Sharing news, making sense, saying thanks: patterns of talk on Twitter during the Queensland floods

Abstract: This paper examines the discursive aspects of Twitter communication during the floods in the summer of 2010–2011 in Queensland, Australia. Using a representative sample of communication associated with the #qldfloods hashtag on Twitter, we coded and analysed the patterns of communication. We focus on key phenomena in the use of social media in crisis communication: communal sense-making practices, the negotiation of participant roles, and digital convergence around shared events. Social media is used both as a crisis communication and emergency management tool, as well as a space for participants to engage in emotional exchanges and communication of distress.Authored by Frances Shaw, Jean Burgess, Kate Crawford and Axel Bruns

Young people and sexting in Australia: ethics, representation and the law

The Young People and Sexting in Australia report presents the findings of a qualitative study of young people’s understandings of, and responses to, current Australian laws, media and educational resources that address sexting. The project, led by Dr Kath Albury involved a review of both international local and academic research as well as popular media addressing sexting, and a review of educational resources for young people. Three focus groups were conducted with young people aged 16 and 17 in 2012, and a working paper based on those findings was then distributed to adult stakeholders in the fields of law enforcement, youth and children’s legal support, education, criminology, media and communications, youth work, youth health care, counseling and youth health promotion

Big Data and Due Process: Toward a Framework to Redress Predictive Privacy Harms

The rise of “Big Data” analytics in the private sector poses new challenges for privacy advocates. Through its reliance on existing data and predictive analysis to create detailed individual profiles, Big Data has exploded the scope of personally identifiable information (“PII”). It has also effectively marginalized regulatory schema by evading current privacy protections with its novel methodology. Furthermore, poor execution of Big Data methodology may create additional harms by rendering inaccurate profiles that nonetheless impact an individual’s life and livelihood. To respond to Big Data’s evolving practices, this Article examines several existing privacy regimes and explains why these approaches inadequately address current Big Data challenges. This Article then proposes a new approach to mitigating predictive privacy harms—that of a right to procedural data due process. Although current privacy regimes offer limited nominal due process-like mechanisms, a more rigorous framework is needed to address their shortcomings. By examining due process’s role in the Anglo-American legal system and building on previous scholarship about due process for public administrative computer systems, this Article argues that individuals affected by Big Data should have similar rights to those in the legal system with respect to how their personal data is used in such adjudications. Using these principles, this Article analogizes a system of regulation that would provide such rights against private Big Data actors

The Co-evolution of an Accessible but Secure Virtual Space for Collaborative Activities

This paper describes, analyses and interprets a research and development process taking place over several years concerning the evolution of a socio-technical system. By ‘sociotechnical system’ we mean a dynamic system that is socio-culturally situated and involves both human activity and technical elements. The system design, that is the focus of this research, brings together the human and technical dynamics of the intricate and highly engaging processes of effective collaboration. In particular, an investigation of the various integrated elements of the socio-technical system has provide us with the insight and confidence to build a virtual environment that actually supports innovative collaborative activitie

Promoting tertiary learning strategically to meet today\u27s multicultural student\u27s needs

Many of today\u27s metropolitan cities thrive on educating international students of diverse cultural backgrounds. However, most of these students struggle at two levels in their new environment, namely cultural and financial, and so require specific help in pursuing their educational goals. Tools are available to strategically develop people\u27s learning skills using modem information and communication technologies (ICT). This chapter focuses on the effects of an online tool used along with well structured roles to induce collaborative as well as individual learning. From an Activity Theory perspective our research indicates two main results of interest. First, increased attention to the dynamic of shared social interaction enabled by ICT results in deeper approaches to learning and greater satisfaction among the students who engage in the process. Second, to achieve an expanded learning role and greater independence among learners, particularly those from different cultural backgrounds, it is necessary to more explicitly define the rules and roles in the learning context than is usual in traditional teaching practice

A Perspective on AI and Data in Design. Interview With Kate Crawford

In this comprehensive interview, Professor Kate Crawford discusses the complex and pervasive impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems on our global ecosystem, critically examining the material realities and extensive influence of these infrastructures. Delving into the socio-political and his- torical aspects of design in the context of AI, she shows that design is intrinsically linked to the consequences of capital- ism, colonialism, and the concentration of power in tech- nological systems. She challenges designers to acknowl- edge these connections and stimulate critical discussions about the role of design, promoting a vision where they can encourage diversity, challenge AI-driven homogenization, and question the processes of constructing meaning and decision-making in technology. Prof. Crawford posits that our relationship with technology is integral to our futures and underscores the importance of individual and collective pol- itics in shaping these outcomes. The discussion advocates for a shift from technology-centrism to prioritizing collective planetary needs. It urges us to consider what kind of world we want to live in and what role technology should play in it

Threshold Tests as a way to encourage long-term, self-regulated learners in Engineering

[EN] Traditionally, educators evaluate the effectiveness of a new assessment in a pre-requisite early subject via pass rates, grades and student satisfaction. It may be more appropriate to measure the impact on student results in later stage subjects. In this work we report on the impact of changing assessment, over 10 years, at a metropolitan Australian university for an initial calculus subject (Mathematics 1) on two follow-on subjects: Mathematics 2 and Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering. Earlier research found that Online Mastery Tests can harm later learning outcomes even though failure rates drop within the pre-requisite subject. Here we show that Paper Threshold Tests, requiring greater engagement, metacognitive strategies result in fewer passes in the pre-requisite subject however, they were also resulting in a major inversion of the grade distribution toward higher grades in the follow on subjects where 60% of students now obtain marks > 75%.Solina, D.; Wong, C.; Crawford, K.; Huber, E. (2023). Threshold Tests as a way to encourage long-term, self-regulated learners in Engineering. En 9th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd'23). Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 793-800. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAd23.2023.1618679380

Mathematical Representations in a Synchronous Online Mathematics Specialist Preparation Program

Universities are implementing more online courses (Yamagata-Lynch, 2014). However, instructors may feel a sense of trepidation in transitioning a mathematics class to a synchronous online platform because they do not want to compromise quality pedagogy (Herrington et al., 2001) for the convenience of an online environment (Wills, 2021). Some courses have successfully transitioned to a synchronous online environment while maintaining rich discussion and student collaboration (Baker & Hjalmarson, 2019); however, mathematics content courses include the additional challenge of incorporating problem solving with multiple representations. This paper focuses on how mathematical representations emerge in a synchronous online course for mathematics specialists

Young people, social media, social network sites and sexual health communication in Australia: ‘this is funny, you should watch it

Social media and social network sites (SNS) are an evolving area for sexual health communication with young people. They present opportunities and challenges for sexual health professionals and young people alike, such as learning through interactivity and addressing concerns about privacy. In this article, we present and discuss the findings from six rural and urban focus groups with young people in Australia about the use of social media and SNS for sexual health communication. We discuss a number of issues related to the use of social media and SNS for sexual health communication, such as concerns about bullying, privacy, and the stigma attached to sexual health