Serious leisure in the digital world: exploring the information behaviour of fan communities

This research investigates the information behaviour of cult media fan communities on the internet, using three novel methods which have not previously been applied to this domain. Firstly, a review, analysis and synthesis of the literature related to fan information behaviour, both within the disciplines of LIS and fan studies, revealed unique aspects of fan information behaviour, particularly in regards to produsage, copyright, and creativity. The findings from this literature analysis were subsequently investigated further using the Delphi method and tag analysis. A new Delphi variant – the Serious Leisure Delphi – was developed through this research. The Delphi study found that participants expressed the greatest levels of consensus on statements on fan behaviour that were related to information behaviour and information-related issues. Tag analysis was used in a novel way, as a tool to examine information behaviour. This found that fans have developed a highly granular classification system for fanworks, and that on one particular repository a ‘curated folksonomy’ was being used with great success. Fans also use tags for a variety of reasons, including communicating with one another, and writing meta-commentary on their posts. The research found that fans have unique information behaviours related to classification, copyright, entrepreneurship, produsage, mentorship and publishing. In the words of Delphi participants – “being in fandom means being in a knowledge space,” and “fandom is a huge information hub just by existing”. From these findings a model of fan information behaviour has been developed, which could be further tested in future research

Serious Leisure In The Digital World: Exploring The Information Behaviour Of Fan Communities

This research investigates the information behaviour of cult media fan communities on the internet, using three novel methods which have not previously been applied to this domain. Firstly, a review, analysis and synthesis of the literature related to fan information behaviour, both within the disciplines of LIS and fan studies, revealed unique aspects of fan information behaviour, particularly in regards to produsage, copyright, and creativity. The findings from this literature analysis were subsequently investigated further using the Delphi method and tag analysis. A new Delphi variant – the Serious Leisure Delphi – was developed through this research. The Delphi study found that participants expressed the greatest levels of consensus on statements on fan behaviour that were related to information behaviour and information-related issues. Tag analysis was used in a novel way, as a tool to examine information behaviour. This found that fans have developed a highly granular classification system for fanworks, and that on one particular repository a ‘curated folksonomy’ was being used with great success. Fans also use tags for a variety of reasons, including communicating with one another, and writing meta-commentary on their posts. The research found that fans have unique information behaviours related to classification, copyright, entrepreneurship, produsage, mentorship and publishing. In the words of Delphi participants – “being in fandom means being in a knowledge space,” and “fandom is a huge information hub just by existing”. From these findings a model of fan information behaviour has been developed, which could be further tested in future research

Writing in the Age of Speed

This dissertation argues that speed characterizes the world of technology in the twenty-first century. The ideologies inherent in technologies have always been of enormous interest to historians, philosophers, and political scientists. More recently, due to the penetration of electronic technologies into the human cultural experience and, inevitably, into the composition and rhetoric classroom, English Studies scholars have begun to investigate this relationship as well. Although speed has been identified as one characteristic of the Internet era, I propose that it is instead foundational. As an historical review of the arrival of new technologies reveals, speed is inextricably connected to technology and to narratives of progress. Scholars interrogating speed, such as Virillio, Gurak, and Ericksen, have clustered at one of two ends of a response spectrum: speed is either good or bad. However, I argue for a more nuanced approach to understanding speed- and explore both the characteristics of a culture dominated by speed and the effects upon writing and the teaching of writing.After an examination of speed as cultural dominant and its inevitable imbrication with globalism, I describe the characteristics of speed culture and its citizens and develop the concept of time zones through which some speed culture citizens move fluently, while others do not. Access to knowledge and access to technology ensure zone fluency and I demonstrate that speed culture's assumptions about access increase the barriers to zone fluidity.I argue that the effects of speed culture on writing are especially significant for scholars in the field of composition and rhetoric. I explore how writing is shaped within speed culture by developing the concept of speed-sponsored literacies: literacies dependent upon values of speed culture evident in the testing emphases of American Education and the federal government's cynical promotion of the "No Child Left Behind Act" in contrast to literacies dependent upon the logic of the network. Writing itself, I argue, is being remade because of the demand for speed literacy. As teachers and scholars of composition and rhetoric move towards an understanding of the notion of speed literacy, they will be better able to work with students - and each other - to engender the essential critical literacies necessary in the age of speed

2010 Bluestone

The Bluestone is the yearbook of James Madison University.https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/allyearbooks/1103/thumbnail.jp

Annual Report of the University, 2001-2002, Volumes 1-4

VITAL ACADEMIC CLIMATE* by Brian Foster, Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs A great university engages students and faculty fully in important ideas and issues ... not just to learn about them, but to take them apart and put them back together, to debate, deconstruct, resist, reconstruct and build upon them. Engagement of this sort takes concentration and commitment, and it produces the kind of discipline and passion that leads to student and faculty success and satisfaction in their studies, research, performance, artistic activity and service. It is also the kind of activity that creates a solid, nurturing spirit of community. This is what we mean when we talk about a vital academic climate. We are striving for an environment that will enrich the social, cultural and intellectual lives of all who come in contact with the University. Many things interconnect to make this happen: curriculum, co-curricular activities, conferences, symposia, cultural events, community service, research and social activity. Our goal is to create the highest possible level of academic commitment and excitement at UNM. This is what characterizes a truly great university. *Strategic Direction 2 New Mexico native Andres C. Salazar, a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Michigan State University, has been named the PNM Chair in Microsystems, Commercialization and Technology. Carrying the title of professor, the PNM Chair is a joint appointment between the School of Engineering and the Anderson Schools of Management. Spring 2002 graduate John Probasco was selected a 2002 Rhodes Scholar, the second UNM student to be so honored in the past four years. The biochemistry major from Alamogordo previously had been awarded the Goldwater Scholarship and the Truman Scholarship. Andres c. Salazar Biology student Sophie Peterson of Albuquerque was one of 30 students nationwide to receive a 2002-2003 Award of Excellence from Phi Kappa Phi, the oldest and largest national honor society. Regents\\u27 Professor of Communication and Journalism Everett M. Rogers was selected the University\\u27s 4 71h Annual Research Lecturer, the highest honor UNM bestows upon members of its faculty. John Probasco honored by Student Activities Director Debbie Morris. New Mexico resident, author and poet Simon}. Ortiz received an Honorary Doctorate of Letters at Spring Commencement ceremonies. Child advocate Angela Angie Vachio, founder and executive director of Peanut Butter and Jelly Family Services, Inc., was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. American Studies Assistant Professor Amanda}. Cobb won the 22 d annual American Book Award for listening to Our Grandmothers\\u27 Stories: The Bloomfield Academy for Chickasaw Females, 1852-1949

Accessibility at Film Festivals: Guidelines for Inclusive Subtitling

In today's media-dominated world, the imperative for accessibility has never been greater, and ensuring that audiovisual experiences cater to individuals with sensory disabilities has become a pressing concern. One of the key initiatives in this endeavour is inclusive subtitling (IS), a practice rooted in the broader contexts of subtitling for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH/CC), audiovisual translation studies (AVTS), media accessibility studies (MAS), and the evolving field of Deaf studies (DS). This study aims to offer a comprehensive exploration of how inclusive subtitling contributes to fostering accessible and inclusive audiovisual experiences, with a particular focus on its implications within the unique environment of film festivals. To gain a holistic perspective of inclusive subtitling, it is essential to examine its lineage in relation to analogous practices, which is the focus of the first chapter. Inclusive subtitling is an extension of SDH/CC, designed for individuals with hearing impairments, and SDH/CC, in turn, is a nuanced variation of traditional subtitling extensively explored within the realm of AVTS. To encapsulate the diverse techniques and modalities aimed at making audiovisual content universally accessible, the study recognises the term "Audiovisual Accessibility" (AVA). The second chapter explores the interconnection of accessibility studies (AS), AVTS, and MAS, highlighting their symbiotic relationship and their role in framing inclusive subtitles within these fields. These interconnections are pivotal in shaping a framework for the practice of inclusive subtitling, enabling a comprehensive examination of its applicability and research implications. The third chapter delves into Deaf studies and the evolution of Deafhood, which hinges on the history and culture of Deaf individuals. This chapter elucidates the distinction between ‘deafness’ as a medical construct and ‘Deafhood’ as a cultural identity, crucial to the understanding of audiovisual accessibility and its intersection with the Deaf community's perspectives. In the fourth chapter, the focus turns to the exploration of film festivals, with a specific emphasis on the crucial role of subtitles in enhancing accessibility, particularly when films are presented in their original languages. The chapter marks a critical point, highlighting the inherent connection between subtitles and the immersive nature of film festivals that aspire to promote inclusivity in the cinematic experience. The emphasis on inclusivity extends to the evolution of film festivals, giving rise to more advanced forms, including accessible film festivals and Deaf film festivals. At the core of the chapter is a thorough examination of the corpus, specifically, the SDH/CC of films spanning the editions from 2020 to 2023 of two highly significant film festivals, namely BFI Flare and the London Film Festival. The corpus serves as the foundation upon which my research unfolds, providing a nuanced understanding of the role subtitles play in film festival contexts. The main chapter, chapter five, thoroughly analyses the technical and linguistic aspects of inclusive subtitling, drawing insights from the Inclusive Subtitling Guidelines - a two version document devised by myself - and offering real-world applications supported by a case study at an Italian film festival and another case study of the short film Pure, with the relevant inclusive subtitles file annexed. In conclusion, the research sets the stage for a comprehensive exploration of inclusive subtitling's role in ensuring accessible and inclusive audiovisual experiences, particularly within film festivals. It underscores the importance of accessibility in the world of audiovisual media and highlights the need for inclusive practices to cater to diverse audiences

Accounting for Culture

Many scholars, practitioners, and policy-makers in the cultural sector argue that Canadian cultural policy is at a crossroads: that the environment for cultural policy-making has evolved substantially and that traditional rationales for state intervention no longer apply. The concept of cultural citizenship is a relative newcomer to the cultural policy landscape, and offers a potentially compelling alternative rationale for government intervention in the cultural sector. Likewise, the articulation and use of cultural indicators and of governance concepts are also new arrivals, emerging as potentially powerful tools for policy and program development. Accounting for Culture is a unique collection of essays from leading Canadian and international scholars that critically examines cultural citizenship, cultural indicators, and governance in the context of evolving cultural practices and cultural policy-making. It will be of great interest to scholars of cultural policy, communications, cultural studies, and public administration alike. </i

Unmet goals of tracking: within-track heterogeneity of students' expectations for

Educational systems are often characterized by some form(s) of ability grouping, like tracking. Although substantial variation in the implementation of these practices exists, it is always the aim to improve teaching efficiency by creating homogeneous groups of students in terms of capabilities and performances as well as expected pathways. If students’ expected pathways (university, graduate school, or working) are in line with the goals of tracking, one might presume that these expectations are rather homogeneous within tracks and heterogeneous between tracks. In Flanders (the northern region of Belgium), the educational system consists of four tracks. Many students start out in the most prestigious, academic track. If they fail to gain the necessary credentials, they move to the less esteemed technical and vocational tracks. Therefore, the educational system has been called a 'cascade system'. We presume that this cascade system creates homogeneous expectations in the academic track, though heterogeneous expectations in the technical and vocational tracks. We use data from the International Study of City Youth (ISCY), gathered during the 2013-2014 school year from 2354 pupils of the tenth grade across 30 secondary schools in the city of Ghent, Flanders. Preliminary results suggest that the technical and vocational tracks show more heterogeneity in student’s expectations than the academic track. If tracking does not fulfill the desired goals in some tracks, tracking practices should be questioned as tracking occurs along social and ethnic lines, causing social inequality

Bowdoin Orient v.136, no.1-25 (2006-2007)

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