Edited by the Institute for Social Research, Swinburne University of Technology

New Research

National broadband plan: connecting America

18 March 2010Broadband networks only create value to consumers and businesses when they are used in conjunction with broadband-capable devices to deliver useful applications and content. The plan seeks to ensure that the entire broadband ecosystem - networks, devices, content and applications - is healthy.

ACCAN: Digital dividend green paper

12 March 2010The digital dividend is the Australian Government's opportunity to ensure that the benefits to individuals and the community outweigh the costs associated with the switchover to digital television.

Improving mathematics learning in the early years: the use of interactive multimedia

12 March 2010This article reports on research into the potential of interactive multimedia to develop K-1 students' understanding of fractions.

One teacher's response to literacy learning and teaching using technology

12 March 2010Access to technology remains uneven across schools, student competency levels differ and teacher expertise varies considerably.

Sex, social mores, and keyword filtering: Microsoft Bing in the 'Arabian Countries'

12 March 2010Microsoft recently added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing debate regarding the filtering and censorship practices of U.S. search engines in Arab countries.

The economic impact of digital exclusion

12 March 2010This report develops a taxonomy of negative economic impacts associated with digital exclusion in the US.
More...

Arts, music & design

Culture in small and rural communities

05 March 2010The Creative City Network of Canada commissioned a series of reports on developing and revitalizing rural communities through arts and creativity.

OK, computer: file sharing, the music industry, and why we need the pirate party

05 March 2010This essay examines the central issues raised by illegal file sharing and the future for record companies in an environment that increasingly demands flexibility.

More than bums on seats: Australian participation in the arts

03 March 2010This research identifies the key factors which will impact Australians’ future participation in the arts. It also identifies barriers and incentives which impact our participation.

Cultural policy & law

Mass localism: A way to help small communities solve big social challenges

17 March 2010  Localism presents a dilemma. Government has traditionally found it difficult to support genuine local solutions while achieving national impact and scale. This UK report offers a solution

Commentary

Where's the payoff? Convincing citizens to engage with government

12 March 2010Governments regularly hold consultations with their public. Craig Thomler wants value given for value received.

Supporting culture when everyone's on YouTube

12 March 2010  What role can government play in assisting Australian creative talent to catch some of dynamism of emerging markets for culture asks Stuart Cunningham in The Punch.

Government: Don't feed the trolls

04 March 2010Colin Jacobs of Electronic Frontiers Australia laments the depressing cycle of internet nastiness, media attention, government condemnation.
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Audio

Open government: the Information Commissioner

Listen to audio
12 March 2010Following on from the conversation last week on 'open government' this program hosts the head of the newly created Office of the Information Commissioner.

Open government: ideals and realities of 2.0

Listen to audio
06 March 2010A conversation about 'open government' in light of the recent report of the Government 2.0 Taskforce.

Cultural institutions

Literature working group policy

12 March 2010This report provides practical and realistic recommendations to ensure literature in Scotland is able to thrive and is supported in the most appropriate way.

Video

Realising our broadband future

Listen to audio
05 March 2010 Key speakers at this two-day conference held in December 2009 included NBN Co. CEO, Mike Quigley and Jeff Cole, Director USC Annenberg School, who outlined the potential of the NBN for Australia's digital economy. The forum was co-chaired by Dr Paul Twomey and participants included leaders from all parts of Australia. All sessions can be viewed as webcasts with audio or video provided here

Security, cloud computing and the coming mobile environment

Listen to audio
04 January 2010This is a discussion of the evolving cybersecurity challenges, the role of the national communications infrastructure, and the need to bolster innovation.

Creative industries

Websites

Imagining the Internet: A History and Forecast

24 February 2010 The Elon University/Pew Internet Project site Imagining the Internet: A History and Forecast is a multi-section resource containing thousands of pages. It exposes future possibilities while simultaneously providing a peek back at the past.

Data.gov.uk

08 February 2010 UK government website containing open government data for other people to re-use.

Peer-to-Patent Australia

16 December 2009Peer-to-Patent Australia is designed to improve the patent examination process and the quality of issued patents.

Most viewed: This week

1
Where's the payoff? Convincing citizens to engage with government
2
Mass localism: A way to help small communities solve big social challenges
3
The open book of social innovation
4
Creative industries after the first decade of debate
5
Supporting culture when everyone's on YouTube

Books

TV drama in China

  • Edited by Ying Zhu, Michael Keane, and Ruoydon Bai
  • University of Washington Press
This collection of essays brings together the first comprehensive study of TV drama in China. Examining in depth the production, distribution, and consumption of TV drama, an international team of experts demonstrate why it remains the pre-eminent media form in China. The collection explores industry dynamics, how TV dramas are marketed and consumed on DVD, and China's aspirations to export its television drama rights.
Outrageous! Moral panics in Australia

Outrageous! Moral panics in Australia

  • Edited by Scott Poynting and George Morgan
  • ACYS Publishing
In this detailed examination of case studies, a distinguished group of experts demystifies the social processes of moral panic in Australia.

Noticeboard

Antenna dangers shown through online tool
08 October 2009

Swinburne University, together with EM Software and Systems, has developed an online tool that will allow users to calculate exclusion zones around antennas where radiation levels exceed safety standard limits.

Policy Guides

Arts for all: opening doors to people with a disability

This guide provides practical and long-term ways for artists and arts organisations to enhance their access, market their events to the disabled community and build new audiences.

15-02-10

Topics

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