The image choices of social television audiences : the narrative of The Voice UK and La Voz (Spain) viewers on Twitter

Content shared on social media platforms is increasingly centred on images and conversations discussing television on digital platforms are also influenced by this trend. This article examines the visual data posted by viewers while watching the 2019 edition of the Spanish and British adaptations of the international Reality Show 'The Voice'. With the sample including images posted by viewers on Twitter during the broadcast of the episodes, the production formats, the type of content, the purpose of the images and the connection between the visual data and the text in the tweet have been analysed. The results highlight three different trends: the parallel visual narrative created by viewers on Twitter through the use of digital culture, the showcasing of their private sphere and the appropriation of images from the television episodes altering the discourse presented by the broadcasters.El contenido compartido en las redes sociales se focalizacada vez más en las imágenes y las conversaciones sobre televisión en las plataformas digitales también se han vistoinfluenciadas por esta tendencia. Este artículo examina los datos visuales publicados por los espectadores mientras ven la edición de 2019 de las adaptaciones española y británica del reality show internacional 'The Voice'. Con la muestra de imágenes publicadas por los espectadores en Twitter durante la emisión de los episodios, se han analizado los formatos de producción, el tipo de contenido, la finalidad de las imágenes y la conexión entre los datos visuales y el texto del tuit. Los resultados destacan tres tendencias diferentes: la narrativa visual paralela creada por los espectadores en Twitter a través del uso de la cultura digital, la exhibición de su esfera privada y laapropiación de imágenes de los episodios televisivos alterando el discurso presentado por los canales de televisió

Digital inclusion of mature students: Analysis of their attitudes and ICT competences

Esta investigación se propone identificar las actitudes y competencias de los estudiantes adultos en relación con el uso de las TIC, con especial atención al uso de plataformas digitales de aprendizaje y redes sociales (Web 2.0). Asimismo, evalúa la incidencia de algunas variables sociodemográficas (género y edad) en el uso estas herramientas y en la autopercepción de los estudiantes sobre sus competencias digitales. Se ha realizado un estudio tipo encuesta con una muestra de 382 estudiantes que acceden a la Universidad de Sevilla a través de las vías establecidas para mayores de 25, de 40 y 45 años. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto una actitud generalmente positiva ante las TIC que puede calificarse como de pragmática, ya que estas herramientas se valoran positivamente en función de sus potenciales beneficios en los procesos de aprendizaje. Se constata a la vez que no han recibido formación específica en el uso de las TIC. El nivel de competencia que este alumnado percibe tener en el uso de estos recursos es medio-bajo. Además, el grupo de estudiantes mayores de 45 años se considera menos competente que los mayores de 25 y de 40 años. En consecuencia, se realizan algunas propuestas para mejorar la participación de los estudiantes maduros en la enseñanza universitaria.This research aims to identify the attitudes and competences of mature students regarding information and communication technologies (ICT), with special focus on digital learning platforms and social networks (Web 2.0). In addition, the study tries to assess the influence of several socio-demographic variables (gender and age) in the use of these tools and in the students’ self-perception of their digital competency. The research uses the survey method and a questionnaire has been applied to a sample of 382 students entering the University of Seville via the special routes for older than 25, than 40 and 45 years. Results showed a general positive attitude towards the ICT, which could also be qualified as pragmatic, since the tools are positively valued based on their potential benefits in the learning processes. Results also point to the fact that students have not been specifically trained in the use of ITC. The level of competency that they claim to possess regarding the use of these resources is medium-low. Furthermore, the over 45 year group declare themselves less competent than the over 25 and 40. Finally, some suggestions are given in order to improve the participation of mature students in Higher Education

Social media, social capital and adolescents living in state care: A multi-perspective and multimethod qualitative study

Social media are used daily by billions to communicate. Adolescents living in state care are no different, yet the potential implications of their social media use are. Despite the global use of social media and evidence highlighting their role in social capital cultivation, how adolescents living in state care make use of social media remains unknown with discussions tending to focus exclusively on risk. Using data from a four-year Digital Life Story work (DLSW) research programme, this paper explores adolescents’ and social care professional’s (n=45) perspectives on the everyday use of social media by adolescents living in state care. Using an ethnographic multimethod approach, extracts of conversations from the four English residential homes engaged in the DLSW programme were thematically analysed. Three major themes emerged; contacts as currency, promoting and protecting the self and transitions. Analysis illustrate how adolescents living in state care use social media as active digital agents and the need to reframe this usage to enable benefits to be enacted. The paper concludes that urgent research is needed to enable practitioners and policy makers to show a deeper appreciation of the potentials of social media enabling a more balanced approach to succeed in practice

Technology and Opportunity: People with Serious Mental Illness and Social Connection

Objective: Little information exists regarding how individuals with serious mental illness use technology and whether this usage facilitates social connections. This study contributes to filling this knowledge gap by examining ways in which a sample of persons with serious mental illness use cell phones and the Internet. Methods: Interviews with 50 consumers living in supported housing were asked about their use of cell phones and computers and their perceptions of social connections. Results: Cell phones and computers allowed greater linkage with social, medical, mental health, and employment resources. Nearly all obtained phones through publicly funded programs. “Running out of minutes” was common and associated with disrupted communication and safety concerns. Few people owned computers, resulting in restricted access. Conclusion: Policymakers should consider providing free or discounted hardware, subsidizing unlimited plans, and promoting computer literacy

Information and Communication Technologies, eHealth and Homelessness: A bibliometric review

A bibliometric review was conducted to assess the available scientific knowledge regarding the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) by Individuals Experiencing Homelessness (IEH) and reflect on the existing evidence that ICT use has on their health. A total of 50 published articles were selected after a process of systematic review from five databases containing record of publications up until 2016. All the studies were published in English, half of the works were published in the last three years and 48% of them included the description of ICT use as an objective. Despite the fact that experimental studies were rare, and sample sizes typically small, it was concluded that the studies analyzing the effect of ICT on health display benefits. ndeed, the use of such technology offers promising opportunities to explore new ways of intervention in prevention, harm reduction and health treatment of IEH

Homeless Adults, Technology and Literacy Practices

Some research has explored perspectives held by the homeless on technology use (Borchard, 2010; Eyrich-Garg, 2010, 2011; Harpin, Davis, Low, & Gilroy, 2016; Hersberger, 2002/2003; Pollio, Batey, Bender, Ferguson, & Thompson, 2013). Few studies have however focused on understanding this population’s use of technology for literacy purposes (Hendry, 2011; Muggleton & Ruthven, 2012), as distinct from their more general technology use, such as acquiring the skills to improve their station in life or to enhance their health, or utilize social services. Employing symbolic interactionism (Blumer, 1969) as a conceptual framework and using semi-structured interviews, this qualitative study examines technology use for literacy purposes by the homeless. It also investigates the meanings that these participants direct toward technology. The findings suggest diverse technology uses that enhance the participants’ access to social services. Other responses indicate differences in the conceptions and uses of technology for literacy purposes. The participants also made recommendations to us for the state and the nearby state university to support their literacy practices and access to technology. The insights from this study should be of value to educators, policy makers, city governments, and social and community personnel in improving adult literacy and social services programs

A Quantitative Examination of the Influence of Social and Structural Communication Variables on the Social Connectedness of People Experiencing Homelessness

This thesis examined the influence of social and structural communication variables on the perceived social connectedness of people experiencing homelessness in the Northwest Arkansas (NWA) and Joplin, Missouri areas. This study employed the ecological perspective of communication infrastructure theory (CIT; Ball-Rokeach et al., 2001) and a communication perspective which envisions communicative interaction as constitutive of social experience. Using survey data from 166 participants, this study examined 11 research questions and hypotheses drawn from extant literature on homelessness, social connectedness, and CIT. ANOVAs, t-tests, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed a complex relationship between individuals and the communicative environment. This study extended past research within the CIT framework by applying key theoretical assumptions to a previously unexamined demographic. Additionally, this study affirmed the association between perceived discrimination and perceived social connectedness, and contradicted assumptions about the influence of race and sexuality on perceived discrimination and perceived social connectedness. The theoretical and practical implications of this research provide opportunities for further studies on the communicative behaviors of hard-to-reach populations and how communities might consider policies and programming when addressing the problems associated with homelessness. Keywords: Social connectedness, perceived discrimination, communication infrastructure theory, communication ecology, communication action contex

Street Needs: Are Hawai‘i Homeless Teens Information Poor?

M.A. Thesis. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 2017

A Quantitative Examination of the Influence of Social and Structural Communication Variables on the Social Connectedness of People Experiencing Homelessness

This thesis examined the influence of social and structural communication variables on the perceived social connectedness of people experiencing homelessness in the Northwest Arkansas (NWA) and Joplin, Missouri areas. This study employed the ecological perspective of communication infrastructure theory (CIT; Ball-Rokeach et al., 2001) and a communication perspective which envisions communicative interaction as constitutive of social experience. Using survey data from 166 participants, this study examined 11 research questions and hypotheses drawn from extant literature on homelessness, social connectedness, and CIT. ANOVAs, t-tests, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed a complex relationship between individuals and the communicative environment. This study extended past research within the CIT framework by applying key theoretical assumptions to a previously unexamined demographic. Additionally, this study affirmed the association between perceived discrimination and perceived social connectedness, and contradicted assumptions about the influence of race and sexuality on perceived discrimination and perceived social connectedness. The theoretical and practical implications of this research provide opportunities for further studies on the communicative behaviors of hard-to-reach populations and how communities might consider policies and programming when addressing the problems associated with homelessness. Keywords: Social connectedness, perceived discrimination, communication infrastructure theory, communication ecology, communication action contex