Evaluating Singleplayer and Multiplayer in Human Computation Games

Human computation games (HCGs) can provide novel solutions to intractable computational problems, help enable scientific breakthroughs, and provide datasets for artificial intelligence. However, our knowledge about how to design and deploy HCGs that appeal to players and solve problems effectively is incomplete. We present an investigatory HCG based on Super Mario Bros. We used this game in a human subjects study to investigate how different social conditions---singleplayer and multiplayer---and scoring mechanics---collaborative and competitive---affect players' subjective experiences, accuracy at the task, and the completion rate. In doing so, we demonstrate a novel design approach for HCGs, and discuss the benefits and tradeoffs of these mechanics in HCG design.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, 2 table

Implications of radio persona characteristics on listener well-being

Community radio is known to promote psychosocial well-being for individual presenters, listeners, and their communities. While previous studies highlight the benefits to volunteers getting involved in presenting, research has not examined presenter behaviours and how they might correspond with listener well-being. To better understand this, it is important to consider if presenters take into account how their approach to presenting radio may be received by their listeners. Our present research focuses on radio presenters and their backgrounds, specifically their individual differences (e.g., gender), how and why they got into radio, and what they perceive the purpose of radio to be. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 radio personnel from six stations broadcasting in Melbourne, Australia. Thematic analysis of the transcribed interview data indicates that radio presenters are often male which potentially correlates with the dominance of male presenters over previous generations. Program managers also noted a discrepancy in the gender of their presenters, commenting that they have actively sought out females in order to encourage station and listener diversity. While there was no singular or common process that led to a career in radio, male presenters commented that they always wanted to get into radio, or gave examples of other males they listened to when growing up. Females, on the other hand, often said they got into presenting in a more roundabout way. Presenting styles appeared to align with station foci; moreover, such an alignment appeared to underpin the purpose of their show and understanding of their listening audience. This presentation will contextualize how the presenters’ backgrounds and motivations have implications for how they develop and promote relationships with their listening audience and community. Broader implications regarding how these presenters play a role in promoting individual and community well-being will also be discussed

What Reversals and Close Cases Reveal About Claim Construction: The Sequel, 13 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 525 (2014)

This article updates and elaborates on last year’s What Close Cases and Reversals Reveal About Claim Construction at the Federal Circuit. Like the previous article, this article provides empirical insight into claim construction at the Federal Circuit, by approaching the question with two unique and distinct subsets of data: (1) “reversals” of all district court claim construction decisions since Phillips v. AWH, and (2) “close cases,” or post-Markman claim construction cases that had dissents in which a currently-active judge participated. The past year’s reversals data once again confirms that district courts persistently favor narrow claim interpretations in cases in which they will be reversed. From this, it follows that most “reversals” reflect a failure of the district courts to follow Federal Circuit claim construction principles, rather than arbitrary fact finding by the Federal Circuit. As a result, a rule that awards more deference to district court claim constructions will likely create greater unpredictability, as district courts might be affirmed even if their decisions are not consistent with the Federal Circuit’s claim construction principles. The “close cases” data continues to document vast differences in approach among Federal Circuit judges in their approaches to claim construction. This article is particularly timely in light of the Supreme Court’s grant of certiorari in Teva v. Sandoz, where the Court will consider the Federal Circuit’s standard of review of district court’s claim construction

Radio listeners' perspectives on its purpose and potential to support older wellbeing

According to Order (2017, p. 244), community radio broadcasting is “perfectly placed to tackle the far-reaching social issue of loneliness”. This is important to note in consideration of older adult well-being. Thus, we have undertaken a program of mixed-methods research to investigate: 1) radio listeners’ considerations of the purpose of radio; and 2) the potential role of radio in promoting listener well-being. With data collection still underway, preliminary analyses drawing on semi-structured focus groups with radio listeners suggest that listeners engage with radio for entertainment (e.g., music), information (e.g., news), and connection. Listeners indicate that radio presenters act as a surrogate friend in their home, whereby the listener feels that they are part of a conversation taking place. They establish perceived relationships with presenters such that a change of presenter or program is met with mourning or an adjustment period. Having consistent engagement with presenters and programs of choice appear to be associated with listener enjoyment and comfort. Project findings will be contextualised against data collected via interviews with radio presenters to consider what synergies exist. Additionally, broader implications regarding radio listening for well-being in aged-care settings and healthy ageing policies will be discussed

Radio relationships and well-being in older age

Community radio is known to promote psychosocial well-being for individuals and their communities. Specifically, community radio broadcasting is “perfectly placed to tackle the far-reaching social issue of loneliness” (Order, 2017, p. 244) which is important as older adults, in particular, experience loneliness due to low levels of community connection. Thus, a better understanding of the social connections established between radio presenters and listeners could identify specific ways in which community and well-being in older life may be supported. This AAG-supported program of mixed-methods research investigated radio presenter behaviours to consider how their practices may be designed to facilitate their listenership’s sense of well-being. With data collection still underway, preliminary analyses suggest that radio presenters are not only recipients of well-being benefits, but are also conduits. They work with the listener in mind – scripting and delivering their presentation and content selections according to perceived audience preference. Findings will address how the behaviours of presenters relate to efforts to connect with, retain, and support the well-being of their listeners. Project findings provide an in-depth understanding of how radio relationships can promote well-being, leading to the creation of an evidence-based, user-friendly resource, designed to assist individuals and radio providers in promoting individual and community well-being. Broader implications regarding how the radio might be used in aged-care settings and healthy ageing policies will be discussed

What Close Cases and Reversals Reveal About Claim Construction at the Federal Circuit, 12 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 583 (2013)

Claim construction is central to patent litigation and has been the focus of a voluminous body of scholarship. Researchers have collected data from all aspects of claim construction cases, looking for answers to questions such as why the Federal Circuit reverses district courts’ claim constructions so frequently, why Federal Circuit judges reach different conclusions from one another, and what methodologies these judges are utilizing. This paper takes a novel approach to analyze these questions. Rather than focus on all claim construction cases, this paper focuses only on cases where the Federal Circuit was divided and a dissent was written, and cases in which the Federal Circuit reversed the district courts’ constructions. By looking at these two subsets of claim construction cases, we can glean insights from the data that are unapparent when looking at all cases. Specifically, we can observe trends in voting behavior, then compare those trends to different methodologies Federal Circuit judges utilize, whether expressly or impliedly. The data shows that, for reform to claim construction procedures to be meaningful, either the Federal Circuit or the Supreme Court must first address and definitively settle whether it is appropriate to determine “what the inventor actually invented” as a first step to claim construction. Once settled, ideas for reform can be debated. One such idea might involve applying an algorithm for construing claims, an example of which is provided in Appendix C

Examining the empathic voice teacher

Empathy enables successful communication and connection between teachers and their students, yet few studies have investigated its specific use in teaching singing. Addressing this gap, we interviewed voice teachers to discover how they articulate their pedagogy in terms of empathic practices and observed one-to-one lessons for evidence of the same. A sample of 27 classical and music theater voice teachers in Australia (70% females, 30% males), aged 35 to 75years old (M=55) were interviewed. Of this cohort, seven teachers were observed in their one-to-one teaching practices. Interviews and observations were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results indicated that voice teachers tailor their practices to the needs of students and demonstrate characteristics of teacher empathy identified in previous literature: effective communication, positive relationships, care, welcoming learning environment, trust, morality, and listening. Empathic teaching facilitates an individualized approach in which singing students are supported and motivated in their own autonomous learning environment. These findings have implications for voice pedagogy that features the use of empathy to benefit future students

"I ask them what they can feel": proprioception and the voice teacher’s approach

Background: Proprioception is considered essential to forming an aesthetic vocal experience, particularly musculoskeletal proprioception or the ability to accurately sense position, movement, effort, muscular tension, sensation of posture, and balance when singing. Research into singing reveals that proprioceptive awareness leads to better coordination and enhances the singer’s overall understanding of their vocal function. While proprioception is also considered useful in vocal pedagogy, few studies have examined if/how proprioception contributes to voice teaching in the one-to-one context. Aims: This project sought to understand in what way proprioception featured in the practices of tertiary classical and music theatre voice teachers. It specifically aimed to: 1) identify ways in which voice teachers demonstrate proprioceptive awareness when discussing their practices; and 2) observe how, and for what purpose, voice teachers engage proprioception when delivering voice lessons. Method: A multiple-case study design involved interviews with teachers and observations of their lessons. Voice teachers (N=7, all working in Australia), selected through purposive sampling, were interviewed face-to-face and each was observed delivering three lessons (N=21) to professionally focused singing students. Interview transcripts and observation field notes were analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Voice teachers revealed proprioceptive awareness when discussing their practices, such as sensing discomfort when a student sang with vocal tension. They also appeared to utilise proprioception as a diagnostic tool when addressing technical issues for their students. Further, teachers sought to develop proprioceptive awareness in their students through physical touch, verbal feedback, muscle release work, external tools (e.g., resistance bands), and breathwork. This was particularly evident where teachers focused students on how they felt when they were singing. Conclusions: Voice teachers adopted a proprioceptive style of teaching, literally adopting a ‘hands-on’ approach and also asking students to reflect on their own physical sensations rather than on the sounds they were making. Further, voice teachers were shown to be developing proprioceptive awareness in their students to aid in achieving the complex sensorimotor coordination required in singing. Implications: These findings have implications regarding vocal pedagogy courses training voice teachers to incorporate proprioceptive awareness in their practices

Using statistics to model a social enterprise's path to scale

This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and with financial support from the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC)Some non-profits and social sector organizations are recognizing the value of advanced data analysis and statistical modelling: collecting more detailed data can create more successful outcomes. This case study describes a pioneering social enterprise that used statistics to define key challenges toward financial sustainability and scale: “Farm Shop: A Social Enterprise in Search of Scale.” Farm Shop’s social franchise model works with local entrepreneurs to organize small shops in rural areas and sell agricultural and veterinary inputs, also providing referrals to services (soil testing, spraying, home delivery, artificial insemination, animal health care) that can enhance smallholder farmer productivity and incomes