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Final Assignment of CEID-100

Visual Culture Online - CEID 100

CEID100: Digital Skills and Innovation Final Project Digital Collaboration and Visual Culture Online Matt Troisi, 501031489 Ved Patel, 50117

Excited to share our final group project for CEID100!

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An Open Letter to the Future: Building a Better Digital World

Dear Future Digital Users,

It is evident by considering the digital path of the previous ten years that technology is changing quicker than ever. Along with this change comes a responsibility: we must make sure the digital world we build is sustainable, inclusive, and moral. I have developed a better awareness of the possibilities and difficulties defining our digital age over the last ten weeks; today, I see a future moulded by purpose and creativity.

Our lives might be changed by emerging technologies like blockchain, 5G, and the Internet of Things (IoT). More than just cryptocurrencies, blockchain provides ethical supply chains, decentralized identity management, and safe, open voting systems. These fixes may help us fight dishonesty and build institutional trust.

The introduction of 5G provides the infrastructure to enable real-time innovation. From remote surgery to immersive virtual schooling, 5G will help reduce the digital divide—a major topic covered in our course. But accessibility needs digital literacy instruction so that everyone may securely and effectively interact with technology.

We have to give cybersecurity first priority as we install IoT devices in cities, households, and hospitals. Our personal data will be flowing continuously, so safeguarding it calls not only for cutting-edge technologies but also for robust laws driven by data ethics. Organizations ought to respect consumer privacy and guarantee openness on data use.

We also discussed the perils of algorithmic bias throughout the course. From employment to financing, as artificial intelligence permeates decision-making, we have to create systems that are equitable, inclusive, and responsible. Technology should empower not discriminate.

At last, cloud computing will remain essential for enabling sustainable, scalable digital infrastructure. Still, we have to make sure it's utilized sensibly, with regard for data sovereignty and environmental effect.

Our digital future is one we will shape. Let us be ethical leaders, critical thinkers, and deliberate innovators. Let's choose technology that uplifts mankind, closes gaps, and solves difficulties. Working together, we can create a digital environment fit for everyone, not just the strong.

Sincere, Ved Patel

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Completed "Learn to Code with Blockly" – My First Step Into Programming 🧠💻

This week, I took on the challenge of learning a new programming skill as part of Module 10. I chose the “Learn to Code with Blockly” course on Codecademy—and I’m happy to share that I completed it 100%! 🎉

Over the course of 2 hours and 15 minutes, I worked through a series of interactive lessons that covered:

Using movement commands to solve logic puzzles

Working with variables (including Boolean variables like game_over = true)

Creating and calling functions

Writing conditional logic with if, else if, and else statements

Navigating mazes and completing challenges using limited block logic (which really made me think!)

One of the most rewarding parts was using minimal blocks to reach goals—strategically thinking through every move before placing a block. It felt a lot like solving a visual riddle.

This course showed me that coding doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Blockly helped me grasp core programming concepts visually, making it both approachable and fun for a beginner like me. I now feel much more confident moving into more advanced topics in coding!

🧩 Takeaway: Programming is more about logic and creativity than just typing code—anyone can start, and Blocky is an awesome entry point. PS: Find the attached Screenshot for the progress.

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AI-Powered Mental Health First Aid for Remote Workers

In a world where working remotely has become commonplace, a new problem has arisen: how can we care for our people when we are unable to see them?

We are rethinking emotional support for remote workers at our firm, MindMesh, by using artificial intelligence to provide real-time mental health first aid. There is now a greater chance of loneliness, burnout, and invisible stress as flexibility and autonomy have increased. We provide a proactive solution, unlike traditional check-ins, which are reactive.

Popular office technologies like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Slack are easily integrated with our platform. Consent and privacy are always at the centre of our AI's study of tone, language, and communication patterns via sentiment analysis and natural language processing (NLP). In order to detect early indicators of emotional exhaustion or discomfort, we create a dynamic well-being score by analyzing this constant stream of interactions at work.

Big data powers this system, enabling behavioural change detection throughout the workplace as well as metrics for engagement and communication frequency. It suggests tailored micro-interventions such as breathing techniques, brief rest periods, and, where required, referrals to expert mental health care in addition to identifying problems.

We've used blockchain technology to protect personal information and guarantee transparency. A decentralized ledger is used to store, anonymize, and encrypt all interactions related to emotional wellness. In addition to fostering trust, this enables leadership or HR to track broader health trends without accessing individual data.

If you plan for empathy, we believe it can scale. We're building workplaces where everyone, regardless of where they log in from, feels seen, heard, and supported by combining blockchain, AI, and big data.

It's more than simply technology. Scaled care is what it is.

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🚀 How Netflix Drives Innovation in the Digital Economy 🎬📱

Netflix has reshaped the entertainment industry through cutting-edge technology, data-driven decisions, and a unique business model. This infographic highlights five key areas where Netflix continues to lead in digital innovation:

✅ AI-driven content recommendations ✅ Disruptive shift from DVD rentals to streaming ✅ Subscription-based revenue model ✅ Seamless, ad-free user experience ✅ Expanding into gaming and AI-powered content

Netflix remains a pioneer in the streaming industry, setting the standard for digital content delivery worldwide. What do you think—is Netflix still leading the way, or are competitors catching up? Let’s discuss!

📌 Check out the full infographic!!

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Cybersecurity Lessons from the Nova Cybersecurity Lab Game

Playing the Nova Cybersecurity Lab Game provided a hands-on experience in understanding key cybersecurity principles, particularly password security, social engineering, and network protection. The game highlighted real-world scenarios where poor security choices can lead to cyberattacks, reinforcing important lessons from our coursework.

One key takeaway was the importance of strong passwords. The game demonstrated how easily weak passwords can be cracked using brute-force attacks. This aligns with best practices in cybersecurity, which emphasize using complex passwords, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and password managers to enhance security.

Another major lesson involved social engineering threats, particularly phishing attacks. The game showed how hackers manipulate users into revealing sensitive information through deceptive messages. This reinforces the importance of verifying emails, avoiding suspicious links, and staying cautious online, as emphasized in our course.

Lastly, the game underscored the importance of network security. A simulated cyberattack demonstrated how viruses and ransomware can compromise an entire system. The game emphasized using firewalls, antivirus software, and secure backups to protect data—practices that align with real-world cybersecurity strategies.

Overall, the Nova Cybersecurity Lab Game effectively demonstrated the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures in protecting personal and organizational data. (Screenshots attached below).

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The Spread of Disinformation, Misinformation, and Mal-information Online

Introduction

Every day, we are exposed to vast amounts of information on social media, news websites, and blogs. While some of this information is accurate and reliable, much of it is misleading or even deliberately false. Understanding the difference between disinformation, misinformation, and mal-information is essential for developing strong media literacy skills and avoiding the spread of harmful content.

Disinformation – False content created with the intent to deceive.

Misinformation – False or misleading content shared by mistake.

Mal-information – True content that is used unethically to harm someone.

Below are three real-world examples that illustrate each type, along with explanations on how to identify them.

Example 1: Disinformation – Fake News That Misleads

🔗 Wikipedia Death Hoax

Death hoaxes, which falsely assert that a celebrity has passed away, are a prevalent kind of false information. To increase their authenticity, these tales often employ altered images and fake news headlines. Well-known examples include the rumours that Paul McCartney had passed away and that a doppelgänger had been recruited to replace him. False stories spread swiftly, leaving fans feeling very unsure and afraid.

Since the narrative was written with the goal of misleading people, this is false information. Popular social media material and attention-grabbing headlines are used by many dishonest news websites to attract visitors and encourage interaction.

💡 How to spot disinformation: ✔ Always check reputable news sources (CNN, BBC, Reuters). ✔ Look for fact-checking reports from websites like Snopes or Politifact. ✔ Be skeptical of clickbait-style headlines that seem too shocking to be true.

Example 2: Misinformation – False Information Shared by Mistake

🔗 NCBI Health Misinformation Study

Misinformation about health quickly disseminated online during the COVID-19 outbreak. The idea that consuming hot water may prevent illness was one of the most frequently circulated myths. A lot of individuals thought this knowledge was accurate and spread it, but scientific research disproved it as useless.

Because its propagators thought it was accurate and want to assist others, they did not aim to mislead anybody, making it an example of disinformation. Nonetheless, false information may be harmful, particularly when it contains health-related suggestions that can cause individuals to disregard expert medical advice.

💡 How to spot misinformation: ✔ Verify health claims with official sources like the WHO or CDC. ✔ Be cautious of posts that rely on personal stories instead of scientific studies. ✔ Cross-check information before sharing it.

Example 3: Mal-information – True Information Used to Harm

🔗 Cambridge Analytica Scandal (BBC News)

Not all damaging internet material is untrue; sometimes, legitimate information is abused to control others. Mal-information is shown by the Cambridge Analytica affair, in which personal Facebook user information was obtained without permission and used to influence political campaigns.

The fact that the material was authentic but was unethically gathered and disseminated to influence votes and public opinion makes this misinformation. In contrast to misinformation, which is unintentionally wrong, or disinformation, which is purposefully misleading, mal-information is truth that is used unethically.

💡 How to recognize mal-information:✔ Ask: Why is this information being leaked? Does it inform or manipulate? ✔ Be aware of privacy violations and unethical data sharing. ✔ Consider the motives behind the exposure of private information.

Conclusion: Think Before You Share

We see the world differently as a result of misinformation, malinformation, and disinformation, which affects our judgments and choices. It is more crucial than ever to be skeptical of the information we post and consume online due to the quick dissemination of inaccurate or misleading material.

Next time you come across shocking or controversial content, take a moment to ask: ✔ Is this coming from a credible source?✔ Can I verify this claim with multiple trusted outlets?✔ Am I being manipulated into an emotional reaction?

By questioning the information we encounter online, we can reduce the spread of false or harmful content and promote responsible digital behavior.

📢 Have you ever encountered disinformation, misinformation, or mal-information online? Share your thoughts in the comments!

References:

Kleinman, B. Z. (2018, March 21). Cambridge Analytica: The story so far. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-43465968 

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, February 12). Death hoax. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_hoax#:~:text=Possibly%20the%20most%20famous%20hoax,replaced%20by%20a%20look%2Dalike.

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CEID100 Project Proposal Ved Patel: 501176276 Ananya Sharma: 501190981 Troisi Matt:

Intro Medium Chosen Why Prezi for This Presentation? Visual Culture Online: An Educational Approach Medium used in final project CEID100 - D

Hey everyone! Our team has put together an insightful Prezi presentation on Visual Culture Online, where we explore on the topic and analyze its key aspects in an engaging way.

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Tracking the Trackers: Analyzing Online Advertising and Data Collection

In this post, I dive into the hidden world of online tracking using the Disconnect browser extension. After visiting eight different websites—covering civic, e-commerce, news, and social media—I discovered that Amazon had the highest number of trackers! This finding highlights how major e-commerce platforms rely heavily on advertising networks, data collection, and personalized marketing to optimize their business.

I analyze the privacy implications of excessive tracking, discuss why companies like Amazon need so much user data, and reflect on how this impacts the average internet user.

Check out my findings, a screenshot of Amazon's tracking data, and a discussion on whether an ad-supported internet is sustainable in the long run.

Website URL: 

Government Of Canada 

Wealth Health Organization

Amazon.ca

Ebay.ca

CBC News  

New York Times

Twitter.com

Facebook  

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Review of Chapter 1: US History II: Gilded Age to Present

This week, I explored the concept of web accessibility by analyzing Chapter 1 of U.S. History using the Hypothes.is annotation tool. The goal was to identify good and bad practices related to accessibility, as outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and our course material. Below is a summary of the findings from my annotations.

Here are some annotation I observed.

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An Eventful Day: G License Success and a Memorable Night Ride

The day began with a journey to Lindsay for my G license test. The roads were lined with fresh snow, and the trees stood dusted in white, creating a serene and picturesque winter scene. Driving through this calm landscape gave me a moment to gather my thoughts and focus on the task ahead. The test itself was a mix of nerves and excitement, but all the effort paid off when I successfully passed! Achieving my G license felt like a significant milestone, a moment of pride and relief that made the day extra special.

Later in the evening, it was time to celebrate, and what better way than a ride in my friend’s newly decorated car? The car was transformed with vibrant LED lighting that gave the interior a stunning, futuristic glow. Every detail added to the atmosphere, from the glowing dashboard to the cool blue lights on the floor. It felt like stepping into a completely different world.

We set out for a ride under the night sky, enjoying the peaceful roads and the cozy vibe inside the car. The music added to the mood, making the drive even more relaxing and fun. It was a simple yet memorable experience, a perfect mix of good company, a cool atmosphere, and the thrill of celebrating an achievement.

From starting the day with a big milestone to ending it with an enjoyable ride, this day reminded me how fulfilling it feels to balance hard work and simple joys.