Poster Session
Asynchronous Session
The Use of Organizational Information Sources and Storage Devices in the Era of Digital Transformation View Digital Media
Poster Session Dan Bouhnik, Maayan Nakash
This study focuses on understanding employees' information behavior following COVID-19. Its purpose was to examine whether and how the pandemic had an effect on the use of information sources and storage devices in organizations. Web-based questionnaires were distributed in the first year of the pandemic outbreak in four government ministries in Israel, and were completed by 716 employees. We conducted a series of paired sample t-tests to address the change in the use of information sources and storage devices. The results reveal that despite the frequent transition to flexible employment mechanisms, employees' preferred information resources and storage devices have not changed significantly since the COVID-19 outbreak. Specifically, personal folders on the computer and mail folders in the email box were reported as both information sources (73.88%, 73.74% respectively) and storage devices (75.51%, 67.88% respectively) particularly popular during COVID-19. Naturally for the adoption of a restrictive policy of social distancing, we find that there is a 7% downward trend in turning to colleagues to obtain information. With the transition to a digitization-oriented work environment, a 14% increase in the use of the Internet in pursuance of organizational information was detected in the pandemic, while an 11% decrease in the organizational information storage on hard copies was detected. This study provides a unique opportunity for a better understanding of the conduct in remote work environments and encourages future studies to continue researching information behavior in the “new normal” in organizations.
Comparing Middle School Pre-service and In-service Teachers’ Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge Competencies and Levels View Digital Media
Poster Session Hsing-Wen Hu, Grant Sasse
The objective of the proposed study is to compare middle school pre-service and in-service teachers’ TPACK (Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge) competencies and levels. As part of this study, twelve middle school pre-service mathematics teachers and twelve middle school in-service mathematics teachers will be observed during the fall 2023 semester. This study compares participants’ TPACK development stages and competencies. Data is examined with a qualitative lens using a collective case study approach.
Bitcoin Use Cases a Scoping Review View Digital Media
Poster Session Poornima Goudar, Emma Apatu
Money, a fundamental societal element facilitating goods and services exchange, has evolved from the physical to the digital realm, notably with the rise of decentralized cryptographic peer-to-peer networks. Bitcoin is a leading cryptocurrency and has garnered increasing adoption as a legitimate form of currency. However, peer-reviewed literature often combines Bitcoin with other cryptocurrencies, leaving a gap in understanding its unique impact. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to summarize individual and societal use cases of bitcoin exclusively. This review uses the Arksey and O’Malley framework. The search strategy involved databases such as Web of Science and Engineering Village, yielding 977 titles, of which 69 were fully analyzed, and 16 studies (published between 2016-2023) were included. We found investment and savings to be the primary use case with limited unique cases such as donations or Point-of-Sale use. The reported demographic use was mostly men. On a societal level, only 1 case was identified in El Salvador but various limitations were presented. The predominant focus of individual use cases has been on Western nations. Bitcoin is a new monetary system that is being reported as an investment and savings instrument. Currently, the adoption of Bitcoin is not widespread in its use but new technical layers like the Lightning Network could increase more adoption and use cases. Individual and country adoption might increase as current financial systems are strained and need a digitally scarce monetary network.
MediaTech Power, Morality, Schadenfreude Viewing: Examining Netflix and Salma Hayek’s Black Mirror View Digital Media
Poster Session Diana Rios, Mary Helen Millham
Gleeful audiences are fascinated and captivated by damage endured by two women and are frenzied for more experiences of schadenfreude (sad-joy). An episode of the series “Black Mirror”pulls viewers into a morass of calculated deception, intrusive surveillance and intersectional abuses by gender, class, and ethnic/national origin. Fictional viewers are glued to a globally streamed show “Joan is Awful” as AI algorithms adjust and direct fresher and increasingly more denigrating catastrophes for the real Joan and Salma Hayek (playing herself). Multilayered episodes beckon viewers to participate in the spectacle by attention to the show and as paid hate-commentators. This fuels further iterations of hurtful deep-fakes of Joan and of the Mexican-American actress. As part of multidimensional ironies, this show, within a show, provokes discomforting entertainment by Netflix viewers in real life. We viewers are invited to gawk, shift in our seats and try to avoid naming the badness of our human base desires. We “distance” ourselves from the abuses by claiming, it is not I who engages with the show, it is other Netflix subscribers (“third person effect") who are “bystanders” to the suffering of others. In reality, scholars, professionals and students, must examine who claims in-group superiority (corporations and citizenry) using AI and other media tools, while women, ethnic groups, certain national origin peoples, religions, are torn down and shoved to a lower place in society? Black Mirror calls all consumers to critically question our media participation, our usage, and to recover human morality.
Online, Distance Education Revisited: Dark Academy, Hopeful Academy View Digital Media
Poster Session Mary Helen Millham, Diana Rios
Educators are on a moving train so to speak, where the landscapes of society, economy, socio-politics are ever-changing. We educators-scholars are motivated to discuss darkness (challenges, problems) and hopes (successful trouble-shooting, professional and pedagogical reinvention, instructional groundedness and futurism), because we see student trends (US Census; Pew; Nat. Center for Education Statistics) increasing in speed and becoming more broadly evident. Students are still more distracted, anxiety-ridden, and depressed, redefining their goals of successful outcomes. We offer pedagogical comparisons between a private liberal arts college and a large public university in the northeastern US. We overview prevalent challenges and tentative solutions related to hybrid, and fully online courses that we have taught since the 1990s. We draw insights from an emeritus educator-scholar who taught and trained others during the 1970s utilizing traditional fTf and what was then called “distance education”. We are profoundly invested in supporting, guiding and preparing next generations of world citizens that come through our courses. We strive to make cold impersonal more personal and relevant, overcoming a weakness of online experiences overall. Educators are in an inevitable process of quick reinvention, exploiting effective technology, and creating more relevant (important and engaging) course content. In the long run we are exhaustedly improving our abilities, offerings, and advancing our piece of a hopeful academy.
Therapist in Your Pocket, Ghost in the Machine: Questions We Need to Ask About Mental Health, Platforms, Apps View Digital Media
Poster Session Graciela Quinones-Rodriguez, Diana Rios
What a great help it would be to confidently rely on a personalized pocket therapist to get through a tough day. The “ghost in the machine”, consciousness, or response mimicry processes (by apps, bots, within online platforms) indicates ways to minimize stress for anxious people. Trends in the US reflect a confluence of mental health struggles among the populace, a shortage of licensed mental health providers, and broad online access. These issues and phenomena connect to and clash with income disparities (socio-economic class), health insurance coverage (not a right but a privilege), and several other factors. How do free online platforms, AI chatbots, mood trackers, CBT self care, etc., fulfill a function, and what are possible boundaries and limits? Do popular TikTok and YouTube health tips count? Are state-sponsored platforms or clinic apps a better way for people? This poster will present context by presenting federal/national/local data (USDH; CT-DMHS; Pew) on depression and anxiety. We highlight select mental health data on women, university students, lower income, and ethnic/racial minorities. Snapshots illustrate numbers of licensed, trained, professionals in the US. The digital landscape today reveals stepping stones toward possible solutions for human problems. There are no solid answers about how digital world creations can be harnessed for profound positive differences in national mental health. There are humanitarian-based hopes. We must all continue to ask forward-oriented questions about innovations and services created to improve our lives.
The Quality of Life of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Beneficiaries in Bulacan, Philippines View Digital Media
Poster Session Llija Desiree Montecastro, Jayven Kyle Parole, Ariane Joy Santiago, Camille Padillo, Aime Ericka Cruz
The Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) is a land reform program in the Philippines that aims to address the pressing issue of the declining quality of life among farmers. The main objective of the study is to examine the correlation between the extent of CARP implementation and the quality of life among Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARBs) in Bulacan cities, with the number of years as beneficiaries serving as a mediating variable. Mixed methods research were used to obtain a comprehensive result of the study. The result of the study shows weak positive relationship between the implementation of CARP and the Quality of life of the beneficiaries.
The Socio-Economic Status of Northville Residents in Bulacan, Philippines View Digital Media
Poster Session Patricia Ivy Nunag
The socio-economic status is the social class of an individual or group of individuals in the community. The study focuses on the Assistance to Individuals in Crises Situations (AICS) of the Department of Social Welfares and Development (DSWD). Mixed method research design which is a combination of qualitative and quantitative approach were utilized. The result exhibits that the AICS Indicators like medical, educational, travel and food assistance are not implemented properly.
Lupong Tagapamayapa ng Katarungang Pambarangay View Digital Media
Poster Session Paul Christian Ganelo
In every barangay or village, as mandated by Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991, there shall be a creation of “Lupong Tagapamayapa,” which refers to as “Lupon” who shall be responsible for handling contentions between parties, in accordance with the Katarungang Pambarangay Law. The study evaluates the appointed members of Katarungang Pambarangay on their competency level by analyzing their understanding of the Katarungang Pambarangay Handbook of 2014. Mixed method research was applied to provide a rich and in-depth output of the study. The initial presumption suggests that the competence of Lupon members may be lacking in delivering a quality Barangay Justice System based on observed indicators.
Breaking Boundaries and Bridging Abilities of Persons With Disabilities View Digital Media
Poster Session Jeannie Tepace, James Patrick Francisco, Imee Nicole Culilap, Jan Russell Nicolas Cruz, Lindsy Faye Remiscal
Workplace has often been dominated by able-bodied individuals, as Persons With Disabilities (PWD) emerge to the new generation of workforce, their productivity and fulfillment are scrutinized to assess their relationship and the identification of its contributors from their workplace environment. The study aims to identify variables that influence work productivity –whether work productivity and work fulfillment are correlated and draw recommendations for improving PWD employees' work morale. Utilizing a mixed-method research design combination of quantitative and qualitative methods to obtain a comprehensive result. The output shows that PWDs in Malolos, Bulacan are bounded by colleagues’ stereotypes on their capabilities assigned with subpar roles that limit their productivity affecting overall work fulfilment.
Akyatang Walang Hagdan View Digital Media
Poster Session Angelicabelle Corsino, Christian Alivia, Bleszaira Dela Cruz, Alexandra Perez, Ara Mae Gonzalvo
The study focuses on enhancing PWD-friendly infrastructure at the Bulacan State University (BSU). Employing a mixed-methods approach, it combines policy document analysis, on-site observations, and stakeholder interviews. The findings have the objective of enhancing the execution of accessibility laws, promoting diversity at BSU, and potentially serving as guidelines for other institutions. The study enhances Inclusivity by assessing facilities and identifying obstacles, to ensure promoting equal access to services and education. The result shows that the university's existing infrastructure might not entirely comply with the legally required accessibility standards, creating difficulties for individuals with disabilities in their academic activities.
Philippines’ Devolution Effort and the Budgetary Practices of Bulacan’s Local Government Units View Digital Media
Poster Session Jethro Jed Cruz, Rica Mell Policarpio, Hannah Navarro, Daphne Alia Malvar, Gavin Gerbie Japsay
As the Philippines moves closer towards greater decentralization, questions are being raised on the capabilities of Local Government Units (LGUs) to generate local revenues and accept projects and programs assigned by the national government. The study seeks to find how LGUs have utilized their significantly larger budget in Bulacan’s component cities of Malolos, Meycauayan, and San Jose del Monte. Using sequential exploratory design, semi-structured interviews on cities’ budgets and planning officers and content analysis on budget documents were analyzed to probe appropriations on revenues. The result shows that despite their expanded capacities, cities receive a larger share of their total operation revenues from the national government than local taxes.
Dreamers’ Diaries: Lived Experiences of Economically Disadvantaged Students View Digital Media
Poster Session Kianna Sophia De La Rosa, Roselyn Dolorican, Hannah Gail Manzano, Mica Gatchalian
The Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE) Act was established to provide free tuition and other school fees to students from all socio-economic classes in state and local universities and colleges, and state-run technical-vocational institutions. However, economically disadvantaged students admitted to the University are still facing complex realities of their everyday lives as they struggle with balancing their academic responsibilities with living expenses. The phenomenological and ground theory research methods were applied to obtain comprehensive results. The findings recommend a comprehensive intervention to help the financially struggling student population foster a more inclusive learning environment for all.
Leadership Innovation of Pandemic Sangguniang Kabataan View Digital Media
Poster Session Tricia Mae Vitangcol
Youth are acknowledged for their essential contributions to society, specifically in leadership positions, and commended for their resilience and creative pursuits amidst the adversities posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study investigates the lived experiences and leadership innovations of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials during the pandemic, to offer valuable insights and practical inputs for capacity building that could significantly enhance the capabilities of future youth leaders. Mixed method research was utilized in data gathering to attain a holistic result. The output of the study exhibits that the lived experiences and innovative leadership of Pandemic SK officials serve as inputs for capacity building and the insights gained could prove beneficial for upcoming youth leaders in addressing unforeseen challenges.
Emergency Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation Program of Department Social Welfare and Development in Bulacan, Philippines View Digital Media
Poster Session Dixie Mae Villacorta, Owelldale Villegas, Regilyn Hipolito, Ma. Danica Villanueva
The study assesses the efficacy and satisfaction of the Emergency Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (EAICS) Program at Social Welfare and Development (SWAD) in the province of Bulacan in the post-pandemic era, focusing on its transition from Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) to provide a wider range of financial and material assistance. The study aim is to review various aspects of the EAICS program including demographic analysis, effectiveness assessment, beneficiary satisfaction analysis, challenges identification, and recommendations development to enhance service delivery. Mixed-method research approach was applied to obtain the comprehensive result. Findings reveal that while beneficiaries and Social Welfare Officers were content with the EAICS program to some extent, their feedback on areas of dissatisfaction proved crucial for guiding policy formulation, decision-making in resource allocation, program scaling, and enhancing academic research.
The Role of Civil Society Organization to the Local Development Council in Decision Making View Digital Media
Poster Session Christine Mae Vargas, Cristel Lema, Irish Bantula
The participation of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in governance as outlined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which ensured the promotion and protection of people's participation at all "levels of social, political, and economic decision-making". The study identifies the extent of the Civil Society Organization's role in the program and policy implementation of the Local Development Council. It also seeks to determine whether the number of members inside the organization influence the Civil Society Organization’s ability to effectively voice issues from the public. The study utilizes a quantitative research design using purposive sampling. The results show a lack of collaboration between both parties and requires further enhancement in terms of the development planning decision-making process.
Problematic Gaming as Digitalized Social Isolation: Exploring the Life-histories of 30 Ex-gamers View Digital Media
Poster Session Benediktas Gelunas
Gaming disorder is a new addiction diagnosis formalized by the World Health Organization in 2019. It is mostly associated with the young male demographic in technologically advanced countries. Supporters of the diagnosis state that it addresses a real need for treatment and policy guidelines, while critics argue that the diagnosis ignores and hides the importance of social context and game-specific attractions in habit formation. The poster presents the life-histories of “recovering” gamers to understand how, if at all, gaming habits are related to social environments and change. Drawing on interdisciplinary research and interviews with 30 “recovering” male gamers, the presentation examines the multifaceted development and diminishing of gaming problems in relation to social circumstances like family environment, peer dynamics, migration, gender, etc. The study covers the arc of gaming habits from early stages to development of problems and, finally, reduction or quitting, emphasizing the environmental circumstances within which these changes in habit happen. Problematic gaming is shown as an integral part and outcome of complicated or stressful social experiences. The context-dependent nature of problematic gaming illustrates the impact of micro- and macro-social factors on individual mental health and the need for addressing the phenomenon as social at least as much as a medical issue.
