The favicon for this website includes my initials “M” and “V” cut out “scrapbook-style” with a pressed flower behind the two letters. I chose this design because the cut-out, scrapbook look of the letters represents the variety of different media and content-types posted on this website, while still giving it a more personal touch with the pressed flowers. The mark of a perfect favicon includes a memorable design that gives website users an idea of the person behind the website. These were important factors for me to consider while designing my favicon.
How Was It Made?
I created this favicon using Canva. As someone who uses Canva almost daily to design media for the Fine Print Club (an on-campus club I am the proud co-president of), I am very familiar with the tools in Canva and the elements that could be used to personalize the design. First, I chose the color of the favicon’s background, and then used the elements feature on Canva’s website to add the initials, text, and pressed flowers image. I did not use a pre-made template to create this, but rather personalized the ratio of the piece and started blank.
File Type
This favicon is a 512×512 px JPEG, the type of file suggested by the WordPress theme. This JPEG is also a raster graphic, with each individual pixel containing its own color.
I created this header to match the favicon of the site as closely as possible. Therefore, I used the same color background, the same color and style of initials, and the pressed flowers in each corner. The only noticeable difference is the pixilation and the “Meaghan Van Dyke Digital Studies” at the bottom. This was added to include the name of the actual site itself in the header.
How Was This Created?
The header, like the favicon, was created using Canva. I chose Canva for both file creations because of my familiarity with the format and the variety of customization options. Similarly to the favicon, I chose the color of the background first, and then layered the initials, subheading, and pressed flowers on top.
File Type
This header is a 2000x300px JPEG file, with the pixilation chosen at the recommendation of the WordPress theme. Since this file is a JPEG, it is a raster graphic.
For my blog banner, I wanted something simple that represented me. In the future, I want my blog to be space where I talk about music, pop culture and share photos. I think these three icons feature what I want my blog to become. For my favicon, I wanted my initials to be incorporated somehow with a simple background. I did black letters for a high contrast against the white background.
The process and software
I made my favicon first, on Canva initially. They have easy, pre-made designs that I customized to fit my aesthetic. I put it on Vectr so I could download the picture with a high resolution. Then on Vectr, I created my banner. I had a hard time trying to get other designs to fit properly. So I opted to do a simple three icon design that fits what I will put on this website. Vectr has simple irons to choose from, so I just picked some of those to add to my banner.
What file types
For my favicon, I initially downloaded it on Canva as a PNG, and then went to Vectr to download it as a JPEG. For my banner, since I created it on Vectr, I downloaded it originally as a JPEG. The reason I chose to download them as I did was because that was how the website recommended. Vectr doesn’t let you choose a different file type without buying the premium version.
I understand that copyright is where all right are reserved. One needs permission to use one’s owns work. As I reflect on it, copyright and attribution is a way individuals get credit for their work. The reason why I chose the copyright because it allows others to use, edit, and remix my website.
How do you use copyright ethically
By using copyright ethically ask for permission to use the work or give credit to the one who owns the work.
After reading and learning more on copyright, I now know why some people chose to copyright their work, and others don’t. I learned all about different types of copyright and the different forms of access. It’s also important to give credit where it’s due. Or even attribution if credit isn’t specified. I think it’s important to educate yourself and know about how to identify if media is copyrighted or not. It’s also important to know where you can find free use media so you know where to find copyright free media every time you need it.
Why I chose my copyright
For my copyright, I chose to let other people post my work elsewhere, with credit. People can also use my work for commercial purposes. But, in unadapted form. Which means they can’t change or remix my work. I chose this copyright because I don’t mind people using my work as long as they give proper credit.
Ethically using others work
Why is it important?
Copyright is so important for many reasons. People work really hard to take photos, videos, and produce media for us to consume. If they don’t want their work to be used they absolutely have the right to refuse anyone to use or recycle variations of their work. If they require credit-give it!
In today’s digital world, open access to creative work is as important as ever. However, to prevent the recycling or stealing of artists’ original work, it is important to provide guidelines and restrictions in order to protect work and encourage new creations. Many creators choose to use standard copyright laws that require individuals to seek a license in order to use their work, but many others may also choose to other methods, such as publishing a work directly to the public domain or simply requiring attribution when a work is distributed.
How Is This Site Protected?
For this site, I chose to use CC BY 4.0, or a type of copyright that requires attribution. Essentially, if someone wanted to use the work on the site for remixes, adaptations, or distributions, I would simply just have to be attributed. I chose this option because I would still be credited for my original work while still allowing others to build upon it or distribute it with less restrictions, something I believe is very important in the creative process.
When using the works of others, it is important to educate yourself on copyright restrictions, especially the copyright license attributed to the specific work. While encouraging creativity based on the work of others is a very important part of the creative process, it’s important to make sure the efforts of others and the structure of their original work is recognized by using the proper licensing and attribution. For more information, visit the Creative Commons Website.
Who I want to be on the web is very important and I have taken some time this past week despite the tight work, school and family life schedule to think through who I want to become on the web. I have been thinking through some key questions like who am I in real life? I have been asking colleagues who know me very well at work, church and community organizations some of the way they would characterize me. This is because the way they know me in real life should be the same way they should know me on the web.
Who am I in real life to my colleagues and community?
Who am I in real life to colleagues? Colleagues know me as very observant and introverted. I am very careful but hard working, proactive and do not rush into taking decisions or actions. I like helping people and volunteering for community services. I like family values and principles that help with a cohesive family. I have experience in raising a family and have counselled and trained others in family leadership. I also like giving advice to others and helping them handle conflicts in relationships. If this is how colleagues know me then I could allocate some time to help my community and colleagues with my website posts.
Who do I hope to be on the web?
I would like to maintain the same image I have in real life and not a different image online, because I want to portray who I am in real life on the web. Character speaks volume, and my web identity matter. People should relate to me in a way that reflects the real me online and not a different person. According to an article on Social Media: Online Persona by Dickinson University, maintaining the same identity in real life and on the web would help to validate my identity, associate my virtual identity with real life identity and help my colleagues and community to understand me more “holistically”.
Why I chose the StarBeth domain name
I chose my domain name StarBeth because it has my first name, and I love seeing stars in the sky on a clear night. Stars point me to how far we could go. No limits to benefits I could provide to colleagues on the web. I would like to share my thoughts and experience in family leadership. For example, how to assume different roles in the family. How to create and maintain a strong family. How to resolve family conflicts, How to discuss and come up with family values that would be of value in the workplace, school, market place and make one a good citizen. I would like to share these family leadership issues and topics with the people I relate with online just as I do in real life by offering relevant insights, counseling, connecting them with books, audios and youtube, tiktok etc materials on family leadership, relationships and family life. I also plan to use my site to document my cooking hobby, to do some online shopping, and to connect with others that have similar interests. I am glad this course has provided me with the skill to transfer the benefits that I have been providing in real life to colleagues and my community on the web too.
In this module, we discussed the importance of choosing a unique name that can be carried with you after school. To create a good domain name, you have to consider both the length and specificity of your domain. A memorable domain name is a shorter one. For our course specifically, it is also important not to choose an overall domain name that isn’t too specific to the course. While the subdomain can be more specific, the main domain is something that can be carried with you after the class and changed with you, so it shouldn’t be so specific it is rendered unusable after we leave the class.
The meaghanvandyke.com Story
I chose this domain simply because it’s my name! I wanted the domain name to reflect my work when it was published and be something I could carry with me after Mary Washington, so choosing my own name could both guarantee memorability and longevity for the site.
Personal Online Identity
How Will This Domain Be Used?
While this sub domain is specific to posting about digital studies projects, Domain of One’s Own is designed to last after my time at Mary Washington. After graduation, I plan to use this domain to build my own online portfolio as a writer, like many professional writers do to their own portfolios. A great example of this is novelist Rachel Lippincott’s website, whose organizational layout is something that can be mimicked through Domain of One’s Own’s tools and applications. I chose WordPress as an application for both my main domain and my subdomain because it is easy to navigate and used most commonly in our digital studies class.
I wanted my name to be apart of my domain name, since it’s my domain. I didn’t want my full first name linked to it, so I decided to go with just the initial and full last name. For my subdomain, I just added dgst101 to the front to differentiate between my dgst class subdomain, and my main domain.
How?
I took the first initial from my first and middle name, and put it next to my last name. I knew my last name would be available without the initials, but I wanted my domain name to be a little more unique than just my last name.
Why domain names are important
Why?
Having a unique and easy to remember domain name is crucial to building your brand on the internet. If it’s just your name, it helps people find your domain easier, which helps get your name out the door. Creating a domain name tied to your brand or what you want to put out in the world is a great start to connect your ideas to the public. To read more about the importance of domain names, go to “The Importance of The Domain Name for Your Online Business.”
False information can spread rapidly online, with there being multiple methods out there. Clickbait being the main one. Clickbait refers to misleading headlines and thumbnails on a specific content to entice the viewer to click on it. When misinformation on specific content gains media traction, it usually spreads rapidly due to the lack of review by the people. If one person decides to post some information that is factually incorrect, others may repost it thinking that it is the correct thing without actually fact checking it. Social media doesn’t good a job with helping this, as the algorithm is indented to push out information if the post is on-topic about something trending.
Impact of AI on Misinformation and Disinformation on the Web
AI has been around for a long time, but it is now getting more creative by the day. AI has greatly impacted the community and introduce some highs but a lot of lows. In terms of misinformation and disinformation, AI has become a double edge sword. On one hand, it can supply you with wonderful tools that can help you in problem-solving and can come to you in efficient pace. And on the other hand, depending on what you want it to compute, it can come up with convincing fake content in seconds. Similar to what we call hallucinations and can occur when an AI tool generates responses that are inaccurate or completely fabricated. AI tools don’t “think” they just generate content based off whatever prompt is given and predicts likely responses based on its training data. For example, ChatGPT, generates words from articles and web searches and gives it an outcome based off the prompt, The information it is pulling from can still be wrong.
Interaction with Microsoft’s Copilot
I chose this title because half of it was what the AI Suggested from the and the other half of it is a saying that I say a lot and I feel like it fits in perfectly with this.
You Sent by you: Hello, Copilot, how was your day? Copilot Sent by Copilot: Hello! My day has been great, thanks for asking. How about yours? Anything exciting or interesting happening?
You Sent by you: I am making a blog/post about ai, care to give me a few title ideas you have in mind. It's about Media Literacy and AI, and I cover topics about false and inaccurate information on the web and the impact of AI on misinformation and disinformation on the web Copilot Sent by Copilot: That sounds like a fascinating and timely topic! Here are a few ideas you might consider for your blog post:
1. Navigating the Digital Age: Understanding Misinformation vs. Disinformation 2. The Role of AI in Spreading False Information Generative AI 3. AI in Detecting and Combating Misinformation AI Tools for Verification 4. Ethical Considerations and Challenges Bias in AI 5. Media Literacy in the Age of AI Educational Initiatives Practical Tips 6. Future Trends and Predictions Evolving AI Technologies
Would you like more titles on any of these topics or help with structuring your post?
You Sent by you: I like all of them, but I want more options, care to give me some more? Copilot Sent by Copilot: I’m glad you liked those ideas! Here are a few more to consider:
7. AI and Social Media Algorithms 8. AI in Journalism 9. Psychological Impact of Misinformation 10. AI and Public Policy 11. Case Studies of AI-Driven Misinformation Campaigns 12. The Role of Big Data in Misinformation 13. AI and the Future of Media Literacy Education 14. Community-Based Approaches to Combat Misinformation
Feel free to mix and match these titles or let me know if you need details for any topics!
You Sent by you: Thank you so much. I found a title I was looking for. Copilot Sent by Copilot: That’s fantastic to hear! I’m glad I could help. If you need any more assistance with your blog post, whether it’s more ideas, structuring your content, or anything else, feel free to ask. Good luck with your writing! 📚✨
You Sent by you: I appreciate it. Have a great day! Copilot Sent by Copilot: You’re very welcome! I’m glad I could help. Have a wonderful day, and happy writing! 😊✍️
You Sent by you: You too! Copilot Sent by Copilot: Thank you! Take care and have an awesome day! 😊👋
You Sent by you: Actually, one quick question, thoughts and feelings about AI? Copilot Sent by Copilot: As an AI, I don’t have personal thoughts or feelings, but I can share some insights on the topic!
Thoughts on AI: Potential: AI has the potential to revolutionize many fields, from healthcare and education to entertainment and transportation. It can help solve complex problems, improve efficiency, and create new opportunities. Challenges: There are also significant challenges, such as ethical considerations, privacy concerns, and the need for robust regulations to ensure AI is used responsibly. Future: The future of AI is exciting, with ongoing advancements in machine learning, natural language processing, and robotics. These developments could lead to even more innovative applications and solutions. Feelings about AI: While I don’t have feelings, I understand that people have a wide range of emotions about AI. Some are excited about its potential, while others are concerned about its impact on jobs, privacy, and society. It’s important to have open discussions and consider diverse perspectives to navigate these changes effectively. If you have any specific questions or need more information, feel free to ask!
You Sent by you: Interesting. Thanks Copilot Sent by Copilot: You’re welcome! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out. Have a great day! 😊
False information spreads like wildfire on the internet and across social media. A single sample of false information getting posted on the internet can cause a chain reaction of reposts and new posts/comments spreading the information very quickly. Social media algorithms are also not great at filtering out false information, so it is also spread through many different algorithms. False information on social media is rampant today, and it’s effects can be dangerous.
AI’s impact on False information
False information has been more difficult to find due to AI. AI tries to help by providing answers to questions or commands, but it has trouble filtering out accurate information and misinformation. This can lead to more false information being spread and makes it easier to find misinformation throughout the internet. This leads to people unknowingly spreading false information across the internet believing it is true, making it more difficult to find out what is true or not and breaking the trust of internet users for information that might also be true. The increased use of the internet makes it difficult to use fact checking verification methods and validate accurate information.
You Sent by you: Give me an interesting title for a blog on false information being spread on the internet Copilot Sent by Copilot: How about this for a title: “Navigating the Web of Lies: Unmasking False Information on the Internet”?
Does that capture the essence of what you’re looking for?
You Sent by you: Hmm, not quite. How about something shorter? Copilot Sent by Copilot: How about this: “Debunking Digital Deception”?
Does that hit the mark?
You Sent by you: maybe try something else Copilot Sent by Copilot: Sure, how about “Internet Myths: Exposing the Truth”?
Does this one resonate with you?
You Sent by you: Try a title focusing on false inforamtion a bit longer Copilot Sent by Copilot: How about this: “Unraveling the Web: The Impact and Spread of False Information Online”?
Does this align better with what you’re looking for?
You Sent by you: Yes I like that one Copilot Sent by Copilot: Great! I’m glad you like it. If you need any more help with your blog, feel free to ask. Happy writing! 📚✨
