FIRST -- Featured Information Research Student Talks, a series of public invited talks from SI graduate students
Alternating Fridays, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Brown bag lunch -- bring your own; drinks and snacks will be provided
2245 North Quad (courtyard level)
Speaker: Cliff Lampe
Title: "Perceptions of Facebook’s Value as an Information Source"
Abstract: "Facebook has become an increasingly important tool for people engaging in a range of communication behaviors, including requesting help from their social network to address information needs. Through a study of 614 staff members at a large university, we show how social capital, network characteristics, and use of Facebook are related to how useful individuals find Facebook to be for informational purposes and their propensity to seek different types of information on the site. We find that bridging social capital and engagement with one’s network through directed communication behaviors are important predictors of these dimensions of information seeking; furthermore, a number of demographic and usage behavior differences exist between those who choose to engage in information-seeking behaviors on Facebook and those who do not. Finally, when predicting information-seeking behaviors, we identify a significant interaction between users’ perceptions of Facebook as appropriate for purposes beyond the purely social and their engagement with their network."
In addition to discussing this paper, Cliff will describe some other data collected as part of the same effort, how that data is being analyzed, and how we decide venues for different parts of the research.
Speaker: Adam Kriesberg
Faculty Discussant: Karen Markey
Title: "Digital, Linguistic and Cultural Preservation in Action: The Ojibwe Language Program at the University of Michigan"
Abstract: "What role can digital materials play in the language classroom? How can endangered language communities utilize online environments to foster positive interactions around the language? The Ojibwe language program at the University of Michigan addresses these issues in and outside of the classroom. This presentation will share the results of a project conducted during 2011 with undergraduate students in the program."
Speaker: Radaphat (Pae) Chongthammakun
Faculty Discussant: Paul Edwards
Title: "Boundary Objects, Agents, and Organizations: Lessons from E-Document System Development in Thailand"
Abstract: "Star and Griesemer’s concept of boundary objects has become a central analytic framework in the fields of science and technology studies (STS), computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW), information science, and organizational studies. Scholars have also begun to extend the original boundary object concept in useful ways: for example, to boundary agents and organizations, emphasizing the active nature of translation or communication between networks, organizations, and social worlds. These insights have for the most part not carried over into scholarship on information technology and organizational reform in the public sector, and still less to DG reform efforts outside of the global north. The present paper develops a suite of boundary concepts—objects, agents, and organizations—and connects these to core problems in DG scholarship. Our empirical focus is on DG reform efforts in Thailand—in particular, tensions and challenges surrounding ongoing efforts to develop interoperable and government-wide e-Document systems and practices."
Speaker: Kathleen Fear
Speaker: Ming Jiang
Speaker: Tao Dong
Speaker: Morgan Daniels
Archive of previous FIRST semesters
We look forward to seeing you there!
FIRST Planning Group: Becky O’Brien, Doug Van Houweling, Chrysta Meadowbrooke
2011–12 Doctoral Executive Committee (DEC) of the Doctoral Student Organization: Kathleen Fear, Karina Kervin, Adam Kriesberg, Chris Leeder, Chrysta Meadowbrooke
Sponsored by DEC and the School of Information Office of Research and Innovation