No description available.

<p> This study examines the effects of humor within an instructional video on student learning and motivation. Humor in education has been shown to improve students' perception of the instructor and learning environment, with mixed results on gains in actual learning. Humor has been suggested as a strategy to gain and maintain attention, improving motivation to learn. With the dramatic increase of online multimedia instruction, research on the use of humor on multimedia instructional materials can help us determine if it can be used to improve learning and motivation. </p><p> In a pretest-posttest controlled design, students viewed a short multimedia instructional video. In the control group, students viewed a non-humorous video explaining three ways to cite sources in a research paper. In the experimental group, students viewed the same video with four humorous additions unrelated to instructional content. After watching the video, students in both groups took a learning and motivational assessment. Learning was assessed with questions related to recall and application. Motivation was measured using the Instructional Materials Motivation Survey (IMMS). </p><p> Results on learning assessments found that overall there was no significant difference between the pretest and posttest between the control and experimental groups, nor was there a significant difference between the control and experimental groups on the motivation assessment. </p><p> However, gender was added as a factor of comparison, results showed that males scored higher on knowledge items on the pretest / posttest gain and were more influenced by humor than females on comprehension and the overall gain scores. In motivation, males perceived the humorous video as more satisfying and were more influenced by the humor than females in perception of confidence in the instruction. Significant correlations were found between perception of humor, learning gains between the pretest and posttest, and perception of motivation overall and in each gender. </p><p> Previous research on instructional humor has found gender to be an important factor in the perception of instructional humor. Because the designer and producer of the instructional video was male, it may be that males who enjoyed the humor were more motivated by, and learned more from, the humorous instructional video. Care should be taken in using humor in instruction to ensure the type of humor is received well by students of either gender in the course.</p>

No description available.

<p> How does digital media and online news, especially blogs, influence support for women congressional and presidential candidates? From work on traditional print and television news we know women are framed differently than men, and are more likely to be framed as women (appearance, clothing, mother or wife, marital status, sex, gendered issues). I argue the transition to digital media (blogs and online news) is exacerbating these trends, increasing gender stereotype opinions of women candidates in the mass public, among both men and women. In turn I find gender stereotype opinions combined with use of online media reduces the probability of voting for women candidates. While much of the literature on digital media focuses on the positives that come with increased political information, participation and mobilization, holding these factors constant, this research highlights a potential cost of digital media. </p><p> Media scholars are increasingly interested in digital media and citizen journalism, as more Americans now read their news online than read a print newspaper. Davis (2009) and Sunstein (2007) find that journalists too are increasingly turning to the blogs for ideas and content that run on mainstream media. While citizen journalism has many benefits (see Shirky 2010), there is less fact checking with online news, where rumors can often masquerade as truth. Analysis of the coverage of Hillary Clinton's 2008 presidential run found that coverage of Clinton online, especially the blogs, was more sexist than mainstream media (Lawrence and Rose 2010; Richie 2013). Boystrum (2010), using content analysis, finds no gendered differences in the content of candidates' websites. Thus this research focuses on blogs and online news rather than candidate websites. </p><p> Rather than content analysis used in political communications or laboratory experiments often used in gender studies, this research relies on national survey data to measure the effect of digital media use for voting for women candidates in actual electoral campaigns. Combining large sample nationwide survey data of all congressional candidates running in 2008, 2010 and 2012, with a sample of Iowa caucus participants, and a unique national survey of primary voters, this research seeks to answer two primary questions. First, what is the effect of use of blog and online news on gendered stereotype opinion of women and male candidates (see Chapters 3 and 5)? Secondly, what is the combined effect of digital media use and gendered opinions in reducing support at the ballot box for women for the U.S. House or the president (see Chapters 4 and 6)? To consider the overall, or net effect, of digital media on support for women candidates, I incorporate the benefits of online news and communication to engage and mobilize the public. </p><p> Across many detailed analyses presented in this research, I find that reading blogs and online news generally increases the likelihood of forming opinions about women candidates colored by gender stereotypes, based on experience, knowledge, competency, integrity, strong leader, caring and more. In Chapter 3 I consider the case of Hillary Clinton and find that reading the news online and using online political information increased the belief that Clinton was less experienced, and was less trustworthy. In Chapter 4 I find that gender stereotype opinions and digital media use reduced favorability ratings of Clinton and Clinton compared to her male presidential contenders (Obama and Edwards). These two factors also reduced the probably of voting for her, holding other factors constant. Chapter 5 analyses all U.S. House races from 2008, 2010, and 2012 with a women candidate. Individuals who used online news or political blogs are more likely to believe the woman candidate is less competent, lacks integrity, and is less caring than the man candidate, holding other factors constant. Finally, the results from Chapter 6 show gendered opinions and digital media reduce the likelihood of voting for the woman candidate. The overall, or net effect, models show even the positive effect of online mobilization is outweighed by the negative effect of digital media combined with the believe in gender stereotypes. Such gendered opinions of women candidates are widely held by the mass public. </p><p> The dominant explanation for why Obama, as an underdog candidate won the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination was that he was able to mobilize and engage the public, especially the young, through online media. These online venues also significantly increased the money Obama raised through small dollar contributions (Redlawsk et al 2010). However, what these stories ignore is the negative media coverage of his primary opponent, Hillary Clinton, online. This study attempts to systematically and empirically document how the Internet and online news may contributed to reduced support for Clinton's candidacy and women congressional candidates more generally. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)</p>

The primary objective of this creative project was to make my artwork more appealing to a mature audience. I would use familiar imagery that I had created from characters that were initially developed for children. These characters are now not only entertaining, but also have been enhanced through the use of engaging symbolic narrative.The secondary objective was to combine my knowledge of drawing, painting and sculpture based on changes in my recent artwork. These changes were brought about through investigating contemporary artist while studying at Ball State University. The body of work includes an underlying theme: "A Journey Though life," which features Quest the foolish dog, derived from the fool card in a tarot card deck. / Department of Art

The purpose of this study was to create two multimedia projects using computer software that combined a soundtrack with an interpretive visualization of music written for two pianos, and to document the technical procedures involved in the creation of the multimedia projects.This study was a collaborative undertaking between the author and the other member of PALENAI Piano Duo, Adrienne Shannon. A companion to the current dissertation has been submitted by Ms. Shannon, titled Black and White in Color: The Creative Aspects Involved in the Production of Two Computer Multimedia Projects Based on Music for Two Pianos.The goal of the multimedia projects was to produce visualizations of the musical elements and compositional devices found in the selected compositions. The two pieces selected for these visualizations were "Le Cygne", from Le Carnaval des Animaux by Camille Saint-Satins, and the Prologue from the Sonata for Two Pianos by Francis Poulenc. The SWAN project is visualized by means of realistic photography and the PROLOGUE project makes use of abstract imagery.This study examines the technical procedures in all stages of the projects, including the creation of the source photographs and the scanning procedures, the image editing and manipulation stage that was carried out in Adobe Photoshop, the composition of the project using Adobe Premiere, and the output to a computer-based presentation by compiling the project into a QuickTime movie.The projects in this study are intended to express the music by visual means as a creative endeavour, as an educational tool, and as a demonstration of the capabilities of two Adobe software programs within a Macintosh environment. / School of Music

The purpose of this study was to create two multimedia projects using computer software that combined a soundtrack with an interpretive visualization of music written for two pianos, and to document the creative factors involved in the creation of the multimedia projects.This study was a collaborative undertaking between the present writer and the other member of PALENAI Piano Duo, Joy Innis. A companion to the current dissertation has been submitted by Ms. Innis, titled Black and White in Color: The Technical Procedures Involved n the Production of Two Computer Multimedia Projects Based on Music for Two Pianos.The goal of the multimedia projects was to produce visualizations of the musical elements and compositional devices found in the selected compositions. The two pieces selected for these visualizations were "Le Cygne", from Le Carnaval des Animaux by Camille Saint-Satins, and the Prologue from the Sonate pour deux pianos by Francis Poulenc.The study begins with a traditional analysis of the works followed by a description of the images that were selected from the image pool for the visualizations (the image pool is described in detail in the companion dissertation); an explanation of the criteria for image enhancement and manipulations that were carried out in the Adobe Photoshop program; and a detailed outline of the composition stage of the projects using the Adobe Premiere program.The projects in this study are intended to express the music by visual means as a creative endeavour, as an educational tool, and as a demonstration of the capabilities of two Adobe software programs within a Macintosh environment. / School of Music

Professional development of teachers is a much-investigated area of research; however, teachers still complain that these endeavours do not cater for their specific needs. This problem arises from teachers‟ need to have more frequent professional development activities whereby it is possible to enhance their knowledge and skills regarding specific areas effectively. Multimedia, in other words the use of various media such as video, pictures, narration and animation, is a possible tool to address certain needs in professional development. Furthermore, the incorporation of multimedia into professional development by making use of a digital versatile disc allows for professional development to occur within a distance mode of delivery setting. This research was done to investigate and understand how Information Technology teachers experience the incorporation of multimedia into professional development by means of digital versatile disc. In order to accomplish this research endeavour, an investigation into the body of scholarly knowledge was executed focused on professional development of teachers, specifically with regard to needs expressed in previous studies. Furthermore, the body of scholarly knowledge regarding the implementation of multimedia as an enhancement to professional development was also investigated in order to synthesise how the researcher should go about implementing it. From the knowledge gained, the researcher developed the professional development digital versatile disc, specifically focused on the programming language Scratch. This programming language is an addition to the Information Technology syllabus and therefore teachers were assisted in their endeavour to acquire knowledge and skills regarding the implementation of such a new programming language. An empirical study was conducted, specifically focusing on the experience of three teachers to determine how they experience multimedia-based professional development. All three participants expressed that they enjoyed the use of multimedia in professional development and that a digital versatile disc of this type had a place in their professional development endeavours; however, a need for personal interaction with the facilitator as well as colleagues still exists. / Thesis (MEd (Computer Science Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

Professional development of teachers is a much-investigated area of research; however, teachers still complain that these endeavours do not cater for their specific needs. This problem arises from teachers‟ need to have more frequent professional development activities whereby it is possible to enhance their knowledge and skills regarding specific areas effectively. Multimedia, in other words the use of various media such as video, pictures, narration and animation, is a possible tool to address certain needs in professional development. Furthermore, the incorporation of multimedia into professional development by making use of a digital versatile disc allows for professional development to occur within a distance mode of delivery setting. This research was done to investigate and understand how Information Technology teachers experience the incorporation of multimedia into professional development by means of digital versatile disc. In order to accomplish this research endeavour, an investigation into the body of scholarly knowledge was executed focused on professional development of teachers, specifically with regard to needs expressed in previous studies. Furthermore, the body of scholarly knowledge regarding the implementation of multimedia as an enhancement to professional development was also investigated in order to synthesise how the researcher should go about implementing it. From the knowledge gained, the researcher developed the professional development digital versatile disc, specifically focused on the programming language Scratch. This programming language is an addition to the Information Technology syllabus and therefore teachers were assisted in their endeavour to acquire knowledge and skills regarding the implementation of such a new programming language. An empirical study was conducted, specifically focusing on the experience of three teachers to determine how they experience multimedia-based professional development. All three participants expressed that they enjoyed the use of multimedia in professional development and that a digital versatile disc of this type had a place in their professional development endeavours; however, a need for personal interaction with the facilitator as well as colleagues still exists. / Thesis (MEd (Computer Science Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

<p>Cyber counterintelligence (CCI) could be the United States' best defense against Chinese cyber aggression of Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources (CIKR). The need to defend CIKR is essential to public safety and national defense. As technology evolves and continues to march towards the inevitable connectedness that brings systems in sync with one another, the United States becomes more vulnerable. Of the 16 total sector specific areas of United States&rsquo; assets, the Communications and Information Technology (IT) sectors are constantly under attack from threats both foreign and domestic. United States network defense claims billions of dollars invested in legacy protections such as traditional and next-generation firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, anti-virus, and web gateways, all of which no longer stop advanced malware or targeted Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). The purpose of this research was to examine the use of CCI in defending the United States&rsquo; Communications and IT sectors against Chinese cyber threats. Why is CCI important to CIKR defense? How does CCI fit into the United States Intelligence Community's (USIC) plan? What are some methodologies used to conduct CCI? What motives does China have for targeting critical infrastructure? The nation relies on the Intelligence Community (IC) to be the eyes and ears of national defense. Information warfare needs active counterintelligence (CI) to act as an offensive weapon, a tool for rooting out attackers. Through misdirection, deception, and denial, cybersecurity professionals and the IC can prevent the next disaster. CI by nature can be offensive and active and it can be the first line of defense meant to mark targets and prevent them from harming essential systems. Keywords: Cybersecurity, Professor Cynthia Gonnella, Cyber, Intelligence, Counterintelligence, Critical Infrastructure Key Resources, CIKR. </p>