Conference Paper: A Theoretical Model for the Wikileaks Phenomenon

Rebeca Pop, University of Oklahoma, Rebe...@ou.edu

Abstract

Wikileaks was launched in 2006 and has shortly become a controversial non-profit media organization aiming to leak information from censored or restricted documents by using anonymous sources. Soon after it was launched, Wikileaks developed partnerships with international media outlets such as New York Times, The Guardian, and Der Spiegel, so that the leaks would be republished. This phenomenon raises questions concerning the credibility of the source and the double gatekeeping process (through Wikileaks in the first instance and then through the international media publications named above). The existing theoretical body of knowledge and its concepts (Westley & MacLean, 1957; Shoemaker, & Reese, 1996) seem to be unable to explain the Wikileaks phenomenon. Thus, this paper aims to merge the Westley and MacLean model (1957), the credibility theory (Gass & Seiter, 1999; Perloff, 1993; Whitehead, 1968), the news sociology concepts (Shoemaker & Reese, 1996) in order to create a new gatekeeping model.

Conference Paper: Effects of Modality-Interactivity in Exergames on Health Behavior Intentions: Moderating Role of Regulatory Focus

Su” Sung Yeun Kim (1), Yoo Min Lee (2), Richard H. Gramzow (3) & Frank Biocca (4)

1. Media, Interface, and Network Design (M.I.N.D.) Lab, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University, skim...@syr.edu

2. School of Media & Communications, Korea University, yoom...@hotmail.com

3. Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, rhgr...@syr.edu

4. Media, Interface, and Network Design (M.I.N.D.) Lab, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University, fbio...@syr.edu

Abstract

Ever since the introduction of interactive fitness video games, known as “exergames,” there has been a growing interest in understanding their influence on behavioral outcomes. Can playing exergames motivate sedentary people to exercise? What aspects of exergames can facilitate people’s desires or intentions to engage in actual physical exercise? Will the type of self-regulatory goal-striving process that individuals adopt moderate their own health behavior? A 4 (levels of modality-interactivity) × 2 (levels of promotion focus) between-subjects experiment was conducted to explore the effect of modality-interactivity in augmented virtuality-based exergames on participants’ perceived presence, physiological reactivity (measured by heart rate), exergame playing intention, and exercise intention. The potential moderating role of individual regulatory focus also was examined. There was a significant main effect of exergame interactivity on presence, heart rate, and exergame playing intention, but not on exercise intention (N = 159). In addition, individual differences in regulatory focus significantly moderated psychological and psychophysiological reactions to the exergame playing experience.

Conference Paper: Online Educational Simulations: Exploring Questions, Context, and Moral Development

Jonathan D’Angelo (1) & Susan L. Kline (2)

1. University of Wisconsin, jdda...@wisc.edu

2. Ohio State University, klin...@osu.edu

Abstract

Critical thinking and argument skills are significant for developing a range of competencies for participating in society, including moral development. Hence, the focus in this research is on argument discourse skill, and on exploring the effectiveness of a particular intervention – online educational games – as a context for enhancing argument skills, and serving as a platform for moral development. This research examined a specific computer simulation called Place Out of Time, which involved 168 students in five schools from middle through graduate school over a 10 week time period. Here two studies are presented. The first focused on argumentative discourse, finding that students utilize questioning in distinct ways not before accounted for in literature. The second situated these findings by exploring evidence of larger educational development. It is concluded that this context, and online educational simulations, may present a unique and especially effective context for development of argumentation skills, as well as moral development.

Conference Paper: Engaging International Publics and Building Online Networks: How International Activists Use Web sites and Social Media

Aimei Yang, University of Oklahoma, aime...@ou.edu

Abstract

This paper offers a benchmark study of how International Environmental NGOs use Web sites and social media to reach out to the general public in multiple nations. This study also surveys the hyperlink network structure among 509 International Environmental NGOs’ Web sites. Using data-mining technique and hyperlink network analysis, this study finds that across nations, NGOs’ Web sites and social media are able to attract a considerable number of visitors from multiple countries. Further, many NGOs build reciprocal hyperlinks with other NGOs and are embedded in dense clusters. Implications for how activists can use new media to promote social changes are discussed.

Conference Paper: Motivation and Communicating Social Support in Education and Utilization of Computer Technologies among Older Adults

DONG Zhuowen, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, dong...@cuhk.edu.hk

Abstract

This study investigates the dynamic of communication in the process of older adults’ learning and using computer technologies. It focuses on the evolving motivations of computer use by the elderly and social support they seek and receive while communicating with others in their social networks offline or online. By conducting field observation at a community IT (Information Technologies) college and in- depth interviews with elderly students and supportive volunteers, the researcher found that the pursuit of social support was the initial motivation of older adults to learn computer technologies. While learning IT in the community offline or online, individuals communicated with peers, instructors and family members, receiving and even providing social support, which improved their sense of control over changes in life and motivated them to get more benefits from the technologies. Computer- mediated communication was shown to stimulate the exchange of social support. Based on the findings, implications are discussed for harnessing IT to facilitate communication in the social networks of older adults, and provide them with adequate social support, so as to improve their well-being. Suggestions are also given to elderly education programs.