2. What is Digital Ethnography?
Ethnography is the scientific description of the customs of
individual peoples and cultures.
Digital ethnography is defined as ‘any ethnography in which
‘data-gathering methods are mediated by computer-mediated
communication or digital technologies’. It can comprise of a
number of different methods in which researchers can collect the
behaviour data they need from participants – either in a mobile
or online environment.
3. 3 Stages of Digital Ethnography
Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information
on variables of interest, in an established systematic fashion that
enables one to answer stated research questions, test hypotheses, and
evaluate outcomes.
Content analysis is a research method for studying documents and
communication artifacts, which might be texts of various formats,
pictures, audio or video. Social scientists use content analysis to
examine patterns in communication in a replicable and systematic
manner.
Comparative analysis is the item-by-item comparison of two or more
comparable alternatives, processes, products, qualifications, sets of
data, systems, or the like.
4. Museum(http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Fancy%20Decor/107/120/30)
The Vordun Museum appears to be on an island
located in the middle of the ocean. The island seems to
have a forested landscape, with a mountain on the East
most end. It is also covered in snow, and the trees have
a Christmas-y like twinkle. The museum itself has a
very traditional look, and is surrounded by very
contemporary looking artworks. Within the museum,
you can find very traditional artwork, mainly consisting
of paintings.
5. Community
The museum does not seem to have a set
demographic, other than those interested in art. I
visited at a time when no one else was there, so I
was unable to obtain any data, as far as the
demographic of visitors. The museum itself
seemed geared towards painters and sculptors.
The outside was deceiving, in a way, with very
contemporary sculptures surrounding it, but as
you walked in, you were surrounded by very
traditional paintings.
6. Artist
The artist I was able to get information from was our guest speaker,
Sandrine. I was part of a group interview, and she was very happy
to provide any information for us. She runs the International Art
Education Association, and has a museum full of students works.
Her avatar is a tiny rabbit that she and her son share. I believe the
avatar changes occasionally, as her profile picture has a human
form in front of the InAEA sign on her museum.
7. Data Collection(Marylou speaking in place of Sandrine.)
17:24] Marylou Goldrosen: My research is in Second Life. I am a MoM -
my boy is 41/2.
[17:25] MeowMaddy: are there any other virtual worlds you like to do
research with.
[17:26] Marylou Goldrosen: I met my husband on SL. He can do research
with me. We travel the world together. We are now in Vancouver!!!
[17:26] Sandrine Han (kristy.handrick):
http://blogs.ubc.ca/educationalvirtualworld/
[17:26] Marylou Goldrosen: Thanks to my husband, I have my own virtual
world -- Open Sim VCER.
[17:27] Marylou Goldrosen: I investigate online games
[17:27] MeowMaddy: Very cool! What draws you to second life
specifically?
[17:28] Marylou Goldrosen: My students told me about SL.
[17:29] Marylou Goldrosen: I was adducted to SL at first
8. Content Analysis
WHY: I chose this work because it was within the museum that
Sandrine is involved with, and it stood out to me , as it is one of
those works that you have to investigate a little to understand all
that is going on.
HOW: I met Sandrine through her guest presentation, although
this work is by one of the students.
WHAT: Sandrine is part of the International Art Education
Association.
WHO: I accessed this work through Sandrine Han, or Kristy
Handrick, who I believe is an art educator. The artist who took
this photo is named Agoes Joesoef.
9. Content Analysis
WHERE: Sandrine is originally from Taiwan but currently lives in
Canada. The student who took this photograph is in Indonesia.
WHAT: This photograph is called Reflection of Twilight at the Edge
of Jakarta
WHEN MADE: I am not sure when this photo was originally
taken, but it was uploaded on May 17, 2014 by Sandrine, and
was part of the 2016 Arts Education Week.
WHY S/HE MADE IT: The student wanted to give a work a
meaning that would not diminish the value of the natural
charisma and beauty
HOW MADE: This work was created using photography. It
appears the artist was leaning out the passenger window of a car
and snapped a photo of the sideview mirror, capturing the
reflection.
10. Content Analysis
It seems this artist wants to capture beautiful
moments of everyday, in a sort of snapshot. The
way they framed this image makes it eye
catching, gives it a lot of intrigue. It makes you
hover for a second to figure out what it is you are
looking at, with the stark contrast of the black
against the blues and yellows.
11. Content Analysis
The way this photo is set, and the color palette it
uses makes it feel almost illustrative, as if it were
accompanying some kind of story. Looking at
this image, I am hit with an almost nostalgic
feeling, and I think of my drives that I like to take
at sunset. I think of the purples and oranges
casting down over the dark city, and the stark
difference between the slight twinges of blue still
trying to hold on in the East.
12. Comparative Analysis
I think Second Life allows for people from across the globe
to interact with one another, and to see each others works.
It allows for many different stories to be formed around on
single photo, and allows so many people create their own
narrative. I believe this also ties in with an active learning
style, because you can have a more immersive class time,
and have everything you need at the touch of your
fingertips.
13. Comparative Analysis
Within his writing Pedagogical Applications of Second Life,
Sanchez writes “I say with some confidence that the use of
creativity, reflection, and active learning strategies translate
well into Second Life.” which supports my idea of active
learning being a part of second life. Students have a much
more hands on approach with their learning, and can
sometimes even do things almost completely on their own.
14. Conclusion
I think for future uses of the program, I will get better acquainted at the
beginning, because I was a little rusty and in turn, I had difficulty with
some commands and actions. I also think I will try to be more open with
communication with other avatars, because I think I can learn quite a bit
from those around me. I think collaboration is a large part of being
successful on this program, and will really help you to learn more.
15. References
Boughton, Lisa. “Angelfish Fieldwork Blog.” 10 Moderating Tips to Follow for Successful Focus Groups, 13
Apr. 2016, 03:08, info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/what-is-digital-
ethnography.
Sanchez, Joe, and Jane D. Stimpson. Implementing Second Life: Ideas, Challenges, and Innovations.
ALATechSource, 2009.
