James Pamment, Alexandra Olofsson and Rachel Hjorth-Jenssen
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the communication management of the Swedish and Norwegian Governments during the 2015-2016 refugee crisis. It does so in the context of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the communication management of the Swedish and Norwegian Governments during the 2015-2016 refugee crisis. It does so in the context of recent debates into public diplomacy (PD) and nation branding, on the understanding that governments seek to manage their reputations in order to attract trade, investment and tourism, as well as generate broader interest in their policies and values.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is based upon a case study of each country’s response, and draws upon qualitative interviews and document analysis.
Findings
The study finds that more than a decade of advances in PD can be readily adapted to negative branding aimed at dissuading undesired publics. However, opportunities remain for communication professionals to ensure that brand values are not discarded.
Originality/value
The study is among the first to examine the contemporary PD and nation branding apparatus when it is used to dissuade and even repulse target groups. It therefore explores some important issues related to communication management in the public sector.
Details
Keywords
Anders D. Olofsson, J. Ola Lindberg and Ulf Stödberg
The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of students' meaning‐making processes, as they are part of an e‐assessment practice via written blog posting upon their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an understanding of students' meaning‐making processes, as they are part of an e‐assessment practice via written blog posting upon their own, and their co‐students' performances, presented online through shared video media.
Design/methodology/approach
The research relies on qualitative data to provide an analysis of students' use of the educational technology tool called VoiceThread©. These data were provided by collecting Swedish higher education students' postings and comments in relation to two video clips published in VoiceThread. The formal learning sequence model by Selander together with theories on communication and reflection were used in the analysis.
Findings
The data and the analysis show that shared video media and blogging embrace a potential to facilitate communication and reflection among online higher education students. In addition, the design of the course seems to strengthen the use of formative e‐assessment.
Research limitations/implications
The research reported on in this paper should, preferably, be followed by additional research on educational technology, social software and e‐assessment; informed design of practices of formative e‐assessment; and the role of formative e‐assessment in the facilitating and enhancement of the students' learning and meaning‐making processes.
Practical implications
This paper provides researched‐based ideas of ways in which teachers in online higher education can design their courses, if they want to cultivate the students' communicative and reflective skills.
Originality/value
This paper provides an important insight into the use of shared video media and blogging in online higher education, especially, the way it can be designed for within a formative e‐assessment course approach.
Details
Keywords
Tingting Chung, Stephanie Wilsey, Alexandra Mykita, Elaine Lesgold and Jennifer Bourne
Mobile technologies, such as QR codes, play a particularly important role in scaffolding the child user’s active learning in informal environments. The purpose of this paper is to…
Abstract
Purpose
Mobile technologies, such as QR codes, play a particularly important role in scaffolding the child user’s active learning in informal environments. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of QR code scanning on two informal learning outcomes: increased interest and greater knowledge understanding.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 91 children and their families participated in the study as part of the iQ Zoo Project. Children in both the smartphone group and the control group completed were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively before and then after their zoo visits.
Findings
Qualitative findings suggest that most children’s interest in learning about animals was sustained as a result of the experience. Quantitative results reveal that QR code scanning was effective in promoting knowledge gains, especially on subjects that are challenging for the informal learner. Findings were comparable across the younger (5–8) and older (9–12) age groups.
Originality/value
This study provides empirical support for the value and usefulness of mobile technologies such as QR code scanning for children's learning in informal environments.