The pros and cons of young children using digital technologies for learning and the ability of video game fans to influence the future of gaming will be two of the hot topics presented in bite-sized talks on the final day of the University of the Sunshine Coast’s Research Conference tomorrow.
 
The entertaining, timed speaking competitions will run at the USC Innovation Centre on Thursday 14 July from 10.15am to noon.
 
Seven research students will contest the Three Minute Thesis event, an annual highlight of the research conference, this year themed ‘Local Research, Global Impact’.
 
PhD Science student Vicki Schriever, a former teacher who is also an Associate Lecturer at USC, will have three minutes to talk on her subject: “Embrace, Accept or Resist: Early childhood educators and their changing roles with information communication technologies.”
 
Ms Schriever of Wurtulla is investigating the decision-making of educators. She said early findings indicated that personal beliefs had significant impact on their use of technologies, and that some educators believed technologies were responsible for speech and behavioural issues.
 
PhD Social Science student Jacqueline Burgess will discuss fan activism in the world of video games.
 
“These games are now capable of creating strong emotional connections between players and the characters and worlds depicted within them,” said Ms Burgess of Sunrise Beach.
 
“When sequels fail to live up to players’ expectations, for example Mass Effect 3, the fans are not afraid to voice their displeasure and force change.”
 
Fourteen research staff will do battle in ‘A Minute To Win It’ from 11.15am, where they must convey their ideas in informal, amusing ways.
 
Their topics will range from coastal ecosystems to childhood play to diagnosing disease.
 
For details go to 2016 University Research Conference.