The Revision Process of Lab Notebook 2

google image of editing

      This week we were asked to choose an introductory lab notebook to revise. So I decided to change my lab notebook two. Lab notebooks two were concerned with the effect of coronavirus and modern technology. After submitting my response, I had some edits I needed to make. It was clear that I am used to academically sitting my sources. Since I was in the fifth grade, I have cited sources in an academic matter. Therefore when I read the feedback, I was confused. I am so used to literary writing styles I have not even realized that this style of citation is incorrect for this project. This preconceived action may be due to how I have been taught to assume to cite my sources academically. 

     1.Therefore in revising this issue of how I incorrectly cited this source, I went back to our course materials for examples of how the professor would like me to cite sources. I am not accustomed to linking a source to words. So I found it exciting and new to practice this. In addition, this way of citing is helpful when citing smaller pieces for audiences to find the source more directly. 

     2.The second central piece of feedback was the source I cited. The professor clarified that the source I cited would be difficult for an audience to find and understand. I was quoting the movie I based my post on. Therefore I thought it would be wise to cite and embed a link to the film on Netflix. Although the professor expressed that “… the link doesn’t work as you had hoped”. She conveyed that citing a streaming service would only bring them to the movie if they had that specific streaming service. As well, it would not bring them to the particular timestamp. Instead, it would bring them to wherever they were in the movie or to the beginning—causing the audience to search for the specific timestamp. In addition, I did not take into account that some people do not have Netflix, and if they did not, it would not allow them to enter this link. I decided to explain the time stamp in which the movie subject said the quote to fix this issue. Then to help this issue, I linked a source to the movie transcript. Therefore the readers can find the quote and know when it was said in the movie and where to find it.  

       Due to this revision process, I feel I have learned a lot. However, the biggest takeaway for me is taking my time reading instructions and rules no matter how many times it takes me. I tend to think that most professors like to work in similar ways, but that is not always the case. The other significant takeaway is my confidence in WordPress technology. Initially, I was confused and scared to use this technology, although now I have clearly understood how to operate it.

Visualization of Media in My Life

google trends search engine

    Throughout my life, there have been many examples of data visualization. Unfortunately, I believe that there are more examples than I realize. Especially with constantly being on technology sources, I feel we are always seeing them. Whether it is a social media poll, a graph in an article, or a survey data set for school. Specifically, in my life, there is one application I constantly use for my major right now: google trends. Since I am an advertising major within the journalism school, trends are crucial to understanding. Specifically, when it comes to a class, I am currently in a class called Fact or Fiction, J213. This class demonstrates and teaches students how to differentiate and understand what is true or false in the media. In this class, we are often asked to research a story that has been published and use google trends to see where there is engagement with this story. Google sheets will provide data and a graph of where people have looked up and researched the story. This assignment allows us the opportunity to see who believes what time of the media. 

    In this class and other Journalism school classes, the concept of media ethnicity is highly valued. Therefore this means knowing if your source is trustworthy and believable. Consequently, it is essential to trust your sources and the information one is receiving. Not only are these values practiced in media stories, but as well as in the data we as an audience encounter. This concept was described similarly in D’Ignazio and Klein chapter 3 on page 14 as ” Establishing trust between the designers and their audience in turn increases the likelihood that viewers will believe what they see.” Essentially the authors are alluding to the fact that there needs to be trust in where people are receiving their data. Having false data that is believable to an audience is highly misleading. 

    In general, I think that the use of google trends is a great device that helps with different related needs. It demonstrates where google searches are most searched. Since they are linked as one company, I tend to find it to be believable. Although, there are many other sources of visualizing data throughout my daily life. The most influential places I feel I find visualized data are on social media and pop-up articles. I think these aspects of data are skewed towards my generation. 

    Overall, I think that using common data visualizations in different forms allows people less comfortable with data to become normalized to reading it. I specifically do not enjoy looking at data, but I find it rather fascinating when it is easy to understand and embedded in something else interesting.

Group Division   

google image of the process of working in groups

      This week in English 250, we were asked to divide our groups into specific roles. I think due to having such a complex project, this is essential. Not to say that each person is only allowed to stick to their particular position, to have a more defined organization amongst a project of disorganization. In dividing roles, I made it clear that I am good at communicating to my group. Communication has come naturally to me, especially when conveying a message to a larger audience. This is why I am putting my strengths to work and majoring in advertising. I feel that the power of communicating a concept to a larger audience is a great way to connect this idea to others. Therefore, I volunteered to be part of the reporter role. I will report what our group continues to discover amongst the class within this role. Many challenging aspects go into this process in trying to organize the document our group was given. At the beginning of being assigned this project, I initially found it challenging due to the lack of information and the confusion of the intentions of this project. Although with the help of more role direction, I have felt this week was more accessible in managing the material. But thinking on a larger intellectual scale, I am confused about how my group can create a clear ethical outcome due to our decision-making process? I guess I am curious because I am skeptical about how it is responsible for students who are not as educated in this area to manage this information. I think these archives are crucial for The Beyond Toxics and Oregon as a whole. 

       Essentially this mindset forces me to think back to Pomerantz’s reading. Throughout this course, the author Pomerantz has been a crucial influence; therefore, I find it simple to connect his theories to our process. In Pomerantz’s chapter one sentence, I feel the author says it. They said it by expressing, “Metadata is all around us, all the time”( Chapter 1, p. 1). Ultimately this relaxed my mind by viewing the beyond toxics metadata as another form of a concept I am already familiar with. I believe that this specific project is crucial for our class and their organization and the personal lives of many. I feel a sense of great responsibility and fear for messing up the project. However, Pomerantz’s words on metadata helped me in calming down. 

       For spring term English 250, there is a big responsibility that our class is unloading on them. I think the primary way to succeed in this project is to stay diligent and organized the whole time. It is also crucial to know what and why one is doing these projects in this specific way. Our group worked well by learning how to communicate and collaborate simply. Having simple goals and quickly established communication helps create a meaningful outcome. I guess this would be my main piece of advice, as well as to find a group it is easy to get work done and some minimal distractions or issues arise. 

The Project Process     

Google folder of archives

 Before this project, my knowledge of metadata and data archiving was small. As a result, I have not done much data collection, organizing, etc. In addition, throughout my year in high school, I had minimal exposure to the process of data research. Due to my little time spent on this subject, I avoid it. Due to my lack of knowledge surrounding these concepts, I feel insecure in this department. Although starting this class and being in this unit, I have felt a sense of more understanding. Being in an environment where others are learning just like me to comprehend how to understand data management is helpful. Therefore, being in small groups has allowed me to collaborate with others. Specifically, when embarking on this new group project, I felt lost in the beginning—thankfully, having small groups allowed each member to contribute in different ways and learn from one another. 

    In addition to the help of my group members, I found other resources to be of use. In complete honesty, I did not use google sheets in this specific way before this class. However, I have found using technologies for data management and archiving to be extremely useful. This is another area where I have felt I have learned the most from this course. I typically am not one to be well equipped in the technology and numbers department. However, I have gained more confidence in practicing both of these subjects in the course. In addition, I appreciated connecting with my teammates over technology to start our section of the archive. I felt it genuinely helped in productive research. 

I find data organization to be an unfamiliar subject. Although the google applications come in handy when being new to this subject. Our group has many photos of one document that reports on women’s voting rights. In starting to organize these documents, there needed to be a transparent file of all images. I suggested a shared google file. One of our team members, Ben Wise, executed this and shared a file with all documents. Then we all searched for different clues to give us an understanding of the order of these pages. Then once we had an organized shared file, it was easy to save this to each of our devices to have extra accessible copies. I am thankful for googles app services because it makes this pandemic project easier to manage.

       Examining the subject as a whole, we were researching something new for me. I have lived in Oregon my whole life and have learned a lot about its history. Mainly I have learned a lot about Portland’s History. However, I did not know much of Eugene’s history. Therefore, I found it fascinating to learn about what had happened to this town and what continues to happen. As well, focusing on one specific area of this town and a particular point in time of its history gave me a better understanding of the area. I have not spent much time in this town besides this past term. I think it is a valuable skill to be able to understand the history of where one lives.  

       This project has taught me that there is always essential history to learn and be discovered, no matter how big or small of a place. In addition, this project has shown me the importance of data research and organization. I did not realize the time, effort, or collaboration that needs to be put into this kind of work. As we continue this project each week, I think that I will understand more about these subjects. I also believe I will gain more confidence in areas I have dreaded to be a part of. 

The use of technology has evolved our world in both positive and negative ways. Those who argue it has created positivity in the world may refer to the various connections, creations, and advancements it has allowed us to have. The others that think technology is negative are most likely thinking of the constant batteling, depression, and lack of connection it has created in our world. Both perspectives are valid. As well, both sides connect to pressing subject matters amongst society. When considering the negative and positive attributes technology has brought us, there must be a way to meet in the middle. Countless times it has been witnessed that there is much harm connected to technology, on both small and large scales, and many positives that occur in light of the negatives. With all of this being said, there have been instances where technology has been implemented in a positive way to aid a negative situation. For example, in the second chapter of the reading, Data Feminism is to Challenge Power, by Catherine D’Ignazio and Lauren Klein, the authors describe how people can use technology well in a bad situation. This concept was stated when the authors expressed, “In 1971, the Detroit Geographic Expedition and Institute (DGEI) released a provocative map, Where Commuters Run Over Black Children on the Pointes-Downtown Track. The map (figure 2.1) uses sharp black dots to illustrate the places in the community where the children were killed”(chapter 2, D’ignazio and Klien). Ultimately, the authors convey that the use of cooperative data helped in this tragic case. Furthermore, this example helps visualize how technology can find a compromise to an audience. It needs to be clear enough that people want a change for this to happen. I do not think the government should be monitoring every inch of technology. They should not be doing this because everyone has different beliefs and viewpoints about our government. There needs to be a system in place that is fair to each individual. Instead, if the government were to help fund or direct larger companies to fund a movement where every aspect of new technology is inspected thoroughly. Meaning there is no room for biassed algorithms. As well as, the government should ban technology used in ways for personal gain. New websites, apps, and machines should have to go through a certification process where a team of experts is set up to inspect how these technologies will help the general public. This new system would ultimately help many technology issues society faces today. This idea would allow both people who view technology as good and evil to find common ground. Moreover, this method would allow for other arising issues to hopefully end. 

        Throughout my nineteen years in this world, there have been two pressing subjects present in my life. The first one is the evolution of the digital world. The second is racial injustice. Yet, until this week, I did not realize how much these two interact. In particular, this week’s materials expressed the struggle of how technology is set up in a way to be racists. Although technology and the digital world did not just appear, people are behind the programming and creation of these devices. Yet, it seems that people have programmed these algorithms and other aspects of technology to act this way. Overall this issue appears concerning. Therefore, I propose that technology now where it is found to have this issue is re-programmed in order to be inclusive. It seems as though others have already thought to do so. This concept is furthermore expressed through the words of the author’s of Noble Algorithms Of Oppression, when the author describes, “By making visible the ways that capital, race, and gender are factors in creating unequal conditions, I am bringing light to various forms of technological redlining that are on the rise”(p. 1, Safiya Umoj). Ultimately conveying that others are aware of this issue, and they are trying to find a way to change the root of the problem. However, people themselves can not fix the whole situation by themselves. There needs to be assistance from government and technology companies. I believe the government needs to assist in funding this operation. This issue affects many of these countries but the world, therefore providing the funds to fix this problem seems necessary. It seems almost wrong if the government did not have a say or help in the matter. Because much like how Ruha Benjamin coined this era “The New Jim Code ” when interviewed by the Vox Team, the government should not want this to continue. In further examining this, technologies should also want to lend a helping hand. Since these issues start within their companies, they should want to help due to publicity and doing what is best morally. In doing what is best, their companies would not suffer the consequences of being outed to the public, and then in changing it, their ratings as a company will likely go up. Sadly, before the government and major technology companies want to help, it has to become an issue. It has to be visibly shown by consumers and the general public that this is a problem that needs help. With that being said, art and popular culture could serve a purpose in this area. Currently, trends seem to be catching the eyes of many. If there were to be some post like in the video Are We Automating Racism? by the Vox Team, they experimented on Twitter. However, this viral experiment would be artistic and able for others to conduct on their accounts. Overall, it would be easier for the general public to see the issue firsthand and give them a personal motive to help this cause. Hopefully, if this process were to succeed, it could raise awareness of this digital injustice. Furthermore, allowing our world to continue to grow in the right direction.

        The coronavirus struck my senior year of high school. Then, of course, I was at an age where it was crucial to have every social media and technology medium possible. My generation is the generation where reality and the virtual world collide. Therefore when this pandemic first struck, our lives were forced to be virtual—everything from school and work to socializing and entertainment. The coronavirus allowed for some apps to be rediscovered, and now our world would have looked different without them. For example, Zoom and TikTok. These two platforms have evolved societies’ digital reality in that we have become co-dependent. Personally, I do not envision a future without these two mediums. These apps, amongst many others, created much help in a time of need. Furthermore, it provided human connection when everyone lacked that aspect in their lives. In my own life, this was seen because I am an only child with parents with high demanding jobs. Therefore, I could do my work, school and socialize from the exact location. However, this routine came with its own set of negatives as well. I found that my only motion for the day was when I would wake up and do my living room workouts for an hour each morning. Otherwise, I glued myself to my desk chair and my computer. This day-to-day routine became extremely taxing on my mental health. By connecting with others remotely, it became apparent that my everyday routine was similar to those around me and that others struggled with their mental health. It became misleading to hear that there may have been a breakthrough because something sad in our society immediately followed. It became clear that there was officially nothing positive to be thankful for except for wishing good health for those around you. It became abundantly clear that society was physically struggling and mentally devastated. The people’s mental health was seen through many different media outlets. One primary example is in the film Inside by Bo Burnham. Burnham creates a musical comedy film to help throughout this time of isolation. Specifically, he says, “ …to distract me from putting a bullet in my head, with a gun” in the tenth minute and fifteenth second of the movie found on Netflix, seriously conveying the severity of the situation. Although Burnham seems to be saying this message comically, that does not devalue his implemented diction. This film clearly shows that electronics and digital music helped Burnham throughout this complex isolation process. Still, it also revealed how this process has negatively affected his mental health. Overall, I believe that this digital evolution due to the pandemic has created many good and bad outcomes for society. In the future, I wish that people could find a way to learn from how the digital world harmed the world and learn how to reconstruct it. 

    According to the article, Bryn Mawr Digital Competencies Framework, by author Bryan Mawr published in 2016, data management and preservation are essential digital competencies for students. More specifically, Mawr expresses that data queries and reporting are a valued piece of this framework within this category. Sadly this subject is an area where I know little to none. I have grown up avoiding traditional math classes. Therefore I never understood how to manage data or furthermore learned how to “formulae, functions or coded instructions to analyze data within one or more software tools” (4.1. Mawr). In complete honesty, the terminology incorporated by Mawr in this section sounds daunting to me. Before this class, I took one Probability and Stats class my senior year of high school. Although unfortunately, that was my senior year and the year Coronavirus struck. Therefore there was a lack of effort because the students were seniors, and my school discontinued the course in March 2020. The lack of experience with diverse data and other areas of math lead to my inability to perform data management in all aspects that the author Mawr describes. 

    Moreover, Mawr’s digital competencies checklist expresses personally attainable points to me. The initial first step in the list is Digital Survival Skills. Much like the sections on Data Analysis and Presentation, I do not have much background in this subject. Although looking closer in detail within this section, I could be of some potential use, specifically in troubleshooting. Before remote learning, I have had many experiences in group and collaborative work where the group needed troubleshooting. In all honesty, I think it is a valuable skill to acquire now more than ever, moving to more in-person-based learning while still having some academics online. Specifically, in the section where the author states, “Developing a “toolkit” of broadly applicable strategies for diagnosing and solving common problems” (1.3. Mawr), connects to how I typically find myself contributing in problem situations. I believe this could be of use to those around me when it comes time for collaboration. With this being said, I tend to have a more difficult time regarding technology. Sadly I am a younger adult who does not have the same experience as others concerning technology. Despite my prior claim, I believe I am well equipped to connect others with people in this background and learn from the sidelines and help in any way to minimize a problem. 

    On a more positive note, I feel entirely positive there are topics within Mawr’s framework. Excluding the practices of mathematics and technologies, I feel confident in all other aspects of this checklist. Specifically, in the design category, I have much background in all aspects of design and plan to pursue a career in some avenue of it. I appreciated when the author included “Developing a personal “toolkit” of strategies for successfully creating, testing and refining new ideas or solutions to problems” (5.2.Mawr) because I feel it connected many of the areas I think most confident. Overall I think I could best aid my group and activities using these particular digital competencies.