It's All Over - My Final Reflection

It's all over! The end of the semester, and another year at UCD.

At the beginning of the semester when we heard that we were going to have the opportunity to make an Android application, I was very excited. I think all my team members were. It was something that we all had an interest in. Once we understood the objectives of the app we jumped right in to designing and creating our app.After only a week and a half we had come up with our idea. We had a few prototype ideas, most of which wouldn’t work with the app inventor we had to use. However, all of the ideas revolved around the UCD Societies. We felt like an app for the societies would be very useful to new and existing students.Our very first idea was to use an RSS feed for events, however we could not make it look aesthetically appealing or fully functional. So we scrapped the idea and adopted a new idea revolving around Google Calendars.

In week 2 we decided to give each other roles as it would speed up the work and if we divided up the work load, in the end we would come up with a better app. I took the role as team leader, app developer, concept development and designer. Later into the semester I also took up the role as app tester along with Hideki.

I did all the app inventor work on my own as we guessed it would be too hard to share an account effectively, without ending up in lots of mistakes in the blocks editor. So I ended up developing the whole app solely. I had the apps functionality and operation sorted after about a week from when I started. I was enjoying the blocks editor that I ended up spending a lot of my free time playing around with it. I focused mainly on the operation of the app, George had volunteered to take care of the apps design while the others were looking after the society databases. They created one with all of the society calendars (which we all created one day), one for Facebook links, one for Twitters, YouTubes and websites. I then took these databases and "programmed" them into the app.

After a few weeks we completed the very first version of our new app and it was very basic in appearance. And none of us were very happy with it. We asked George to come up with some new ideas for icons and buttons and a logo as the ones we had weren't an effective use of the mobile screen space. George came back with the idea to create simplistic logos, and have them in a table formation, as this would use the mobile screen space more effectively. I then took this concept, which everyone had agreed on, and created (using Adobe Photoshop) the app layout and user interface that can be seen in the final app on Google Play.

The most challenging things about the app project was 1. The communication and 2. Contacting societies.

Communication was a big issue at the beginning of the semester. I was creating the app and taking ideas from everybody and integrating them, but somehow one week it turned out that nobody was happy with anything. We got through this bump in the road and focused on clearer communication and we were able to come together and work together effectively as a team.

Contacting the societies was a near impossible task. We tried everything, emailing, sending letters, contacting them on Facebook and asking society members to get onto the society Auditors for us. But even after all of this, we only received a few replies. It was honestly a bit of a nightmare. The app however is fully functional, there is a space waiting for all UCD Societies, we just need to get them on board. And in terms of the project itself...we have ran out of time. However, the app is fully functional, the concept works, and the head of societies Eoghan Murphy loves the app. So I would call the app a success in terms of user interface, function and design, but overall a failure because we don’t have societies adding content to their calendars.....yet.

After a meeting held between Hideki and I and Eoghan Murphy, he told us that he is very interested in the app and wants to take it higher. However he was conscious about our grades and the project itself and didn't want to interfere until we had submitted the projected and the exams were complete. He is talking with UCD about the app and he said hopefully they will like the app and would want to take it to the next level.They would want full access to the app and its content and be able to design and brand it to their liking. I guess you could say we would lose control of our own app, however due to it being a university project, we don’t own it anyway, UCD does.Eoghan did however mention payment for the app. They might pay us for the concept and the upkeep of the app. This is something I am very much looking forward to...if it ever happens...fingers crossed!

Outside of the module I took my own initiative to make my own app using the knowledge I had gained throughout the module. I won't get into it as it’s off topic and not relevant to the group project itself, but if you want to check it out follow this link.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed the module, it was extremely interesting and I have learnt a lot of valuable skills.

Week 10 - Social Computing for Business

Source: globalbrandingcentral.com

This week in Social Computing and Media we had a guest lecturer from the University of Economics in Prague.

Her name was Lucie Bohmova and she based her lecture on social media in business. 


She told us about the four Cs; creating, curating, connecting and culture. 
You must employ a strategy where you get your audience to know your business through brand recognition. If this is done people will be more likely to buy your product. I have employed this strategy this week as I have been developing a website for business. This lecture was a great help towards the job.


We were also shown a short video on YouTube about social media:

Source: mag-corp.com

This weeks lecture was on visual media.

Visual social media can be used:

• Academically
• Recreationally
• Socially
• Politically
• Commercially
• and more

In the lecture we learnt that:

1. Tweets with images get twice the engagement.
2. Larger images tend to get more likes, shares and comments.
3. YouTube is the 2nd largest search engine on the web.
4. 700 YouTube video links are shared on Twitter every minute.
5. 500 years of YouTube videos are watched on Facebook everyday.
6. 44% of U.S. email marketers report increased engagement rates in messages containing video.
7. Consumers are 27 times more likely to click through online video ads than standard banners.

This Friday we had to complete an e-tutorial on Flickr. The task was to create a profile and upload some photos. We had to add tags and descriptions and titles. Here is my album.

Here are the photos I uploaded:

Week 7 - Mashups and I made a new app!

Source: ioexception.de

This week in Social Computing and Media, we discussed web mashups!

A mashup, in web development, is a web page, or web application, that uses content from more than one source to create a single new service displayed in a single graphical interface. For example, you could combine the addresses and photographs of your library branches with a Google map to create a map mashup.In our Friday f2f lab, we were given the task to create a web mashup using Google Maps. I made a mashup that displays heritage oak trees of Ireland. The map displays oak trees and sacred trees found in Ireland. Each tree has a location pin, and each pin is different. When a pin is selected, information about the chosen tree is displayed.

Here is my web mashup:

I have also been developing my own app in my spare time. The app is aimed at beginner mountain

Download!

bikers. The app is called Mountain Bike Shock Doctor.

The Shock Doctor has many features including:  

• Sag Calculator: Calculate sag for forks, air and coil rear shocks. 

• Trouble-shooter: Solve your bike's suspension problems on the trail.

• My Notes Section: Take note of your favorite suspension set up for each trail that you ride!

• Sag recommendations for all styles of riding.

• Suspension tuning terminology guides.

• Setup guides with detailed explanations.

• Detailed diagrams and definitions & More!

The app has received way more downloads than I expected!

Week 6 - Video Communication Methods

Source: s3.amazonaws.com

This week in Social Computing and Media, we discussed various methods of video communication.

In our lab time we were given the task to create a screen cast video using Screencast-o-Matic. This site allows users to record the screen on their computer in other words, its a screen capture website.
Our task was to create a short video demonstrating a Google Image search and upload it to YouTube.
We were also to experiment using the edit feature in the YouTube video manager.
I added a backing track to my video and also transcribed the video and added subtitles for the hard of hearing.

Here is my screen cast video: 

I also used this opportunity to make another screen cast video explaining how the UCD Societies App works:

Week 5-Download our app on Google Play!

Our app is complete and on the Google play store. Download it here for free!

Like us on Facbook! 

This Friday our group completed our app and published it to the Google Play store for students to download. We are currently in the process of marketing the app to students across UCD and the societies. So far we have received fantastic feedback with many societies contacting us to collaborate! We had a total download count of 36 over night and two five star reviews!

In our lab on Friday we learnt about Prezi and how it can be used to convey information.

I made this Prezi presentation to share more information about our app.

Week 4 - Using Diigo and Pinterest

Source: monsterbacklinks.com

This week in Social Computing and Media we spoke about social bookmarking.

Social bookmarking: 

·         Definition: Use of bookmarks, sometimes accompanied by meta data descriptions, to represent organise, share,manage, and search for resources/information online.

·         Metadata may include text, evaluation. folksonomy of tags.

How social bookmarking works:

·         Using social bookmarking tools, individuals select or bookmark online content.

·         Similar to bookmarking in your internet browser, except that here the goal is to share conent.

·         Sharing can be entirely open to the general public or restricted to particular individuals or groups.

·         Other users can add content.

The following video explains Social Bookmarking in more detail, and is quite interesting:

This weeks lab work

This week our lab was not face to face. We were given two tasks to complete on our own at home. 

Our first task was that we had to set up a Diigo account.

"Diigo is a social bookmarking website which allows signed-up users to bookmark and tag web-pages. Additionally, it allows users to highlight any part of a webpage and attach sticky notes to specific highlights or to a whole page." - Source Wikipedia

Our task was simply to set up an account, add the Diigolet button to our browser and bookmark this page about the dark side to mashups. We then had to add an appropriate title, description and tags to the article. In my own time I had a quick look at other Diigo features such as searching, bibliography, sharing and screenshots.

My Library on Diigo

Our second task was to set up an account on Pinterest.

Source: pinterest.com

Pinterest is a web and mobile application company that offers a visual discovery, collection, sharing, and storage tool. - Wikipedia

The task was to set up an account, create a board and pin an image from this article. We then had to go to Stuff I want to Make board and follow it. We also had to like an image and repin it.

My Board on Pinterest

Week 3-Our App is Complete!

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/

This week in Social Computing & Media we discussed online wikis.

A wiki is an e-space which facilitates sharing of information and expertise to create something e.g. a particular product, consensus around a Q&A. Two examples of popular wikis are Wikipedia and WikiLeaks.

Source: wikileaks.org

Wikis have advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

• They are highly participative.
• They enable input from all participants.
• Draft versions are easily identified.
• Speed of updating information over traditional media.

Disadvantages:

• Quality issues

• Are we all experts?

• Perceived ease of use of software in some cases.

• Gender bias, Contributors are for the most part male.

We also spoke about two types of motivators:

1. Intrinsic motivator: Motivations as of them selves, not outcome or goal orientated. No rational reason. Eg. wiki posters find it fun to post.
2. Extrinsic motivation: Self image, personal gain. E.g. Blog posters who want to use their blog for a CV or job.

Our App:

Week three was an extremely productive week for our team project. Our app is complete and we are extremely proud of it. We don't want to give anything away yet, but lets just say that our app has received interest from a very important person. We had an interview/meeting with said person on Friday morning after our lab. So during our lab we were preparing for our meeting by building the final APK and downloading it for demonstration purposes. The lab work we found to be be too simplistic, apologies, so we didn't make the Magic 8 Ball app. In my defence however I already knew how to make that app.

Below are some screen shots from the block editor of our app:

The data inputted has been removed as we feel it will give the app away! These are two of 6 pages. the remaining pages are more complicated. As the main app developer it took me a long time to figure out how to get the app to work perfectly. As a team, we are excited to present this app to the class when the time comes!

No Social Media for a Day Challenge

Source: http://www.givebackourfreedom.com/

Last week, our lecturer gave the class the challenge to go one whole day without using social media.

I am a scout leader and over the weekend I brought my troop camping in the Wicklow mountains. There is no mobile signal here, let alone an internet connection. I guess you could say I took this challenge to the extreme. I couldn't call or test anyone, and I couldn't access the internet.

We camped Friday night until Sunday afternoon. I had brought my phone with me, even though I knew I wouldn't get signal. I guess I'm attached to the device. I bring it everywhere and use it everyday. For the first day I kept checking my phone to see if I had any messages. I did this out of habit. It was a little irritating not being able to contact anyone, or check up on current events, or even the weather forecast. 

On the second day I kept imagining that my phone vibrated in my pocket with a notification. Of course this wasn't possible without a connection. Once I came home I researched this phenomenon. 

I soon found out that it was extremely common:

Sensing phantom phone vibrations is a strangely common experience. Around 80% of us have imagined a phone vibrating in our pockets when it’s actually completely still. Almost 30% of us have also heard non-existent ringing. Are these hallucinations ominous signs of impending madness caused by digital culture?- Source: mindhacks.com

Phantom vibration syndrome or phantom ringing is the sensation and false belief that one can feel one's mobile phone vibrating or hear it ringing, when in fact the telephone is not doing so. Other terms for this concept include ringxiety, hypovibrochondria and fauxcellarm- Source: Goodman, Brenda (4 May 2006). "I Hear Ringing and There's No One There. I Wonder Why.". The New York Times. p. 1.

This is a very interesting topic, one that I plan on researching further.

In conclusion, the lack of internet and mobile signal made me aware that I am, in a way, addicted to using my phone to socialise. It drove me to imagine my phone was vibrating and notifying me when it never did.

Week 2 - Team Work is Underway

Source; http://project-management.com/

This week in Social Computing and Media we spoke about communication.

There are traditional, semi-traditional and modern ways of communicating.
Traditional means of communication include face to face communication, the telephone and communication through writing e.g. letters.
Semi-traditional communication methods include emails, online chat and broadcasting and the mobile phone. However recently these means are starting to become traditional as more modern methods exist.
Modern forms of communication involve using the internet. Examples include social media sites like Facebook and Twitter and also web conferencing.

Source: www.cite.co.uk

There are many forms of social media types:

• Publish 
• Share
• Discuss
• Social Networks
• Micro-blogging
• Live Stream
• Live-cast
• Virtual Worlds
• Social Gaming
• MMO

Gatekeepers:In human communication,in journalism and organisation etc. gatekeeping concerns the process through which ideas and information are filtered for publication.

"The fundamental battle fought in society is the battle over the minds of the people...Because communication, provides the support for the social production of meaning, the battle of the human mind is largely played out in the processes of communication. And this is more so in the network society, characterised by the pervasiveness of communication networks."- Castells: Communication Power

Our first week of Social Computing and Media

Source: interactive.usc.edu

This week Shane McLoughlin, our lecturer,  welcomed us to Social Computing and Media. We were given a break down of the module and its assessments. We have to post every week to our blog and record our learning. We will be using it as our e-portfolio.

This module requires us to do a group project. We must make a mobile app or a web mashup. This week we were given the opportunity to meet up with out groups, introduce ourselves and plan our project.
My group messaged each using Facebook and formed a group chat. We did this so that it was easy to communicate. We came to the decision to make a mobile application as it seemed to be the most appealing and fun option. We used our wiki space on blackboard to start sharing our ideas, and I must say, I am quite excited to get started!

I am happy with my group, we are all enthusiastic and friendly. We all want to jump
right in and get started with our project.
This week I was also given the task to complete two online assessments. These required me to follow two online tutorials and learn the material for an online mcq test. Both of the tutorials were quite basic and were easy to finish quickly.

Source: nick54324860.blogspot.com

In the lectures we began discussing what social computing is. Social computing is the collaborative and interactive aspect of online behaviour. It includes logs, wikis, social networking, social bookmarking etc. and is closely related to web 2.0. Social media is any form of of online publication or present that allows end users to engage in multi-directional conversations in or around the content on the website.

The first generation of the world wide web is referred to as Web 1.0. It was a time of one way communication of information that was characterised by static web sites, as opposed to changing spaces.

The second generation, Web 2.0, is a concept which can be thought of as the framework of applications supporting the processes of social computing. In 2009, Castells defined web 2.0 as: "the clusters of technologies, devices, and applications that support the proliferation of social spaces on the internet"

Web 3.0 is the third generation of the world wide web. It is a semantic web an idea originally proposed by a man named Tim Berners Lee who said that Web 3.0 is "a web of data that can be processed directly and indirectly by machines"

This is an interesting YouTube series of videos that talks about social computing:

That's all for week 1!