Category: Assignment 1 – Blog post and comment

Experience with ChatGPT

AI applications have become powerful tools in study and work. I used ChatGPT in many activities like grammar improvements and language translating, but my most notable experience was when I received a parking ticket for exceeding a 1-hour parking limit, although I was certain that there were no signs indicating such a 1-hour restriction. To address this ticket, I turned to ChatGPT to help me draft a dispute email to the District of Oak Bay.

The email written with the assistance of ChatGPT was exceptional in its clarity and logic. It presented my argument in a structured manner, using precise language and incorporating clear evidence to support my case. This well-constructed email played a crucial role in my successful dispute over the parking ticket, demonstrating the practical utility of AI in navigating everyday challenges.

So far, ChatGPT is the primary AI application I have experience with. Its ability to understand and generate natural language has proven extremely useful, particularly in situations requiring detailed written communication.

(Above pictures are the email I used to send district of Oak Bay)

Use ChatGPT to generate Graph

It has been observed that when a photograph is inputted into ChatGPT with a request to generate a graph based on the visual data, the tool does not produce a graph. This is due to ChatGPT’s design, which primarily processes and responds to textual input rather than visual data. However, when provided with textual descriptions or information, ChatGPT demonstrates the capability to generate text-based graphs. This underscores ChatGPT’s proficiency in handling and responding to textual data while highlighting its limitations in direct image processing.

I first inputted a photo of my cat and asked ChatGPT to generate a similar graph. Obiously, It failed.

Therefore, I inputted the photo of my cat and asked ChatGPT to describe what the photo looks like, then use the description to generate a cat’s graph.

Finally, I got the following graph,

While ChatGPT can generate images based on textual descriptions, there is still room for improvement in terms of accuracy as specific characteristics might not always be fully captured compared to the original photograph.

(OpenAI, 2023)

Pros and Cons of AI

Pros:

• AI has significantly contributed to the convenience of human life. For instance, AI’s application in healthcare has already benefited the public; it can analyze vast amounts of data in a short time, accurately diagnose conditions, and identify the best treatment plans. In the realm of autonomous driving, AI not only alleviates human burden but also substantially reduces the rate of accidents.
• AI propels societal advancement. With the application of AI, industries have seen a significant increase in production efficiency, liberating humans from repetitive, menial tasks and high-risk occupations. This liberation affords people more freedom of choice, allowing them to devote their energy to more meaningful pursuits.

Cons:

• As AI robots become more widespread, industries that rely on physical labor are at risk of experiencing large-scale unemployment. AI robots do not make mistakes, do not tire, do not require rest, and do not need wages, making them fully capable of performing most tasks.
• The advancement of AI poses a potential grave threat to human society, and we must be vigilant about the rise of AI. Stephen Hawking once said, “The development of full AI could spell the end of the human race.” Without active intervention and guidance in the development of AI, it might completely replace human society, rendering humans obsolete in an AI-dominated world.

Reference

OpenAI. (2023, Nov. 24). [ChatGPT response to generate the graph]. https://chat.openai.com/

Interactive Videos

(Multiple Choice Question Shown at 2:38)

Learning Plan

Overview

In this lesson, we will explore the economic housing models of homeless people, explaining the choices individuals make when faced with limited funds and government housing policies. The importance of this topic lies in its ability to demonstrate how well-intentioned policies might inadvertently contribute to the problem of homelessness, suggesting that improvements in housing policies could provide practical solutions to homeless people. We will also present a real-world study conducted by the University of British Columbia, which gives cash directly to homeless people. This research provides evidence of the effectiveness of such cash transfers in reducing days being homelessness and achieving government-spent savings. However, it also notes the limitations in improving overall well-being. Overall, we first provide a theoretical framework to understand the choices and policies affecting homelessness, and then offer empirical evidence on how cash transfers would mitigate the issue of homelessness.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson you will be able to: 

• Understand the Economic Model of Homelessness, and know how this model explains the choices made by homeless individuals, such as the trade-off between housing and other necessities.
• Understand the unintended consequences of well-meaning housing policies such as minimum dwelling size requirements.
• Recognize the function and limitations of charitable shelters in providing temporary relief to homeless individuals.
• Know the outcomes of a real-world study conducted by UBC that used cash transfers as a potential solution to homelessness.
• Understand the concept of cash transfers as a dignified method of aid for those experiencing homelessness.
• Propose ideas and recommendations based on the lesson’s content for addressing homelessness more effectively through policy changes and social interventions.

Read/Watch

–Lectures on Urban Economics by Jan Brueckner – 7.4 Homelessness and Policies to Correct It

–We gave $7,500 to people experiencing homelessness – A real research about housing supply for homeless people done by UBC

–UBC study: What happens when you give homeless people $7,500? – (1 min) – A video from Global News

Content

For further analysis of the homelessness housing policies, we first denoted:

• q = housing consumption, which also is q = y/p – c/p
• c = consumption of everything else
• p = price per unit of housing
• y = income of the low-income household
• Budget constraint is c+pq = y

We start analyzing the model with the following graph,

The homeless person maximizes utility subject to a budget constraint, thus the highest indifference curve must touch budget line at bottom, where q=0. We can also see from the graph that the steep indifference curve indicated the consumer is very reluctant to give up c. They require a lot of q to give up a little c.

The reluctance is mainly due to alcohol, drugs, and mental illness, indicating the housing consumption is a much lower priority compared to getting enough food.

Let’s consider how a Proportional Rent Subsidy Program will affect the homelessness.

Under the Proportional Rent Subsidy Program, the government pays a potion of the household’s rent. However, the consumers have the same income to devote to c if they did not spend on housing, so the intercept at y does not change. Thus the budget constraint rotates upward. Now we can see the highest indifference curve is tangent to the budget constraint at a point where q>0.

What if there are limitations stipulate by housing regulations such as minimum dwelling size requirements?

When housing regulations require a min q, the dashed line is not attainable. They only gives the homeless person two options, consume qmin or q=0. The second option is on a higher indifference curve, so consumer choose to be homeless.

What if a charitable organization provide shelter to address homelessness? If they provide shelter at zero cost, the consumer can consume point S on the above figure.

Application

• Learners can engage in policy development by using their understanding of economic models and empirical research to advocate for changes in housing regulations, accommodating the housing needs of low-income individuals.
• Learners can organize workshops or create informational campaigns that highlight successful outcomes such as direct financial assistance.

Reflection

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of provding shelter to address homeless people? Why do some of the homelessness not use charitable shelters even the cost is zero?
• How do economic models help us understand the decision-making process of individuals who are homeless?
• What are the potential risks and benefits of reducing housing regulations, such as minimum dwelling sizes?
• What are the long-term social costs of not addressing the affordability of housing?
• How might the findings from the UBC cash transfer study influence future policies and programs aimed at reducing homelessness?
• How can we ensure that well-intentioned assistance programs do not have unintended negative effects on the homeless population?

To Do List

• Answer one or two questions in reflection.
• Review the economic model of homelessness, and write down the reason for the rotation of indifference curves when the PRS program implemented to homelessness.
• Present how government policies might inadvertently contribute to homelessness.
• Compare and contrast the theoretical models discussed in the content with the empirical findings in the UBC study.
• Discuss how new insights into housing supply might influence future policies or personal perspectives.

Reference

• Brueckner, J. K. (2011, September 9). Lectures on Urban Economics. MIT Press.

• We gave $7,500 to people experiencing homelessness — here’s what happened next – UBC Department of Psychology. (n.d.). UBC Department of Psychology. https://psych.ubc.ca/news/cash-transfers-to-people-experiencing-homelessness

• Global NEWS. (n.d.). Retrieved November 22, 2023, from https://globalnews.ca/news/9933830/give-bc-homeless-people-7500-study/

Merrill’s Principles of Instruction

I would like to use Merrill’s Principles of Instruction to design a lesson around the research result of visualization of 3D time series data on a 2D map to effectively show the spread of a virus. The lesson will be centered around a real-world problem – understanding and visualizing the spread of a virus. This is particularly relevant in the context of global health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. It addresses the need for an understanding of epidemiological data.

I used Python to write a function to show how 3D time series data can be plotted on a 2D map. Though Python isn’t interactive, we can design our own 3D time series function to show the visualizations of data.

I would also like to create tutorial videos showing the Python scripting process and how it translates data into visualization. Summarizing key steps to control the 3D time series data function is extremely important to process real-world data sets.

Sir Isaac Newton and the Falling Apple

Sir Isaac Newton and the Falling Apple is one of the most famous stories in physics study, which brought me a meaningful learning experience. This well-known narrative tells how Newton was sitting under an apple tree, and an apple fell on his head, leading him to question why it fell straight down and not in any other direction. This simple observation and subsequent contemplation supposedly led him to formulate the laws of motion and the universal law of gravitation, Particularly, the story helped me to keep the First Law in mind, which tells people an object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force.

What made this story so impactful for me was its simplicity and the profound discovery. It showcased that great scientific revelations don’t necessarily come from complex experiments but can stem from normal observations if approached with a curious mind.

The story appealed to my visual sense, as I could easily picture the scene of Newton sitting under the apple tree. The tactile sensation of an apple hitting his head also made the story more vivid.

Looking back to the storytelling techniques reviewed this week, the Newton story clearly utilizes the power of visualization, with elements like the apple tree and the falling apple. It also taps into emotions – the surprise of the apple’s sudden drop. Finally, the story use ‘End with a positive takeaway’ techniques embodies the idea that monumental insights can be born from simple, everyday experiences, making the learning memorable and inspiring. The fact that such a transformative concept gravity was understood from such a basic observation, giving hope to learners like myself, that we may one day stumble upon our own apple.

7 Storytelling Techniques

In my video, I introduced my research experience on 3D Time Series Visualization on 2D Map. I have instinctively used ‘Immerse your audience in the story’, ‘Tell a personal story’, and ‘Show Don’t tell.’ storytelling techniques. I did this at the beginning of the research project story, introducing the background and drawing the audience into the narrative. I started by telling my audience why I wanted to do the research project and how I gained the research opportunity. This means creating an environment where listeners can visualize and feel the story as though they’re experiencing it firsthand. I used rich descriptive language and sensory details to paint a vivid picture of the day I was offered the research assistant position, allowing the audience to step into my story. By speaking from the heart to share my real-life example, I used emotions and reflections to connect on a personal level with the audience. Furthermore, I showed the audience my research results rather than just telling them. I showed the 3D time series cylinder moving on the 2D BC map, which shows the COVID-19 cases spread situation in BC, making my narratives more vivid and memorable.

However, I need to work more on creating suspense and building up to a S.T.A.R. moment. I should involve crafting my narrative in a way that keeps my audience eager to know what happens next, building tension and anticipation. For example, I should not tell my audience if the research sucessed or failed.In the future, I won’t reveal everything at once.I will give bits of information gradually to keep the audience curious. I should also create the “Something They’ll Always Remember” moment, leaving a lasting impression in my narrative.

All 7 Storytelling Techniques are crucial, once we successfully apply these techniques, we will be enhancing the depth and engagement of our stories, creating memorable narratives that resonate with our audience.

Creating Story by Using Twine

This is a science fiction story, telling a brilliant financial math graduate student from Canada who finds himself inexplicably transported back to his high school days in China. Presented with a rare second chance, he grapples with decisions that could redefine his destiny. Will he tread the familiar path or take an entirely different turn?

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Intuitive and Surprising Principles of Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning

There is no doubt that the principles outlined in the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML) help to bring an effective approach to designing instructional materials in a way that caters to the diverse cognitive processing capabilities of learners.

For me, the redundancy principle is the most intuitive one, because it aligns with the everyday understanding that repetition of the same information through multiple channels might not only be unnecessary but could also be distracting.

On the flip side, the Dual Coding Theory is a surprising and fascinating theory. It’s my first time knowing the existence of two separate but complementary systems in our brain dedicated to processing verbal and visual information. We can improve academics’ learning efficiency by enhancing the synergy between verbal and visual processing channels described by dual coding theory.

Successes and Challenges of Applying CTML

I successfully incorporated redundancy, coherence, and signaling principles in my screencast design, showcasing a clear understanding of minimizing extraneous cognitive load, thus allowing learners to focus on the essential content. My cognizance towards avoiding unnecessary text, staying on-topic, highlighting key information, and organizing material effectively is a strong foundation for designing effective multimedia learning screencasts.

I also employed the voice principle, by using my own voice for narration, which adds a personal touch. Additionally, I adhered to the image principle by not distracting the learners with irrelevant images to maintain focus on the learning material.

Germane cognitive load is indeed challenging as it requires a nuanced understanding of the learner’s capacity to accept new knowledge. It’s about striking a balance to ensure that the learning process is stimulating without being overwhelming. Applying the germane cognitive load may need to observe how well they grasp the material in the long-term study.

The personalization principle is also challenging. It’s about establishing a connection with the learner in a manner that feels natural and engaging, which requires some understanding of my audience and needs some practice to get right.

Audience

In my screencast, I chose to introduce the most significant traditional festival in China. The audience in my mind would be Canadian students who are unfamiliar with traditional Chinese culture. The audiences play a crucial role in how I design my multimedia materials, especially in the context of Mayer’s Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning.

Considering my audience’s unfamiliarity with traditional Chinese culture, it’s important to simplify the information to manage the intrinsic cognitive load. By choosing only one festival to focus on, I reduced the complexity and made the information more understandable

I also applied dual coding theory by utilizing visuals of celebrations, decorations, and traditional foods along with narration to convey the cultural richness and significance of the festival.

Since the majority of my audience has not been exposed to Chinese traditional festivals, I followed the segmenting principle the break down the information about each festival into small segments allowing for easier understanding. I first introduced the significance and status of each festival in China, then explored the origins of the festivals, and finally enhanced the audience’s understanding by introducing traditional foods, activities, and customs associated with these festivals.

Screencast: Chinese New Year

This screencast (by Zoom) shows the age-old traditions, delicious culinary delights, and lively festivities, aiming to offer Canadian students a captivating glimpse into China’s traditional ethos. let’s get to know the traditional festivities that continue to color the lives of billions of Chinese individuals across the globe.