JustRun - Social GPS Running Game

With advances in technology allowing people to live more sedentary lives, more and more people are struggling to live a healthy active lifestyle. In the efforts to combat unhealthy styles of living, we wish to introduce a mobile app that takes advantage of motivational game mechanics to motivate players will make go on runs regularly

Embracing AI-Based Education: Perceived Social Presence of Human Teachers and Expectations About Machine Teachers in Online Education

Technological advancements in education have turned the idea of machines as teachers into a reality. To better understand this phenomenon, the present study explores how college students develop expectations (or anticipations) about a machine teacher, particularly an AI teaching assistant. Specifically, the study examines whether students’ previous experiences with online courses taught by a human teacher would influence their expectations about AI teaching assistants in future online courses. An online survey was conducted to collect data from college students in the United States. Findings indicate that positively experienced social presence of a human teacher helps develop positive expectations about an AI teaching assistant. The study provides meaningful implications and contributions to our understanding of a machine agent in education

Strategies to Reduce Employee Turnover in Childcare Centers

Organizations across the United States pay billions of dollars annually to combat employee turnover. Organizations may pay over 250% of a departing employee’s salary. As high employee turnover negatively impacts the profitability of organizations, it is vital childcare center directors have strategies to reduce employee turnover. This qualitative multiple case study explored strategies childcare center directors have used to reduce employee turner. The research participants consisted of 4 purposefully selected childcare center directors of nonfranchised childcare centers in Houston, Texas, with more than 5 years of experience who implemented strategies to reduce employee turnover. The conceptual framework for this study was the job embeddedness theory. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and organizational documents. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis that resulted in the emergence of 4 main themes: the importance of compensation, effective managerial communication, a strong organizational culture, and a rewards and recognition program. Implications for positive social change include the potential for improved employment stability and community development. Sustained employment provides employees with a consistent source of income that gives families disposable funds to spend throughout a community. Additionally, when a greater number of people are employed within a community a larger tax base may be created for local municipalities to invest back into initiatives to improve communities

Management of Virtual Offices

Many organizational leaders manage virtual employees without the specific training and experience required for leading a virtual organization, which can lead to billions of dollars in lost productivity. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies managers used to manage a virtual office. The target population consisted of 4 managers located in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States who had a minimum of 2 years of experience managing virtual offices. The conceptual framework for this study was social exchange theory. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of company documents. Data were analyzed using manual coding and a qualitative data analysis software; member checking and triangulation were used to enhance validity. Key themes emerged from data analysis related to management strategies: communication, leadership, and developing relationships. The results of this study might contribute to social change by supporting managers of virtual offices in reducing organizational travel costs and energy use, and supporting work-life balance through virtual business practices

A Systematic Review of Social Presence: Definition, Antecedents, and Implications

Social presence, or the feeling of being there with a “real” person, is a crucial component of interactions that take place in virtual reality. This paper reviews the concept, antecedents, and implications of social presence, with a focus on the literature regarding the predictors of social presence. The article begins by exploring the concept of social presence, distinguishing it from two other dimensions of presence—telepresence and self-presence. After establishing the definition of social presence, the article offers a systematic review of 233 separate findings identified from 152 studies that investigate the factors (i.e., immersive qualities, contextual differences, and individual psychological traits) that predict social presence. Finally, the paper discusses the implications of heightened social presence and when it does and does not enhance one's experience in a virtual environment

Human-Machine Communication: Complete Volume. Volume 4

This is the complete volume of HMC Volume 4