Presentations 4/27/2010

Dan Anderson
Exploring the Correlation between Video Games and Virtual Communities


There is a notable correlation between the learning principles of video games and the rapid growth of virtual gaming communities.

The learning principles of video games are enhanced in online environments, and this enhancement may account for an increase the number of online gaming community members.

You say that you have to be allowed into a group….Aren’t X-Box Live members able to join gaming environments without joining the community?

How does the X-Box community compare with the PS3 community in terms of numbers of users and differences?

How are you going to show that the gaming situation evolves into a community? Can we really consider the platform of X-Box Live as its own community?

Mike Payne
Crimes – Real vs. Virtual Spaces


You give plenty of examples of how real and virtual identity theft is possible…How are proving or arguing that virtual crime it is “more dangerous” than real life crime? You may need to focus on fewer areas of exploration….You have so many examples that you are creating too much work for yourself…

As the world changes more into online spaces people are starting to become more aware of identity theft….How does this awareness change your argument? Is there an age demographic that is more susceptible to cybercrime?

I like where you are going with your information…You are right, cybercrime is definitely on the rise and is being used more effectively to commit crime than in real spaces. You might want to look at how organized crime has used cybercrime to carry out illegal activities. These would present real life examples of how these acts are being carried out in online spaces.

Are you going to look at how legal action is different in cases from real vs. virtual spaces?

How do the examples that you are using in virtual spaces translate into real spaces?

Lee Kidd
You Tubes’ Unique Roles: Political Activism and the Perpetuation of Hate


You Tube has revolutionized political activism and, in doing so, it has uniquely contributed to the perpetuation of hate, however inadvertently.

Wouldn’t it be fair to say that MOST individuals are able to critically think about the information that is displayed on YouTube?

You say that unsubstantiated personal beliefs have no place in online spaces….How can you possibly justify this claim?

You seem to skip around a lot….I’m unsure as to what your specific argument is? You seem to skip around from fact based information, to hate, to activism….??? You’re taking on many issues that don’t necessarily cohesively reach an argument for a paper.

Part of what makes YouTube successful is the ability to display opinions and rhetoric regarding people’s ideologies. Perhaps you need to focus on an area of YouTube that perpetuates hate as you say and focus in on that specific area…..maybe giving 3 or 4 examples of what you’re trying to show.

Angel Almarez
Bridging the digital Divide and using games in education


I think that you have a solid understanding of your ideas. I really don’t have a ton of feedback for you.

I think that you have a solid argument, but what is the opposition to your argument?

Is the Lego league a video game or is it a physical exercise?

You bring up an example where students only had access in their school compared to some students in Silicon Valley who had access at home as well……Is there any study regarding this same instance where students in Silicon Valley had the same instruction as those not in Silicon Valley and what was the outcome?

Derek Nelson
Mobile phones and the digital divide


Mobile technology, primarily the cellular phone is positively affecting the digital divide

An example that you may want to look at is M-Pesa…Look this up on Google…You may have hit this in your Rhinegold arena…not sure just a suggestion

I think that you have a really strong argument….when you talk about barriers in education are you taking into account those that don’t have limited or no literacy ability?

How does your argument change when you may not have access to mobile technologies in some areas..(specifically rural)…dead zones…etc…???

What is the opposition to your argument? You never really showed that in your presentation…

How are you proposing that individuals will become proficient in utilizing mobile phones? Do you talk about this in your paper? In order to successfully close the gap of the digital divide people have to become knowledgeable and proficient in using these devices in order to succeed with them.

Kristin
H.O.P.E – “Healty Online Presence Education”


What field experts are you proposing to bring in for this program?

How are you proposing that your program bridges the access gap?

Is it really feasible to say that there will be enough of a volunteer base to support something like this?

I liked that you showed the opposition to your plan.

Is there any incentive for you plan? People feel more compelled to participate when there is something in it for them.

I think overall your idea is well grounded and well intentioned. I wonder how far it would go if actually implemented? Overall I think that you have your bases covered when you presented. The questions that I listed above were the only “cracks” that I could come up with.