablet devices offer people requiring AAC access to a range of functions above of their particular needs. People with a disability have a right to the same range of communication options available to the rest of society and due to the advances of modern technology, this has been made possible (McNaughton & Light 2013). AAC apps are available from the same store as regular apps, increasing general awareness from the public, as well as allowing people with a disability to explore a range of business, educational and social apps (McNaughton & Light 2013).

Additionally, the stigma occasionally associated with assistive technologies does not exist using mobile devices, which are socially valued in modern society (McNaughton & Light 2013). By meeting their AAC needs using mainstream devices, people with disabilities are not marginalised by their communication impairments, making them more widely included. Social acceptance is a pinnacle goal for all adolescents, but is more difficult for teenagers needing AAC. For most adolescents, keeping up with the trends and trying to fit in is an essential part of life, and new ICTs are helping teens with a disability to feel more accepted.

Current smartphone devices are significantly increasing in popularity amongst teenagers and 85% of adolescents aged between 15-18years own a mobile phone, spending an average of 1.5 hours per day sending and receiving texts (Zheng 2015, p. 1462). The desired features of communication devices for teens with communication difficulties include access to the required vocabulary, reliability and ‘coolness’ of the language style of a teenager, provided on an age appropriate device (Zheng 2015). AAC features on mobile and iPad devices are meeting these conditions and their popularity is facilitating the social integration of AAC adolescents with their peers. For people requiring AAC, the use of new communication technologies continues to be influential in providing the necessary methods of communication through mainstream devices that inspire social acceptance.

CONCLUSION:

Communication is a fundamental part of human life and for people requiring augmentative and alternative communication it is imperative that they have the necessary tools to ensure that they are able to communicate effectively. The introduction of AAC features in new communication technologies is vastly improving the lives of people with a disability, allowing them access to universally accepted devices. Also, the social development of people struggling to communicate is expedited due to the innovative programs available through modern devices. Moreover, by bringing AAC into the mainstream, new communication technologies have made AAC devices approachable and have thus encouraged more acceptance from society.

The increasing success of the partnership between AAC methods and modern communication technology is generating future projects with the potential to have even more benefits for AAC users. Current technological research to aid people with sensory disabilities includes the development of GPS phone relayed audio descriptions of obstacles in the environment that will be extremely helpful for people with vision impairments (Zheng 2015). Moreover, the new TOBY iPad application for Autistic children is just one of many new technologies for people with ASD currently in a trial period (Moore et al. 2015).

For more information on Handhold Adaptive, click here.

People with a disability and their families continue to embrace the use of iPads and other mobile technologies for AAC systems. However, merely adopting the technology does not guarantee success, as additional supports are often required to maximise outcomes. Nevertheless, the quality of life for people requiring AAC has been enhanced due to new communication technologies, and the infinite potential of these technologies is revolutionary.

REFERENCES:

Christensson, P 2010, ICT, viewed 19 September 2015, <http://techterms.com/definition/ict>.

DeFleur, M. H, Kearney, P, Plax, T. G, DeFleur, M. L 2014, Fundamentals of Human Communication, The McGraw Hill Companies Inc., New York, NY, America.

Gillespie-Lynch, K., Kapp, S.K., Shane-Simpson, C., Smith, D.S. & Hutman, T. 2014, "Intersections between the autism spectrum and the internet: perceived benefits and preferred functions of computer-mediated communication", Intellectual and developmental disabilities, vol. 52, no. 6, pp. 456-469.

Ladner, R.E. 2012, "Communication Technologies for People With Sensory Disabilities", Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 100, no. 4, pp. 957-973.

McNaughton, D. & Light, J. 2013, "The iPad and Mobile Technology Revolution: Benefits and Challenges for Individuals who require Augmentative and Alternative Communication", Augmentative and Alternative Communication, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 107-116.

Moore, D., Venkatesh, S., Anderson, A., Greenhill, S., Phung, D., Duong, T., Cairns, D., Marshall, W., Whitehouse, A 2015, TOBY play-pad application to teach children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A pilot trial, viewed 25 September 2015, < http://autism.telethonkids.org.au/our-research/toby-trial/>.

NIDCD 2012, Communication Problems in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, viewed 19 September 2015, <http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/communication-problems-in-children-with-autism-spectrum-disorder.aspx>.

Parsons, S., Yuill, N., Brosnan, M. & Good, J. 2015, "Innovative technologies for autism: critical reflections on digital bubbles", Journal of Assistive Technologies, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 116-121.

Siri, K & Lyons, T 2013, Cutting-Edge Therapies for Autism 2011-2012, Skyhorse Publishing Inc., viewed 24 September 2015, via Google Books.

Zheng, Y 2015, Encyclopedia of Mobile Phone Behavior, IGI Global, viewed 24 September 2015, via Google Books.

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#8 - Essay Plan

After some research on the topic of communication and technology, I have decided to focus my essay on the benefits of technology upon the communication of people with a disability. Using the same keywords of technology, impact and communication, my research has unearthed a new topic to base my assignment around, and I believe it would be a shame to ignore this research as in my opinion, this new angle will provide a deeper, more insightful essay.

Here is my new 1500 word assignment plan:

TITLE: New Communication Technologies Influencing the Lives of People with a Disability

The INTRODUCTION will define communication and communication technologies. It will then state the claim of the essay before identifying the particular disabilities with the most to gain through technology improving their communication (the three premises).

CLAIM: Certain communication technologies are improving the quality of life for people living with a disability through aiding them in overcoming their communication barriers.

PREMISES: The claim is supported through the impact of new communication technologies in the lives of people requiring AAC through:

Social Development

Accessibility

Social Acceptance

The CONCLUSION will summarise the essay (by restating the claim and three premises) before demonstrating a deeper understanding of the topic through discovering and stating any improvements or suggestions for the future development of the topic.

MIND MAP: (Bubbl.US)

SOURCES (thus far): Main Source (used throughout essay):

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/07434618.2013.784930

Introduction: What is communication?

DeFleur, M. H, Kearney, P, Plax, T. G, DeFleur, M. L 2014, Fundamentals of Human Communication, The McGraw Hill Companies Inc., New York, NY, America.

1. Social Development:

Gillespie-Lynch, K., Kapp, S.K., Shane-Simpson, C., Smith, D.S. & Hutman, T. 2014, "Intersections between the autism spectrum and the internet: perceived benefits and preferred functions of computer-mediated communication", Intellectual and developmental disabilities, vol. 52, no. 6, pp. 456-469.

2. Accessibility:

Ladner, R.E. 2012, "Communication Technologies for People With Sensory Disabilities", Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 100, no. 4, pp. 957-973.

3. Social Acceptance:

Zheng, Y 2015, Encyclopedia of Mobile Phone Behavior, IGI Global, viewed 24 September 2015, via Google Books.

Conclusion:

http://www.dsq-sds.org/article/view/167/167

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#8 - Copyrights©, Trademarks™ & Creative Commons (CC)

What is a Copyright? ©

A copyright gives you ownership over the things you create or your ideas. Copyright law grants the owner several exclusive rights. These include the right:

to reproduce the work

to prepare derivative works

to distribute copies

to perform the work

to display the work publicly

Unless you willingly give up these rights, by giving them to Creative Commons for instance, no one can legally violate them (Bailey, J 2014).

What is a Trademark?™

A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of those, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others (USPTO 2010).

A trademark identifies the brand owner of a particular product or service, however trademarks used to identify services are known as service marks.

The owner of a trademark (or service mark) may pursue legal action against trademark infringement, which occurs when the exclusive rights attached to a trademark are violated (Wikipedia 2015).

References:

Bailey, J 2014, What is a Copyright, viewed 16 September 2015 <https://www.plagiarismtoday.com/stopping-internet-plagiarism/your-copyrights-online/1-what-is-a-copyright/>

USPTO 2010, Trademark, Copyright or Patent?, viewed 16 September 2015 <http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/trade_defin.jsp>

Wikipedia 2015, Trademark, viewed 16 September 2015 <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trademark>

Creative Commons:

Florence’s talent is conveyed through the following picture, video and song, which are provided by Creative Commons, and thus licensed to be used commercially.

Find a picture from Creative Commons

Florence and the Machine, posted by Kevin Utting See here

Find a video from Creative Commons

Florence and the Machine (Beauregard Festival 04-07-2015) See here

Find a song from Creative Commons

Florence and the Machine, Breath of Life - Posted by Mohamed Khalid

It was interesting to discover how many videos, songs and pictures are in fact not available to use due to licensing laws. The quality of the mediums found using the CC Search site were very different compared to what I usually find by typing straight into Google or Youtube. I noticed most of the videos and pictures were taken by amateurs, which really highlights the importance of checking licensing laws when using certain mediums on the Internet.

To use the CC Search yourself, follow this link: https://search.creativecommons.org/

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#7 - Essay Topic

I have decided to write my essay about communication thanks to this topic prompt:

What is communication? Do whales communicate? Do birds? Do atoms? Does DNA communicate? What would you suggest as the limits to communication? When does a failure of human communication occur?

I am interested in researching and writing about this topic due to the Fundamentals of Communication class I took last semester. That class, combined with this one provides an important information base in which I can refer to when writing this essay. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of technology’s (namely the Internet’s) role in modern day communication.

TITLE: Does technology influence communication?

CLAIM: That communication is significantly impacted by the constant advancements of technology.

PREMISES (broken into body paragraphs):

·      What is communication?

·      Positive effects of technology in communication

·      Negative effects of technology in communication

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#7 - GSM, Dimensions & Games

What is GSM?

GSM is the abbreviation for the Global System for Mobile Communications, which is a digital mobile telephony system devised in Europe and is widely used in many countries (Mobileburn, 2013).

Where is the dimension?

Dimensions can be thought of as the different facets of perceived reality. The most common dimension that we deal with daily is the third dimension, which includes anything with length, width and depth found in our universe (Williams, M 2014).

Although the third dimension is the final visible dimension, some scientists believe that the universe is constructed of as many as ten dimensions, leading to the possibilities of different worlds. I found a very interesting article that listed these as the 10 dimensions:

1D – length (x-axis) eg. straight line

2D – length and height (x and y-axis)

3D – length, height and depth (x, y and z-axis)

4D – time

5D – world slightly different than our own

6D – plane of all possible worlds

7D – access to the possible worlds and everything is different

8D – plane of possible universe histories

9D – compare all possible universe histories

10D – everything is possible and the imaginable is covered

For all intents and purposes however, I am sticking to the belief that the third dimension is the final dimension, otherwise I start to get a headache. Although I encourage you to check out this article, so click here :)

What are your favourite computer games?

As soon as this question was brought up in class, my mind automatically thought of the computer game: Zoombinis. This game is an educational, puzzle game developed in 1996 that I grew up playing and this year, a new version of the game was developed for tablets and modern computers. In my opinion, Zoombinis is one of the few games that is beneficial for children to play as it develops their problem-solving skills. It is also my all-time favourite computer game (besides the Sims) and will always hold a place in my heart. If you ever have the chance to play, I would recommend it!

References:

Mobileburn, 2013, What is GSM?, viewed 7 September 2015 http://www.mobileburn.com/definition.jsp?term=GSM

Williams, M 2014, A Universe of 10 Dimensions, viewed 8 September 2015 http://www.universetoday.com/48619/a-universe-of-10-dimensions/

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#6 - Behind the Scenes of Computer Screens

What are/were the Australian Government's plans to censor the Internet?

The so called ‘Clean Feed’ is a Internet censorship service plan recently implemented by the Australian Government in order to ensure that children are “protected from harmful and inappropriate online material” (Travaglione 2009).

This ‘Clean Feed’ requires Internet Service Providers to filter out a prescribed list of banned websites provided by the Australian Communications and Media Authority and is mandatory for all homes, schools and public computers (Travaglione 2009).

What place does censorship have in a democracy?

Due to the fact that Australia is a democratic country, if the government does decide to engage in Internet censorship, they are required to identify clear criteria for blocking content (Travaglione 2009). These guidelines need to be disclosed to the public in order for them to ensure the filtering is used for public protection rather than social and political gain (Travaglione 2009).

I support this Internet censorship, if these conditions are properly met, as there is content on the web that is massively inappropriate for children, or for that matter, anyone to view. This includes illegal websites and for children, anything ‘adult only’. However, there may be a debate on whether some sites, such as online gambling or even some of the more provocative gaming sites should also be banned from adult access. In my opinion, I believe that the government needs to make an informed decision on the guidelines of the Internet censorship, and follow them tenaciously in order to avoid any confusion and conflict.

What are the benefits of the NBN?

Australia’s prayers for a speedier Internet connection have apparently been answered with the National Broadband Network or NBN.

The NBN is an upgrade to Australia’s existing telecommunications infrastructure and consists of fibre-optic cables replacing the current copper ones to provide an all around improved Internet connection service (Optus 2015).

Depending on location, there are different forms of NBN available. Types of NBN include:

NBN Fibre

NBN Fixed Wireless

NBN Satellite

The NBN official site states that “the nbn™ network is essential for Australia’s digital evolution to support future economic and social growth.” (NBN Co Ltd 2015). Furthermore, the APC Magazine published the top 10 benefits of the new nbn™ network:

Telehealth

Remote Learning

Video conferencing

Gaming

Smart Homes

Working from Home

Media Entertainment

Faster two-way Internet

Interactive Shopping

Reach Out and Touch Someone

(Click here for more information)

By all accounts, it would seem that this new network is a positive step in the development of the Internet in Australia.

References:

APC 2011, The Top 10 Benefits of the NBN, viewed 2 September 2015 <http://apcmag.com/life-in-the-nbns-world.htm/>

Optus Pty Limited 2015, What is NBN?, viewed 2 September 2, 2015 <http://www.optus.com.au/shop/broadband/nbn/about-nbn>

NBN Co Ltd 2015, Benefits for Business, viewed 2 September 2015 <http://www.nbnco.com.au/connect-home-or-business/information-for-home-or-business/benefits-for-business.html>

Travaglione, K 2009, Internet Censorship in Australia – A ‘Clean Feed?’, viewed 2 September 2015, < http://www.mannkal.org/downloads/scholars/internet-censorship-in-australia.pdf>

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#6 - “Dear Mr. President”

What is the president up to today?

Via The White House website, you are able to keep up to date with President Obama’s daily dealings. These are his plans for today:

1 September 2015

In the morning, the President will travel to the Seward area, where he will hike to Exit Glacier, participate in a boat tour of Kenai Fjords National Park and have the opportunity to view the effects of climate change firsthand. There will be a pool spray of the hike and the boat tour.

The President will return to Anchorage in the evening and remain overnight in Alaska.

4:00 PM

The President hikes to Exit Glacier

Seward, Alaska Pool Spray

7:50 PM

The President participates in a boat tour of  Kenai Fjords National Park

Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska Pool Spray

Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska

Can you send him a message about the importance of freedom on the Internet?

Via The White House Website, I wrote the President of the United States! It’s as easy as clicking here.

“Dear President Obama,

My name is Philippa Arrowsmith and I am a 19-year-old student, currently studying a bachelor of Public Relations and Communications at Griffith University on the Gold Coast, in Queensland, Australia.

As a part of my course, each week I am given tasks in order to further my understanding of the Internet and develop skills that will prove essential to excelling in my future career in this Internet dependent era.

Due to the rise of the Internet as a leading way of communication, freedom on the Internet is enabling freedom of expression, and as such its importance is significant.

I believe people have the right to express their opinions over the Internet, however there are also some ideals that may not be as innocent as others. I am intrigued to hear your thoughts on freedom of the Internet, and how you deal with those who abuse that right.

I look forward to your reply,

Sincerely,

Philippa Arrowsmith.”

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#6 - Online News & Blogs

Respond to a professional blogger at a major news site.

Rock singer Chrissie Hynde has recently made some comments about victims of rape that were not well received by the overall public. Since her remarks, she has been slammed on social media. There are multiple articles on this topic, and I have chosen to respond to a blog made by Daniel Welsh, through The Huffington Post UK.

Chrissie Hynde Criticised Over ‘Rape’ Remarks: ‘If You Dress Proactively, You’re Enticing Someone Who’s Already Unhinged’

By Daniel Welsh, Posted: 30/08/2015

After reading this article, I left a comment on professional blogger Daniel Welsh’s blog:

“I believe that victims of sexual offences should not be inclined to blame themselves, and in my opinion Chrissie Hynde’s comments are clumsy and insensitive. My opinion is supported with an article on the Australian by Anne Barrowclough, which states that rapists impose their fantasies on their victims, regardless of what they were wearing (Barrowclough 2015).”

References:

Barrowclough, A 2015, ‘Rapists admit their crime is about violence, not sex’, The Australian, 30 August, viewed 30 August 2015

<http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/rapists-admit-their-crime-is-about-violence-not-sex/story-e6frg6zo-1227506093485>

Welsh, D 2015, “Chrissie Hynde Criticised Over ‘Rape’ Remarks: ‘If You Dress Proactively, You’re Enticing Someone Who’s Already Unhinged’”, The Huffington Post UK, 30 August, viewed 30 August

<http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/08/30/chrissie-hynde_n_8060748.html>

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#6 - Online Politics in Australia

Who are your local, state and federal representatives?

Local: Councilor Cameron Caldwell, Local Gold Coast City Council member, Division 3

State: Verity Barton MP, State member for Broadwater

Federal: Stuart Robert MP, Northern Gold Coast Representative, Moncrieff Division

 Send one a message.

Councilor Cameron Caldwell is the local representative for Division 3 on the Gold Coast. This division includes the suburbs of Boykambil, Coombabah (part of), Coomera, Hollywell, Hope Island, Paradise Point, Pimpama (part of), Runaway Bay (part of), Sanctuary Cove, Santa Barbara, South Stradbroke Island and Sovereign Islands.

These are Cr Caldwell’s contact details:

Phone: 07 5581 1680 Fax:     07 5577 4028 Email: division3@goldcoast.qld.gov.au

I will not be contacting my local member at this time because currently I have no issues or inquires for Division 3. I am pleased to know who my local representative is however, and I have the means to contact him if I ever have cause to in the future.

http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/council/cr-cameron-caldwell-753.html

When was the last time your local/state member spoke in parliament?

“The Record of Proceedings (Hansard) is the official record of the debates and procedures of the Queensland Parliament's Legislative Assembly; that is, it is a record of what is said in the House and a record of the procedural events of the House. The Record of Proceedings is commonly referred to as Hansard.”

< https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/hansard>

State member for the Broadwater, Verity Barton attended a sitting on 18 August 2015, which can be found in the Record of Proceedings (Hansard) on the Queensland Parliament website. This sitting covered “Estimates - Legislative Assembly and Parliamentary Services”

Let your state member know what you thought about their last speech.

State member for Broadwater, Verity Barton’s last speech was “Appropriation (Parliament) Bill; Appropriation Bill” and occurred on 16 July 2015.

I feel uncomfortable making any comments regarding this speech as I am uninformed about the content and thus have no opinions to share. Therefore I feel as if commenting would be disrespectful and unnecessary.

However if I ever did wish to respond to a speech I feel strongly about in the future, I now have the skills to do so.

Sign an e-petition.

I was pleased to be able to sign a petition to increase penalties for those who commit acts of domestic violence as I do support this cause. It was also interesting to realise the amount of e-petitions there are, and how easy it is to sign one. Click here to view this e-petition, and others, via the Queensland Parliament website.

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#6 - Politics and the Internet

This week we were asked to complete a number of tasks involving politics on the Internet. The completion of these tasks will be demonstrated via this post and more to come.

What are the characteristics of a "white hat" hacker?

Using the knowledge gained from watching CSI Cyber, when I think of a “white hat” hacker I think of a hacker using their talents for “good”, usually working for various organisations and keeping within the law. As opposed to their counterparts “black hat” hackers who use their skills maliciously and usually work outside of the law.

Techopedia describes the work of a “white hat” or “ethical” hacker as benefitting society. Previously they may have been “black hat” hackers and have been reformed, or have always used their knowledge and skills ethically and without malicious intent (Techopedia, 2015).

Reference:

Techopedia 2015, White Hat Hacker, viewed 1 September 2015,

<https://www.techopedia.com/definition/10349/white-hat-hacker>

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#5 - Survey Results Discussed

The majority (60%) of respondents were aged between 18 and 29 and according to the results, it would seem that Facebook and Instagram are the most used platforms with Twitter used the least.

The number 1 reason for using social media is "seeing what people are up to" and 80% of respondents allegedly spend between 1-10hrs on social media each day on average. The Australian average is 3.6hrs a day spent on social media (Jacobs, 2014).

Of all those hours spent on social media, only 30% of respondents are concerned about their privacy online. However, 50% of respondents have met someone online, before meeting in person. This could represent a slight lack of concern in the Australian public with regards to their privacy on social media.

The most obvious contrast in results can be seen in question 6. 90% of respondents are yet to use social media for business/income purposes. This could be due to the fact that the majority of Australian's are still not comfortable with using social media for reasons other than entertainment.

Jacobs, J. 2013, “Falling behind - business use of social media in Australia”, Keeping Good Companies, vol. 65, no. 5, pp. 303-306.

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#5 - Survey Results

So the results are in! There were ten respondents to my survey, take a look at what we found out!

1. What is your gender?

Answer Choices:                             Responses:

Male                                                    50% (5)

Female                                                50% (5)

2. What is your age?

Answer Choices:                             Responses:

<18                                                     20% (2)

18 – 29                                               60% (6)

30 – 44                                                 0% (0)

45 – 59                                               10% (1)

60+                                                     10% (1)

3. Which social media platform do you use the most?

Answer Choices:                             Responses:

Facebook                                            40% (4)

Instagram                                          40% (4)

Twitter                                                 0% (0)

Snapchat                                            10% (1)

Other                                                  10% (1)

                                                          Youtube

4. Would you say that you are dependent on social media?

Answer Choices:                             Responses:

Yes                                                      50% (5)

No                                                       50% (5)

5. On average, how many hours do you spend each day on social media?

Answer Choices:                             Responses:

1 – 5hrs                                              40% (4)

6 – 10hrs                                           40% (4)

11 – 15hrs                                         20% (2)

16 – 20hrs                                           0% (0)

More than 20hrs                                 0% (0)

6. Have you ever used social media for income or business?

Answer Choices:                             Responses:

Yes                                                      10% (1)

No                                                       90% (9)

7. Have you ever met someone on social media?

Answer Choices:                             Responses:

Yes                                                      50% (5)

No                                                       50% (5)

8. Do you have concerns about privacy when using social media?

Answer Choices:                             Responses:

Yes                                                      30% (3)

No                                                       70% (7)

9. Have you ever regretted something you’ve posted on social media?

Answer Choices:                             Responses:

Yes                                                      20% (2)

No                                                       80% (8)

10. What is the main reason you use social media for?

Answer Choices:                             Responses:

Talking to friends                               20% (2)

News and Information                       10% (1)

Seeing what people are up to           40% (4)

Entertainment                                    10% (1)

Learning                                              0% (0)

Other                                                  20% (2)

                                                            Promotional work

                                                            Meeting chicks

[philippakate833-blog]

#5 - $ocial Media is good for more than just “being social”

I am registered on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and Youtube however I only regularly use Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. Even then, I rarely post, I mainly use Facebook as a way of messaging friends and organising events, whereas Instagram and Snapchat are good ways to see what people are up to.

In my opinion I don’t think I’m addicted to social media as I have been known to go ‘off the grid’ sometimes when I get bored. However I believe that social media can sometimes be the best way to contact people, and stay in touch with those in your network.

In saying that however, recently I have been made aware that I could use Facebook to complete a transaction. Using the Facebook via the Griffith Textbook Exchange page I was able to purchase my textbooks from people I had never met.

There is growing use of social media platforms for income and business purposes however with regards to the number of Australians using social media daily, Australian businesses are yet to gauge the full potential from promotional work via social media.

In Australia an average of six hours per week is spent on Facebook alone and one in every five minutes is spent on social media (Jacobs, 2013). Even so, according to Joanne Jacobs, only 27% of online businesses use social media and most of those fail to branch out further than Facebook or Twitter (Jacobs, 2013).

Business use of social media in Australia is labelled as unimaginative and immature, and is falling behind when compared to countries such as the U.K. and the U.S. (Jacobs, 2013). Considering the increasing popularity of social media, businesses need to capatilise on the opportunities that these platforms provide by improving their operations, rather than focussing on trivial brand reputation (Jacobs, 2013).

Reference:

Jacobs, J. 2013, "Falling behind - business use of social media in Australia", Keeping Good Companies, vol. 65, no. 5, pp. 303-306.

[philippakate833-blog]

#5 - Social Media and You.

Social media is quickly becoming a major part in everyday life and like it or not, it has a significant impact on many aspects of this modern day society. Whether its positive or negative, social media has an impact on politics, business, socialisation and privacy on the web (Ta, 2014). And not only does this involve the obvious platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, but even Youtube and snapchat are considered as social media platforms, impacting our lives.

You might be surprised at just how much time you spend on social media, so please complete my survey below to see the part that social media plays in your life. Click here to take my survey :)

Reference:

Ta, J 2014, What Impact Has Social Media Truly Had On Society, viewed 24 August 2015,

http://www.business2community.com/social-media/impact-social-media-truly-society-0974685

[philippakate833-blog]

#4 - Cyber this and Cyber that

Cybernetics -

“... is the scientific study of how people, animals, and machines control and communicate information”. (Merriam-Webster, accessed 2015)

What is an example of a cybernetic product from your own life?

I control and communicate information via my phone and laptop everyday. Messaging someone using a machine, and having them reply is an example of cybernetics in action.

Is iTunes a cybernetic system? Is the University?

Yes, iTunes is a cybernetic system because it allows a person to communicate and control their music. Furthermore, iTunes Radio allows communication between multiple people within the system.

Griffith University does rely heavily on computer servers such as the Griffith website including the portal and Learning@Griffith in order to communicate information between students, teachers and people outside this community. Because of this, the university can be considered a cybernetic environment, however in this day and age, it is necessary to include elements of cybernetics in order to stay relevant.

Do cybernetics leave out the human element?

There are many debates about people using their ‘machines’ to communicate over speaking in person, taking away this generation’s ability to speak face-to-face with others. Although this may be true, I believe that messages still have certain signatures on them that are human. It is up to the individual to decide what to write and how to write it, the computer or phone is merely the device in which the message is transferred to the receiver.

Cyberpunk -

“... is a subgenre of science fiction in a future setting, noted for its focus on ‘high tech and low life’.” (Wikipedia, accessed 2015) In other words, a “futuristic” subgenre in film.

What is an example of Cyberpunk from your own media consumption?

Before this week, I never knew about the subgenre of cyberpunk, however after learning this term, I am familiar with certain cyberpunk stories. The Hunger Games and iRobot are the main films I can think of. As it turns out I am not a huge fan of this subgenre, although I enjoyed both of those movies. I also like the movie Avatar, which is a mix of multiple genres however contains futuristic technology.

Is Hunger Games cyberpunk or fantasy?

Fantasy as a genre can take place in any time (past, present or future) and/or in a different world. Usually it involves magic, mythological creatures and quests with Harry Potter as a key example of the fantasy genre.

Sci-Fi or its subgenre cyberpunk on the other hand, usually takes place in the future and has a strong link to futuristic technologies and societies and/or space discoveries.

Sci-Fi and fantasy can be linked and occasionally a story can represent both (eg. Avatar), however The Hunger Games would be classed as science fiction over fantasy.

[philippakate833-blog]

#4 - What is Cyberspace?

Cyberspace is an intangible realm in which Internet activity takes place. The term was first coined by science-fiction writer William Gibson, however that is not to say that cyberspace isn’t real. It can be thought of as the equivalent to the human psyche, where thinking and dreaming occurs, though in the ‘minds’ of computers (Business Dictionary, 2015). All websites, including social media sites like Facebook, or large search engines like Google are part of cyberspace, as seen above.