There have been a number of studies concerning the access and usage patterns of mobile phones since the first cellular phone appeared in 1979. With the appearance of the smart phone a recent field of research emerges within media and communication. This study focuses on what role a particular smart phone plays within the users’ communication practices. Combining individuality and mobility with communication, the iPhone changes the users’ way of communication completely. In addition to that, the use of the iPhone comprises self-representational characteristics. The study aims to research what role the user ascribes to the iPhone. A field observation of iPhone users combined with qualitative focus group interviews will present more insight in how the iPhone maintains the users’ interpersonal relationships and fulfils their communication motives. The field observation might bear some general aspects about usage patterns of the iPhone, especially in public spaces. Supplementing the field observation, the focus group interviews will give some information about personal usage patterns and about the iPhone’s status within individual perceptions. The use of smart phones like the iPhone influences the user’s ways of communication in positive as well as in negative ways. A constant access to various networks establishes a permanent availability, which entails major changes in the users’ way of communication and the users’ perception of time and space. In addition to that, the design and look of the gadget is a main appeal for iPhone users. Here the smart phone turns out to be an accessory with which people make statements to their surrounding. These statements can be of different nature. They can be based on image, fashion or design conscious in the user’s perception. This study intends to bring up new topics about the relationship between a technical device and its user

For foreign spouses faced with cultural differences, low autonomy, and low local language proficiency, the internet provides them with means to breaking insulation. Via the internet, foreign spouses can obtain help and increase autonomy. This research aims to discuss 4 perspectives: (1) foreign spouses¡¦ Chinese proficiency, (2) digital divide, (3) digital inequality, and (4) the processes of their digital empowerment. The research points out that many foreign spouses cannot write Chinese characters well. Neither can they understand Chinese phonetic symbols. Therefore, foreign spouses have difficulty keying in long Chinese paragraphs; they mostly read Chinese articles on the Internet. Besides, foreign spouses sacrifice their time, place, and functions of internet use because they put priority on becoming a ¡§good wife, good mother, and good daughter-in-law.¡¨ Due to that awareness, they sacrifice digital access for their family. Most important of all, the digital divide and inequality leads to digital downward spiral. Because they lack computer and internet equipment, they cannot develop the skills needed to use computer. Because digital inequality, their skills deteriorated so that they think they have no need to buy related equipment. Foreign spouses, however, know that if they can use computer and the internet, their autonomy can be increased so that they do not have to count on their husbands for everything. Besides, the importance of the internet for the foreign spouses also influences the decision whether they buy and use the internet. If they think the internet cannot benefit them in their daily life, they would not purchase the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--UCLA, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 222-245).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--West Virginia University, 2005. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 184 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 165-176).

Thesis (M.S.)--Florida State University, 2004. / Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth Jakubowski, Florida State University, College of Education, Dept. of Middle and Secondary Education. Title and description from dissertation home page (viewed Oct. 06, 2004). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Ed. (Computer-Integrated Education)) -- University of Pretoria, 2005. / Summary in English. Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2006. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains iv, 49 p. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 46).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2006. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-02T11:16:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-04-16Bitstream added on 2014-12-02T11:21:00Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000797254.pdf: 1834457 bytes, checksum: 0a01abf785650ae6e3f2f051a90051bb (MD5) / Este estudo analisa a relevância da Internet para a inclusão digital dos cidadãos, na sociedade da informação, sobretudo a viabilidade como canal de retorno do Sistema Brasileiro de TV Digital (SBTVD). Apresenta, também, uma revisão bibliográfica, no que se refere às tecnologias que, hoje, permitem a comunicação entre os usuários e os serviços interativos disponíveis pelas emissoras de TV Digital aberta, ou seja, o canal de retorno. o trabalho analisa a eficácia do Plano Nacional de Banda Larga brasileira, frente aos planos e estratégias nacionais de banda larga. Adotados por países como Argentina e Estados Unidos. Estas experiências relativas ao desenvolvimento da oferta e na garantia da universalização do acesso a essa tecnologia, serviram de base para a análise e ao final de forma sistematizada destaca-se suas características, objetivos e contribuições para a implementação no Brasil / This study analyzes the digital inclusion fo citizens in the information society, mainly its viability as a return channel of the Brazilian Digital TV System (SBTVD). It also presents a literature review, concerning the technologies which, today, enable communication between users and the interactive services available through the open Digital TV stations, in the other words, the return channel. The article also analyzes the effectiveness of the National Brazilian Broadband Plan heading the national broadband plans and strategies adopted by other countries like Argentina and the United States. Some international experience from different countries in the development of supply and in the guarantee of universal access to this technology, provided the basis for the analysis, and in the end, in a systematized way, it highlights its characteristics, objectives and its contributions to implementing it in Brazil

Orientador: Eduardo Martins Morgado / Banca: Vânia Cristina Pires Nogueira Valente / Banca: Sérgio Amadeu da Silveira / Resumo: Este estudo analisa a relevância da Internet para a inclusão digital dos cidadãos, na sociedade da informação, sobretudo a viabilidade como canal de retorno do Sistema Brasileiro de TV Digital (SBTVD). Apresenta, também, uma revisão bibliográfica, no que se refere às tecnologias que, hoje, permitem a comunicação entre os usuários e os serviços interativos disponíveis pelas emissoras de TV Digital aberta, ou seja, o canal de retorno. o trabalho analisa a eficácia do Plano Nacional de Banda Larga brasileira, frente aos planos e estratégias nacionais de banda larga. Adotados por países como Argentina e Estados Unidos. Estas experiências relativas ao desenvolvimento da oferta e na garantia da universalização do acesso a essa tecnologia, serviram de base para a análise e ao final de forma sistematizada destaca-se suas características, objetivos e contribuições para a implementação no Brasil / Abstract: This study analyzes the digital inclusion fo citizens in the information society, mainly its viability as a return channel of the Brazilian Digital TV System (SBTVD). It also presents a literature review, concerning the technologies which, today, enable communication between users and the interactive services available through the open Digital TV stations, in the other words, the return channel. The article also analyzes the effectiveness of the National Brazilian Broadband Plan heading the national broadband plans and strategies adopted by other countries like Argentina and the United States. Some international experience from different countries in the development of supply and in the guarantee of universal access to this technology, provided the basis for the analysis, and in the end, in a systematized way, it highlights its characteristics, objectives and its contributions to implementing it in Brazil / Mestre