PROJECT ASSIGNMENT: RESEARCH PAPER
Objective
1. The purpose of this project is to demonstrate your understanding of the following course concepts:
2. How companies or organizations and individuals use digital or social media to effectively communicate ideas, information, arguments, and messages to achieve a specific goal.
3. How digital or social media has transformed the communication of an idea, information, and arguments in society.
4. Access, analyze, interpret, and evaluate digital media to foster learning and to guide decision-making.
5. Make responsible choices in the creation and consumption of digital media based on awareness of global, social, ethical, and legal contexts.
Project Description
In this project, you will select a topic discussed in class from the list provided below, conduct additional research on the topic, and share this information in a research paper.
Project Requirements
Select one of the 12 research topics below and complete ALL THREE sections:
RESEARCH TOPICS
Topic 1: Digital Media as a Distraction
Digital Nation: Life on the Virtual Frontier - Chapter 1: Distracted by Everything PBS Online Video Documentary Series - Chapter 1 (00:00 - 08:28 minutes)
Topic 2: Digital Media's Effects on the Brain
Digital Nation: Life on the Virtual Frontier - Chapter 2: What's It Doing to Their Brains? (PBS Online Video Documentary Series - Chapter 2 (08:29 - 10:40 minutes)
Topic 3: The Use of Digital and Social Media in Politics
(Smartphone political ads target non-political events to talk directly to voters, one by one (web page)
Topic 4: Digital Humanitarianism
Innovations in Humanitarian Relief (PBS online video)
Topic 5: Virtual Worlds and Their Impact on Society
Digital Nation: Life on the Virtual Frontier- Chapter 7 Virtual Worlds PBS Online Video Documentary Series - Start the video then Navigate to Chapter 7 (52:05 - 1:01:26)
Topic 6: Fake News
Fake News Vs Real News (PBS Online video)
Topic 7: Digital Rights Management (DRM)
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) (web page)
Topic 8: Filter Bubbles
. How Filter Bubbles Isolate You (YouTube Video)
Measuring the Filter Bubble: How Google is measuring what you click.
Topic 9: Data Visualization (Week 5)
"Information is Beautiful"
Big Data Visualization (YouTube Video)
Topic 10: The Digital Divide
Digital Divides 2016 | Pew Research Center.
Small towns join forces to bridge the digital divide (YouTube video)
Topic 11: Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants
Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants (PDF)
Topic 12: E-commerce
How Amazon Controls E-commerce: Amazon.com the Hidden empire: (online slide show - 84 slides)
SECTION 1: SELECT ONE TOPIC FROM THE 12 TOPICS LISTED ABOVE
Answer the questions below:
Item 1: Which topic did you select?
Item 2: Why does this topic appeal to you?
SECTION 2: SUMMARIZE THE TOPIC YOU SELECTED USING CLASS RESOURCES
Discuss your topic as presented in class.
Item 1: Summarize the information on the topic as presented in the class, using the Read & Watch resources AND any classroom discussion of the topic.
Item 2: Is the topic you selected relevant in a course on digital and social media? Whether you answer yes or no, justify your answer.
Section 2 Sources: Include the source(s) as an in-paper citation and on your References page.
SECTION 3: CONDUCT ADDITIONAL RESEARCH ON THE TOPIC
Provide additional information on the topic you selected by locating TWO or MORE new resources (in addition to the resources provided in class) to expand your knowledge of the topic.
Item 1: What additional sources did you find on the topic you selected (list at least 2)?
Item 2: Why is each resource you found (a) relevant, (b) credible, (c) accurate, and (d) unbiased based on what you learned from the What is a Credible Source? How to Evaluate Web Resources? Address a-d in your answer.
Item 3: What new information do the two new resources contribute to the topic as presented in class?
Section 3 Sources: Include at least TWO SOURCES related to your topic that are NOT presented, discussed, or posted in the weekly Read & Watch in class or posted in the 15 topic list above. Include these sources as in-paper citations and list them on your References page.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.