Communication Technology & Social Change

Post 10: Technology In Your Community

2011-11-01T14:17:00.000-07:00

For this posting, think of an example of a communication technology that has been adopted in your community. Discuss some its unintended, negative consequences for the community as a whole. Were these negative effects addressed by the diffusion agent or by the adopters? If not, come up with suggestions how these consequences could be corrected in the future.

Post 9: FInal Paper Outline

2011-10-26T19:57:00.000-07:00

A handout outlining the parameters of the final paper project will be distributed in class. Good luck!

Post 8: Blogs

2011-10-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

On Monday we are going to be talking about blogs. Do you read blogs? If yes, why? What do you expect from a blog you would consider to be good or interesting? If no, find a blog on a topic that would be of interest to you. What did you like about the blog? Would you visit it again? Please justify your answer and link to at least one blog that you've visited.

Post 7: Distance Education

2011-10-12T14:44:00.000-07:00

Please discuss your personal experience with distance education. Have you taken any online courses? If so, were you satisfied with the experience? If not, can you think of some possible benefits/drawbacks of online classes?

If you had a choice between an online or offline version of the same class, which one would you choose? Back up your choice with convincing arguments.

PLEASE NOTE: Bring your laptop to the next class for an in-class activity.

Post 6: John Atanasoff

2011-10-03T12:33:00.000-07:00

For this posting you will research the background of John Vincent Atanasoff, “the forgotten father of the computer.” Some suggested areas include: his Childhood and Family; Student years; Student and Professor at Iowa State College; Invention of the Digital Computer, the ABC; Other inventions; Legal battle between ENIAC and ABC; Bulgarian ancestry. Please don’t forget to list your sources.

Post 5: Technology and Interpersonal Relationships

2011-09-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

For this posting let’s continue our in-class discussion about the invasiveness of technology in everyday life. Please reflect on the impacts of technology (e.g., cell phones/texting, Facebook, Skype/MSN Messenger, blogs, etc.) on our interpersonal relationships with friends, family and significant others.

Keep in mind this reference to Baudrillard when writing your posting:

“We are more and more ‘wired’ to our interfaces. We react to simulations – to the television news rather than the world, to a computer program rather than social interaction, to email rather than vocal communication.” (Murphie & Potts, 2003, Chapter 1, pg. 16)

Post 4: Technology at Home

2011-09-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

In this posting, list all the communication technologies you own. Then discuss (1) the purpose of each technology—i.e., what you use it for; (2) how much time you spend using each technology; (3) what are some of the intended and unintended consequences for you and your lifestyle.

Post 3: Create your own Adopter Categories

2011-09-07T19:15:00.001-07:00

For this posting, come up with your own adopter categories. Name each one of them and describe the characteristics of each group.

Post 2: Innovation Attributes

2011-08-29T17:54:00.000-07:00

Today we learned that the characteristics of a technology significantly influence its adoption. For this post, please choose an innovation that you are familiar with and rate it according to each of the five innovation attributes discussed by Rogers. How do these attributes affect the adoption rate in this particular case? Are there any other attributes that one may need to consider?

Feel free to add examples, images or statistics to support your arguments.

Introduction

2011-08-27T21:13:00.000-07:00

Hi All,
My name is Melinda (Mindy) Heinz. I just added this class on Thursday, so I haven't met any of you in person yet. I'm in the second year of the PhD program here at Iowa State in Human Development and Family Studies, minoring in Gerontology. I chose Iowa State honestly because of the location (I am a native Iowan and really like it here). My research interests are all things related to Gerontology (i.e., aging), particularly older adult technology use. When I am not at school I really enjoy reading and being outside. I think this class will be great in terms of getting me on the right track for my dissertation!

Self-introduction Yuwei Sun

2011-08-24T20:03:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I'm Yuwei Sun from China. I am a new graduate student in Greenleen Journalism and Mass Communication school. For the past six years I was living and studying in Hong Kong. I finished my high school and college there. I had a bachelor degree in International Journalism with a minor in French. My undergraduate study of journalism was in a very practical approach which taught me how to interview different people, how to write articles for newspapers and how to shoot videos. So I was started thinking it was better for me to equip with some theoretical knowledge in journalism and communication. That's the reason why I came here.

My current field of interest is media impact and international communication. But since I have not really involved in a research, this interest may changed in the near future. I hope to work for media outlets and news agencies after graduation.
Nice to meet you all.

Introduction-Jasmine

2011-08-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

I am Shuyang Qu (Jasmine) from China. I am a second year graduate student majoring in Journalism and Mass Communication. I like Iowa State because of its good academic environment and strong academic ability. Also, I love the cold weather~

My research interest lies in science and risk communication, especially when social change or diffusion is involved~

I hope we learn from each other and have a good time in this class.

Jasmine

Post 1: Self Introduction

2011-08-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our class blog! In your first posting, please introduce yourself and tell us where you are from and what brought you to Iowa State University. What do you like to do when you are not in school? Feel free to add a photo to your profile or share other information about your background.

The deadline for the blog posts is Sunday at midnight. Remember, the blog is open to the general public to read so please make sure you communicate in a professional manner.

Post 10: Your Ideas

2007-10-30T21:22:00.001-07:00

For this posting I would like to ask for your ideas about our online class meeting on Nov. 15:
What kind of topics do you want us to discuss in the chat? Any specific technology issues or current examples of technology diffusion that we could focus on? Should we have a required reading beforehand? A moderator for the chat? Any rules for our virtual community?

Look forward to your feedback and suggestions.

Post 9: Facebook

2007-10-23T20:50:00.000-07:00

One theory of interaction says that "action discloses the 'who'” - that is, even when we interact with old friends, we still can find out unique, surprising, and exciting things about them. To what extent do you believe Facebook "discloses the who"? If Facebook already discloses everything, or if you believe that it hides the “real” person, what consequence does that have for our interpersonal interactions off-line?

Note: If you don’t use Facebook discuss a similar social networking system you are familiar with.

Post 8: Final Paper Outline

2007-10-16T18:51:00.001-07:00

For this posting, identify a topic you would like to focus on for your final paper. Provide the main research question(s) you are going to investigate. Outline the sections of the paper and explain which theory will guide your paper. Then, find two articles or books that seem relevant to your topic and give their complete citation.

If anyone is interested in a final project—either individual or group project—please let me know. Your posting can describe the scope of the project and the main research question you are planning on studying.

More details about final paper/ project will come in class. Good luck!

Post 7: Must-have technologies?

2007-10-09T21:04:00.000-07:00

In a previous blog we discussed all the communications technologies we use on a daily basis in our homes. Now, consider which of these technologies you would give up if you were forced to. How would this impact your life? How would you compensate for the loss? Which is the one communication technology you could not live without?

Post 6: Online Self Representation

2007-10-03T20:13:00.000-07:00

Answer the questions below based on your own "online existence," whether that be with a personal blog, Facebook or MySpace account, or other online profile you may have. If you do not have an online existence, answer the questions regarding a close friend or family member who does.

First, explain your reasons for having a Web presence. Self-expression? Keep track of friends/family? Find group community?

Next, tell us how much you divulge about your personal life and yourself in your blog or online account. Do you provide a photograph of yourself on your blog/online account? Address or email?

Post 5: Effects on Interpersonal Relationships

2007-09-18T19:48:00.000-07:00

Our in-class discussion today about the invasiveness of technology in everyday life was excellent. For this posting let’s continue this discussion and reflect on the impacts of technology (e.g., cell phones/texting, Facebook, Skype/MSN Messenger, blogs, etc.) on our interpersonal relationships with friends, family and significant others.

As a side note: some students were asking me about Dr. Bugeja’s research and our joint projects so I thought I should post these links:

Bugeja's book site: http://www.interpersonal-divide.org/

Our joint research: http://www.halfnotes.org

Post 4: Communication Technologies at Home

2007-09-11T11:34:00.000-07:00

Post 3: Create Your Own Adopter Categories

2007-09-04T15:23:00.000-07:00

For this posting, come up with your own adopter categories. They can be two, three, or ten categories--as many as you deem necessary. Name each one of them and describe the characteristics of each group according to your own categorization. Don't forget to address the socio-economic and personality characteristics as well as the communication behavior of each group.

2007-09-02T19:19:00.000-07:00

For this post I decided to write about the newest technology on the block: iPhone, as it’s one of the most elegant and ravishing phones I've seen so far, due largely to its simple, sleek design and impeccable, intuitive user interface। While fashion phone fans are used to teensy handsets might disagree, the iPhone doesn't feel too unwieldy and at just under 12mm thick, it is certainly pocket able. It presents you with a Home screen: Text, Calendar, Camera, Photos, Camera, Calculator, Stocks, Maps, Weather, Notes, Clock and Settings. At the bottom of the screen are the iPhone's four functions: Phone, Mail, Web and iPod.

Compatibility: Although the iPhone is fully compatible with Apple's iTunes programs, but not with other applications or software. It does not run on the fastest cell phone network, nor is touch screen interface is easy to use, and does not have GPS, technology that gives turn-by-turn directions. It doesn't let users download music and videos wirelessly; and one still needs to connect to their computer to do that.

Complexity: I thought the phone is fairy easy to use। If one loves to play with gadgets. But the virtual keys and the lack of a tactile click feeling won't be very preferred way of text entry. Also I thought an electronic pen was necessary for accurate and faster typing.

Trialability: I do not think iphone comes with a tail offer, as a result this makes it a thought out purchase On the other hand people who do want this expensive phone, will be happy to pay any price to have this “cool gadget”

Observability: Since it’s the latest technology in the market, and one of the most expensive one, it will take time to gain acceptability, more over since it’s an apple product, it’s only compatible with other apple devices, making it once again a difficult buy।

I think the iphone is undoubtedly becoming a lifestyle, with smart phones such as the Blackberry’s in the market, But if it does live up to the hype, it has the potential to change how people interact with their cell phones, computers and each other.

Post 2: Innovation Attributes

2007-08-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

Post 2: Please choose an innovation that you are familiar with and rate it according to each of the five innovation attributes discussed by Rogers. How do these attributes affect the adoption rate in this particular case? Are there any other attributes that one may need to consider? Which one of the five seems to be the most important attribute?

Post 1: Welcome Fall 2007 Students

2007-08-23T08:21:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our class blog. In your first posting, please introduce yourself and tell us where you are from and what brought you to Iowa State University. What do you like to do when you are not in school? Feel free to add a photo to your profile. The deadline for the blogs is Sunday midnight. Remember, the blog is open to the general public to read.

Friday's Get-Together

2006-12-13T11:00:00.000-08:00

will take place at the Pizza Pit, 4:30 PM.
Hope everyone can be there!

P.S.: please bring something to exchange with others! :)

Personal Homepage Address

2006-11-05T13:34:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

My presentation next week will be about personal homepages.
If you have your own page, it would be great if you could post the link.
Thank you and enjoy the lovely weather! :)

Post 10: Technology and Privacy

2006-11-02T15:14:00.000-08:00

Have you ever experienced any kind of personal information theft by others in a real world? (For example, your credit card information is used by others or your other personal information is used by others) If so, please share your experieces. If not, what do you think about the access to your personal information on the internet or new technolgy?

Communication Technology & Social Change

2006-11-02T15:12:00.000-08:00

Communication Technology & Social Change

More communication technologies for American Idol

2006-10-27T20:04:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard about American Idol?
It is a Television series screened on the Fox Network. It is a singing talent contest to determine the best "undiscovered" young singers in the country. Viewers can vote for their favorite singer by making a phone call or sending SMS.
What communication technologies can be used in the kind of TV program? And what communicaiton technologies can be used for the voting? You can apply an existing one, and you can also create one by imagine.
This is not an official post. But if there is something you are interested in, please say something here. Thank you and have a nice weekend:)

Post 9: Final Paper Outline

2006-10-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

Post 8: Audience Fragmentation

2006-10-17T16:57:00.000-07:00

Some scholars have argued that the Internet leads to increased fragmentation between people. In this posting, please offer some solutions about how this problem can be alleviated.

Post 7: Chinese Broadcasting System

2006-10-13T06:19:00.000-07:00

What do you think is the most significant difference between China's broadcasting system and your own country's? Do you think new technology plays a very important role in this system?

Friedman Interview

2006-09-21T18:11:00.000-07:00

Hi class,

For those of you interested in learning more about Tom Friedman’s book “The World Is Flat,” you can visit the following link and watch a streaming video of his lecture at MIT:

http://mitworld.mit.edu/video/266/

Post 5: John Vincent Atanasoff

2006-09-19T17:07:00.000-07:00

Post 4: Technology at Home

2006-09-14T07:45:00.000-07:00

Interpersonal Divide

2006-09-12T19:40:00.000-07:00

Class,

Great discussion today. Feel free to express more views online under this posting.

Here are a couple of useful links:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/
Bugeja's book site: http://www.interpersonal-divide.org/
Our joint research: http://www.halfnotes.org

Post 3: Create Your Own Adopter Categories

2006-09-06T06:56:00.000-07:00

For this posting, come up with your own adopter categories. Name each one of them and describe the characteristics of each group.

Post 2

2006-09-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

Post 6: Electronic Government in Developing Countries

2006-09-03T09:43:00.000-07:00

The main idea of my proposal is to have a varied and multicultural discussion and data recolection of all the effords, policies, strategic plans and implementaton and diffusion activites each governments (from the perspective of developing or small countries, because Korea is not a devloping country or China) have being doing during the past 5 year or so to encourage de adoption from the citizens and to cross analize this effords in order to stablish commonly basis or a framework that these countries have been working with even without having any communication or related activities with each others. I have been tracing the activity from Malaysia and Mexico, so it woul be very interesting to compare the information with these other countries. I will be so glad to have all the information that you can provide so that we can have a very participative discussion. I'll hope to see your posting, thanks.

Post 1: Welcome

2006-08-14T21:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our class blog. In your first posting, please introduce yourself and tell us where you are from and what brought you to Iowa State University. Feel free to add a photo to your profile.