Online Posters
Asynchronous Session
Love between Fairy and Devil: Mythology, Fantasy and Contemporary China Through the Lens of a Popular TV Drama View Digital Media
Poster Session Shu Ling Chen Berggreen
Fictional narratives in many ways reflect how we conceptualize and categorize reality. From this perspective, fiction and reality are not necessarily unrelated, and fantasy is usually based somewhat on reality. So, while reality opens up opportunities for fiction, fantasy can influence our perception of reality. Therefore, the fantasy genre can be seen as serving multiple functions. First, it reflects certain aspects of a society. For example, the recent popularity of online fantasy novels in China reflects the change of worldviews in a new generation of readers. Specifically, the general storyline of these novels tends to parallel the status and struggles of many people in contemporary society. Further, these online fantasy novels satisfy certain psychological needs of the younger generation, providing a space for them to release their frustration. Additionally, the success stories of the characters in these novels potentially gives the younger generation great psychological comfort and the courage to believe in themselves. Finally, these online fantasy novels also gratify some readers’ need to escape. Analyzing fantasy narratives also provides insight into the influence of mythology on people’s mentality, values, and patterns of behavior. Based on an online fantasy novel and produced by iQiYi, the world’s largest online streaming platform, Love between Fairy and Devil (2022) has reached unprecedented popularity in the history of Chinese TV dramas. Through critical discourse analysis, this study examines the show and its relationship with and reflections of contemporary Chinese society.
Artificial Intelligence and Academic Integrity in Distance Education: Exploring Opportunities and Addressing Ethical Challenges View Digital Media
Poster Session Norma Jones, Heidi Williams, Alex Parisky
Artificial intelligence (AI), has emerged as a key disruptive innovation that is reshaping distance education at a speed that may be outpacing our human ability to keep pace. At the same time, AI has the potential to close some equity gaps. From there, current discourses surrounding AI in educational systems (AIED) reflect fears in how students have and may continue to use AI to circumvent the learning process and cheat. In this paper, we consider ways instructors can use AI to facilitate more engaging remote learning experiences. We hope to demystify AI-based tools and then explore how these tools may be used to create to tackle student learning issues such as isolation, motivation, technology, and time management issues. Also, we consider tools to reduce academic integrity issues surrounding AI by using both new and traditional teaching methods. Overall, we hope to equip teachers with a better understanding of AI, as a teaching tool, with a better understanding of AI in education (AIED).
Efficacy Analysis of Online Artificial Intelligence Fact-checking Tools View Digital Media
Poster Session Russell Hartley
Investments in artificial intelligence (AI) spurred development of online fact-checking tools designed to produce accuracy and truthfulness in response to common questions and claims; positioned to potentially serve as more accurate alternatives to public search engines and/or chatbots. This study analyzes the efficacy of online AI tools in producing accurate readings in response to debunked claims determined by a consensus of independent fact-checking organizations, recorded key distinctions among tools, and provided recommendations for future analysis in the efficacy of AI fact-checking. Four AI search engines selected for this study include: ClaimBuster, Full Fact, TheFactual - IsThisCredible?, and Google’s Fact-Check Explorer. Ten claims were inputted into each of the four AI tools to produce individual fact-check reports. Forty fact-check reports were conducted and recorded to reflect their efficacy in producing an accurate reading. Additionally, notes were recorded to describe nuances and key differences for each tool. The study produced an efficacy rating of 100 % regarding the ability of the selected AI tools to produce an overall accurate result debunking the inputted claims. 89 % of fact-check reports produced a result that was unanimous in determining a false/misleading/unsupported claim. The Factual’s - IsThisCredible featured a “Moderate-Right” or “Right” politically-leaning source as its “alternate viewpoint” in 90% of its reports. This study provides support for the notion that AI can play an effective role in aiding truth-seeking in political communications, and its determinations and accuracy depend on referencing a consensus view of independent human fact-checkers.
Safeguarding Communication Studies: Addressing the Challenge of Nativist Belief in English as a Foreign Language Education View Digital Media
Poster Session Damian Rivers
This study outlines the position of communication studies (using English as a medium of instruction) within a Japanese higher education institution and the ongoing struggles experienced by communications faculty through imposed conflations with English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education. It is a common practice within almost all Japanese universities for students to have EFL education during their first two years of undergraduate study. This is often realized as formal language proficiency training supported by so-called native speakers of English who are often employed on temporal contracts and other irregular terms. Within the current research context (an information systems university) the founding philosophy re-imagined EFL education for non-language majors as the training of “playful scientists” through creative English medium experiences relevant the themes of the university. Over time, these ideals have come under increased threat from regressive stakeholders who have moved to assign traditional EFL roles to non-Japanese English speakers regardless of their employment purpose, qualifications and research domain, or their specialized skills within the academic field of communication. Drawing from faculty interviews and policy documentation, this presentation argues that while both disciplines share a common focus on language and communication, their objectives, theoretical frameworks, and pedagogical approaches diverge significantly. The study argues for the independence of communication studies from EFL education within those educational contexts where oppressive nativists views on language and function persist to the professional detriment of faculty who possess skills and abilities beyond assumptions surrounding their so-called native language.
Unnamed Sources in Sport Journalism and Media Ethics in Morocco: The Case of Online Newspapers View Digital Media
Poster Session Abdelatif Abilkassem
This study investigates the use of anonymous sources in Moroccan sports online newspapers and the perceptions of media and communication students toward this practice. A sample of 226 stories posted on “Hesport.com” during the period from 1 April to 30 June 2023 were analyzed in this regard. In addition, 62 media and communication students from the High Institute of Information and Communication and Three Moroccan University filled out a questionnaire designed to serve the purpose of the study. The findings suggest that the use of anonymous sources in sport journalism was relative (14,1 %), but it lack reasonable justifications. The study also showed some abuses of media ethics because of this practice. In addition, the study showed that Moroccan media and communication students held a mixture of positive and negative attitudes towards anonymous sourcing, but the majority of them said they are aware of the need to view it critically.
Artificial Intelligence - Friend or Foe in Academia: The Ethics of Aiding or Hampering Academic Learning and Literacy View Digital Media
Poster Session Josie De Angelis
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being evaluated by academics for what it can bring to the students as a tool, an instrumental aid, or as an unethical device that can derail the student's critical thinking skills. This poster session is to cultivate useful dialog around AI and its application in academia. This is a thought provoking topic that will engage others and spark reflection on AI and how it may help or harm the academic pursuits. For this project, the use of AI will be researched in a classroom setting through student surveys and assignments starting in fall 2023.
