Talk Title: A New Model for News Engagement Depends on Human-Computer Interaction

Speaker: Dr. Ronald Yaros, Associate Professor, UMD’s Digital Engagement Lab (.org)
Philip Merrill College of Journalism

Location: HBK 2105 and Zoom

Abstract:  Despite the enduring importance of quality writing, reporting, and sourcing in local
journalism, digital communicators have yet to fully leverage cutting-edge research from
other disciplines to meet the evolving needs of today’s news consumers. Since 2005,
Yaros has combined journalism with concepts from cognitive psychology, educational psychology, and human-computer interaction to develop a new model for digital engagement. The unique model combines ten user and content variables and is incorporated into a “smart story suite” so users can select their news narrative. The interface builds what Yaros calls "attention momentum" without depending on clickbait, text-heavy pages, and video. As news consumption and advertising revenues continue to decline, the model seeks to increase the probability that more users will spend more time with more news. Yaros looks forward to presenting this applied research and welcomes collaboration with his team in the digital engagement lab.

Bio:  Dr. Yaros is an Associate Professor in the Philip Merrill College of Journalism and an Affiliate Associate Professor in the College of Information Science. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He then taught at the University of Utah from 2005-2008 where he completed eye-tracking research of his early model before joining Maryland in 2008. Yaros is also a Tow-Knight Disruptive Educator for Journalism Innovation and Entrepreneurship, an Apple Distinguished Educator, and recipient of one of the first campus-wide Donna B. Hamilton Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Awards.