Running Head: FINAL PAPER

Final Paper
BE-422
Enyer Rivers
International College of the Cayman Islands

Dr. David Marshall

December 15, 2016

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Abstract

This paper will cover many sections including my brief introduction and literature review of my
topic of research and exploration, how relationships are affected using texting, cellphones, and
social media. The analysis and use of my sources have given substantial numbers of examples
and evidence of what the technology has done to relationships. In addition, my seminar
experience in San Francisco will be tied into this paper as a reflection of what I experienced and
how it has impacted me to this day with growth in knowledge and experience. Also, relating very
much so to the topic as well as both were technology related with the input of society. The
application of my learning will be briefly discussed as well as an overview of how it has
provided nothing but beneficial experience of knowledge and skills. Lastly, summarizing the
limitations of my experience on the trip and how I could reach the goals to fulfill them in the
future.
Keywords: Technology, Relationships, texting, cellphones, social media

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Introduction

Relationships, a way where two or more people connect in a certain way that either
involves love, or family. However, in regards to love, romantic relationships are more differently
than family. According to an online source by Psychology Today (2016), they share that, love is
one of the most profound emotions known to human beings. There are many kinds of love, but
most people seek its expression in a romantic relationship with a compatible partner (para 1). I
thought of this topic in regards to technology because texting, cellphones and social media are
three major things in the world today and it regards to society as well. The topic is important to
me because it grabs my attention as to why such small things in mind but can affect so many
relationships through such medium of technology, whether negative or positive.
Literature Review
Overall, relationships are interchangeably different once it involves technology. The
sources I have managed to intertwine in relation with each other and in correlation shows how
technology impacts relationships of all sorts. According to a scholarly source by Lawrence et al.
(2012), the idea of their research was to point our communication technology and post-divorce
co-parenting where is a family relations topic. I learned that communication is important in this
situation regarding a divorce in a relationship where it involves children and the outcomes of
using technology doesnt necessarily have to be bad.
Furthermore, another source where it is relating to technology that involves relationships
and culture. Zilberstein (2015), discussed clinical and theoretical implications on her findings. I
learned that technology has made its way to a powerful state where no longer it is something
simple but very much complex that it can affect an individual physically and mentally.

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In addition, another scholarly source from Nicole (2015), writes specifically about texting
another alternative to technology where she shares her theory as describing texting as a third
client in the room. I learned to understand it as a metaphor for psychotherapists who
communicate with adolescents who share significant amount of feelings when they text via
cellphones and computers. Nicole writs a paper clinically significant to the use of the social
media aspect.
What all three of these sources have in common is that they all relate to technology.
However, more of in correlation to relationships. All three of these scholarly sources describe
what texting, cell phones, and social media impact on relationships whether bad or good. The
differences of each are the examples provided, from mentally and physically effects from the
technology, to divorced co-parenting, to adolescent use of texting and in regards to their feelings
towards them.
Technology and Society Topic Exploration
My topic will focus on relationships and how texting, cellphone use, and social media
play roles in them. A more of a neutral stand-point where no positive or negative outweigh each
other, but an evidence of effects from the technology. I managed to gather three important
articles regarding relationships and its involvement with texting cellphones and social media.
According to Lawrence et al. (2012), where they constructed a study of 49 divorced coparents who were examined in regards to their use of technology to communicate. They share
that the co-parenting relationships managed to use communication technologies successfully and
aided them to make plans and decisions about their children while living apart (para 1).
Lawrence et al. (2012), also finds that families and technology have found a way to improve by

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contact for geographically spread families (Yarosh, Davis, Modlitba, Skov, & Vetere, 2009). As
they find and research more factual representation of these affects, it is clear to see that
technology has its use in such situations. For as communication technology use in post-divorce
families, Lawrence et al. (2012) shares:
Phone conversations remain a common synchronous method of
communication in post-divorce families, but phone calls may have
drawbacks. Divorced co-parents have reported that phone calls
were most effective when they were brief and fact based (Troilo &
Coleman, in press).
Following the previously stated quote, Lawrence et al. (2012) found that the purpose of
the study was, to explore the use of communication technology by divorced co-parents. In a
whole, this study has found that post-divorced families and the use of technology has benefitted
situations for these families where communication was very important in means of passing
information.
Whereas, Zilberstein (2015) shares that technology has shown effects on a person
behaviors and brain that can affect relationships. Zilberstein (2015), shares that with the increase
of famously used internet and social media, there has been generated concerns regarding disputes
about their affects. Zibersteins study has writes a lot about the youth and how the use of the
internet and social media focuses on them more than any other age group. On the popularity of
the technology use, Zilberstein (2015) shares a study from another source,
This has stirred dispute and concern about the impact of those
practices and behavior, and relationships, particularly because

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youth are both most exposed and vulnerable technologys effects

(Small and Vorgan, 2008).
Following the previously stated quote, the study from Zilberstein focused more on the
youth and how technology has affect them and has made the internet and social media their
relationship.
Lastly, Dubus (2015), study was more about psychotherapists who interact with
adolescents. Where Dubus (2015) finds, The use of text messages in the lives of adolescents has
increased. The study describes how much adolescents are more born into this era of
technology where they are used to these technologies a without them they are not what they are.
However, it has become a psychological issue of addiction, Dubus (2015) finds that,
psychotherapists struggle to understand the meaning this has for the adolescent, as well as how
to proceed.
What I learned from my academic review of this topic was that technology has many
uses. That in the scenario of a relationship, whether love, family, or independently the use of
texting, cellphones and social media affect people who use them regardless if they are negative
or positive. I have learned that the use of technology is more of a neutral point where it can lay
on either side.

The San Francisco Experience

On November 8, 2016, the class of BE-422 embarked on a journey that was going to be
remembered by many of us, by the memories we will make, the things we will learn, and the
enjoyment we will take. That journey was none other than the magical trip to San Francisco,

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California! However, this trip was strictly straight up business from the start. With no playing,
around, Dr. David Marshall was very serious with the organization of this trip and how it will
turn out to be nothing short of high educational importance.
Our entire trip last from November 8th November 13th 2016. Seems short, but was never
short in comparison to the details in between those days. For our place of stay, we booked rooms
to stay at the lovely San Francisco Marriott Fishermans Wharf in the beautiful tourist area on
1250 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco California. In advance, these rooms were already booked
and reserved for us.
Day One
On departure day, Tuesday, November 8, 2016, we left the Cayman Islands on flight 2367
on American Airlines at 12:09 p.m. A very short flight for the moment as our tickets were
connecting flights, so we first landed in Miami at the Miami International Airport around 1:45
p.m. It was a little over a three-hour layover for us as we had to wait for our flight to San
Francisco on flight 1130 which left at 5:12 p.m. We finally arrived at the SFO airport around
8:39 p.m. Upon arrival, we claimed our baggage and wet straight to an information desk where
we purchased our trolley/bus pass that would cover us for the entire time we would be there.
From there on out we went outside to the bus pick-up area where from there 3 vans awaited us to
transport us to the San Francisco Fishermans Wharf hotel. When we arrived at the hotel, David
had a mandatory quick seminar meeting downstairs in the meeting room which lasted about 15
minutes. The meeting just detailed the information from the itinerary for the following day and
as well to discuss any last-minute changes/updated. Also, this meeting was graded. For that day,
however, we had an assignment that was due that same night at 11:59 p.m. which sked us a quick
Populi discussion check-in question on just an update on our arrival and how we liked our rooms

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and if anything, else was out of place. After that the night was for ourselves and we decided
when to go to bed and wake up on time for the following day.
Day Two
On Wednesday, November 9th, 2016, we had a whole new day ahead of us and this was
going to be the official start of this seminar experience in California. So, around 6-7:30 a.m. we
had our own time to gather together or individually eat breakfast on our own as we awaited to
embark on our day with David. Around 7:45 a.m. we left the hotel to catch a trolley two blocks
away to Taylor and Bay to catch the Powel / Mason Cable car to take us to the Bay Area Council
Economic Institute located at 353 Sacramento St. Upon arrival, we took our way up to the tenth
floor, where from there, awaited Dr. Sean Randolph, a Senior Director for the Bay Area Council
Economic Institute (2016) to provide us with a brilliant overview of his lecture about how the
Bay Area is so well known for being the leading hub for tech and start-ups, the forecast for the
tech jobs and growth for the future and as well as how colleagues and universities played a role
in providing the talent for the well-known companies. Over two hours or so we engaged with
interest and questions that sadly had to finish so that we could head to our new venture.
A little 10:30 a.m. we managed to leave the building to then go forth and head to our next
lecture which was located on 180 Sansome St. Upon arrival, we went up to the second floor
where from there, awaited Mark Weiss, an Ecosystem General Manager for RocketSpace (2016).
Mark Weiss then began his lecture where we learned about how they help businesses come up as
well as start-ups, the reason tech star-ups became successful and why it is a threat to traditional
businesses, as well as why is San Fran the greatest location for start-ups knowing that it has the
reputation of being the leading hub for such things. I also learned that RocketSpace makes
money solely on just consulting with these business and start-ups that just want to become

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successful and so they come to them for advice and help to make that happen. Disappointingly,
we had to cut our lecture short as we had to go to another location for our first day.
We then headed to the San Francisco Public Library located on 100 Larkin St. where we
took the public bus to arrive there as well as by walking. The point of this trip to the library was
to appreciate the huge and vast building of where someone can find inexplicable amount of
knowledge through the multiple levels of book and computers that they provide. Also, it was an
extremely quiet area where anyone who was inside was concentrating on his or her own work.
We were there for little over an hour, so we took the time to work on our reflection papers.
Our next, and last stop for the day involved a walk to Hayes St. & Larkin St., where we
then took the bus to get off at Hayes St. & Gough St. To then walk 1 min to Ivy St. We reached a
very secluded building where inside awaited the incredible business that is Chain. On the second
floor, awaited Jill Carlson, who is a Business Development and Partner Lead for Chain (2016).
Who are basically a start-up company that has made an extremely effective process where they
manage to digitize the worlds assets so value moves fast and intelligently as data. A powerful
network where it pinnacles innovation of software. The lecture lasted for about two hours, where
I managed to learn a lot about what they do and how they are changing assets as well as an
alternative banking solution addition of software. From there, we headed back to our hotel and
had our own time to complete our reflection paper assignments and have dinner on our own.
Day Three
On day three, we expected for things to pick up even more as our second day wasnt
enough already! Surely, however, we were ready for another journey of learning. We took a
Board Storer Bus that awaited us in-front of the hotel. We had to make sure we brought our

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Cayman Enterprise City t-shirt along with our ICCI t-shirt. We were all boarded and were headed
to the securely facilitated Google Global Headquarters in Mountain View, California.
Upon arrival at Google Headquarters, we met with Joe DeMike, the Accelerator
Operations of Google, Inc (2016), who gave us a general tour of the campus. We met in a
solidary room where he had a PowerPoint presentation for us on an overview of what Google is,
what they do, and how they do it. Without letting out all the secrets however. Joe DeMike
discussed about many thigs that Google plans to release in the upcoming future that will change
technology forever. He mentioned smart cars, the benefits of employees, what it takes to land a
job at Google and how the procedure is so rigorous.
Furthermore, on our visit, he toured us on more of the campus going to the cafeteria and
seeing the many symbols of Google such as shark fins and the t-rex sculptures. We walked across
the road to another site where he took us to the Google gift shop, from there he left us and we
enjoyed the store as well as taking photos. The tour was finished and so we headed back to the
first campus and took mandatory photos with our Cayman Enterprise City t-shirts.
Our next stop was to Pier 39, where David gave us a bit of free time before heading to
our next location. A little over an hour we had to do some shopping and enjoying the beautiful
dock of Pier 39. After all the fun and shenanigans, we grouped up and started to head across the
street to Beach St. building #101. From there, we arrived at SB Architects. I knew we had a very
interesting lecture to listen to, so I couldnt wait to hear. Scott Lee, an AIA, and LEED AP
President and Principal (2016) of SB architects had a wonderful presentation for us covering
mostly our own beloved Island that has now introduced the Seafire Resort by Kimpton. Where
we learned about this key topic, discussing the overview of their global practice and how
technology relates to their work, how tourism with both resorts and urban areas connect. The

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longest presentation yet for our trip, but ended strongly with indented information and
knowledge in our skulls about how architects work. We left to go back to the hotel, and from
there we continued yet again our reflection papers.
Day Four
On day four, we awoke, ate breakfast and was ready yet again for another day of learning.
However, this time it wasnt so hectic. We left the hotel to catch a bus by walking one block
away to North Point and Jones. From there we caught the #47 bus going South. We got off at Van
Ness Ave & McAllister St. to then transfer to a #5R bus on Fulton St. & Clayton. As we reached,
we then walked two blocks down to 2130 Fulton where we arrived at the University of San
Francisco. We reported to the Malloy Hall, where form there we waited until the presenter was
ready.
After a couple of minutes waiting, Professor Al-Abdulah (2016) arrived to present us
about Technology in Business. A brilliant lecture where he shares how the Silicone Valley is the
center of technology in business. I learned that software will be changing industries soon such as
Uber and IBM as they continue to lead the software industry. I also managed to grasp an
interesting point that Al-Abdulah shared om his opinion. He believes that around the year 2020,
self-driving cars will learn human behaviors enough too drive professionally and with very
minimal risks. He also involved the use of Bitcoin and even blockchain and describes them as
leading technology for our future. We then went to Q&A with the professor but unfortunately, we
had to leave the campus to go to the other USF campus in downtown. The USFCA, School of
Management Leadership presented by another professor, Kevin Lo (2016). Kevin Lo then
presented to us a lecture about Organizational Behavior, a very brief lecture about the levels of
analysis in OB as well as the common topics along with the theories of OB. After the brilliant

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presentation by Kevin, the School of Managements Graduate Recruiting and Admissions Team
presented to us a short lecture about how we can go about with registration if we chose to apply
or transfer to their school. They covered costs, the benefits, procedures, estimates of completion,
and other important information regarding the school for applying. Following their presentation,
we then gave thanks and from there we headed back home to the hotel, where we had the entire
Friday afternoon free to either work on our reflection papers or e-portfolios.
Day Five
Day five, and before we knew it, it was already Saturday the 11th of November. On this
day, we were to be expecting to do some quality community service as part of our time spending
here in California. We left the hotel around 7:30 a.m. with our Cayman Enterprise City t-shirts
again, as well as our ICCI t-shirts. From the hotel, we walked to Hyde and North Point Trolley
Station where we took a trolley heading to downtown. We got off at Market and Powell to make
sure to catch a #5 bus going toward Ocean. Then we got off at McAlister and Larkin, where we
then walked to Polk 730. We reached our destination, the Service Activity at Project Open Hand.
Upon arrival, awaited Mr. Elliot Steinbach, a young man who is the Volunteer Coordinator
(2016) at Project Open Hand in San Francisco, California. Elliot gave us some brief history
about Project Open Hand and discussed as to why they do what they do. I learned that they
solely provide meals strictly through volunteers, however they do have their own set employees
for specific areas. They tend to the elderly, the sick, and to anyone who just simply cant afford a
good cooked meal or purchase simple things that will benefit their health.
Our service began around 9:00 a.m. We organized baskets of meals such as bagged
oranges and bagged pork meat slices to fill. Once we filled the baskets they then were transferred
to a specific location to be stored. A continuous and repetitive process that even hours flew by

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quickly. Sadly, we didnt get to do other things regarding our service, however we managed to
package a lot of meals where Elliot was greatly impressed about. He said that we are too fast!
But of course, out of kindness. As our long day came down to a close, the service ended for us
around 1:00 p.m. We were applauded by the team who worked there and Elliot was surely proud
of what we have done in according to volunteering. We thanked Elliot very much for having us
and was our absolute pleasure to experience such a moment where we get to make an impact in
the community in California by just simply preparing packages of food for the needy.
We left Project Open Hand, where from there on, David gave us the rest of the day free
for us who were willing to go and take trolleys to shopping districts. There was no doubt that
everyone wanted a break and to part-take in some shopping. So, we got into groups and went on
a shopping spree that lasted for about 4 hours. After all the shopping, however, we knew that we
needed to head back to the hotel ourselves so we took the necessary trolleys that led us back
Fishermans Wharf. We needed to be responsible enough to head back to the hotel to complete
our assignments that were due for that day, such as discussion and reflection papers. Gladly,
everyone got back safely and our day ended.

Day Six
Day six, our last day of our seminar experience. We were scheduled to depart in the
afternoon, however we still had one more thing to do. David planned a tour for us in China
Town, California. Regardless of rain or shine we were still going for a tour visit. To begin, we
walked to Taylor St. & Bay St., where we then took the Powell-Mason Cable Car. We got off at
Powell St. & California St, thereafter walking to 660 California St. to what appeared to me as a

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cathedral. We waited for our tour guide there, where we expected a person by the name of Linda
Lee. As she arrived, she immediately greeted us with a big smile and with enthusiasm, and from
there on we started the tour which the concentration was a diversity element. I learned so much
during our tour and managed to snap some pictures and capture some videos.
Linda Lee was a very bright and intelligent person who was very vibrant in her
personality as well as humorous. We learned a bit about how the Chinese first came to California
to shape what China Town is today, a brief history of how they migrated and what they
accomplished. Also, I grasped knowledge on how people in the area sleep or even rent rooms,
where it is possible to have a rented space of six feet long by three feet wide. The way she
described about how people manage to fit into rooms is just astonishing. I also learned a bit of
their medicinal treatments, where in fact and to be completely honest, was disgusting. However,
proven to be very effected as these are treatments that they used for hundreds of years by the old
and wise. In an overall review, I enjoyed the tour as it had to come to a stop at a local restaurant
where we ate lunch. Thereafter, we had to go back to the hotel to get ready to pack our things as
our flight was in the night.
The time was 7:00 p.m., where we had to arrive at the San Francisco International and
check into our flight. Our flight number was 1540, as we boarded at 9:45 p.m. Time lapsed, we
arrived in Miami around 6:01 a.m. the following day. Again, we had to have a layover of over 3
hours in Miami as we waited for our flight back home to the Cayman Islands. The next flight
number was 2367 where we then left around 9:44 a.m. and arrived in Grand Cayman at 11:19
a.m. local time.
To conclude this entire seminar experience, what I learned about my topic in San
Francisco regarding Technology and Society was very important. That in fact, I learned a

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substantial amount of information and knowledge that will surely benefit me as I will use my
experience and incorporate it here locally as I purse my dream career. My experience is related to
many topics in my text book on Taking Sides (2016) such as unit one (p. 18) for example, the
place of science and technology in society. I learned that the place for science and technology in
society is very important for the future of many businesses and companies as well as future jobs.
The seminar experience allowed me to realize the great importance of technology in society
today. The most surprising moment of the entire trip was overall the sightseeing as well as the
observations I made of how people live here, in regards to what they do and how they do things.
I really admired the balance of simplicity and advanced ideas that they live by. My topic in
regards to San Fran is relating to relationships and how texting, cell phones and social media
affect relationships. I believe this was a good topic because it relates to technology and how it
impacts people, either positive or negative?
Application of the Learning
The seminar on Technology and Society has been a very educational experience that I can
only say that is has only been beneficial to myself. Not just gaining experience, but knowledge as
well. As a student, this course will help me grow into a better student with being more prepared
for what to expect and set a benchmark for what I want to reach, more-less a goal. I have
changed in a way that I show more maturity in myself. In regards to my presentation, my
attitude, and my work ethic in regards to the school work load responsibilities. The tools that I
now have that I never had before would be awareness. I would say that, awareness has been my
new tool because of the experience. I am more aware of the fact of how important technology is
and how fast the future will change along with it. As I progress in life, I will always use my new

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awareness to better myself of foreseeing situations where I need to know certain things that will
help me at my workplace (for example).
I can use this experience to accomplish my goals by implementing tenacity. Going for
what I really want will only help me achieve it. Comparing the peoples attitude in California to
here is completely different. Showing the determination that they portray in that state is an
inspiration that I must follow to only see myself as successful as them. The comparison and
contrast to the island is very vast. However, I feel that we are years behind what the Unites States
has accomplished and it seems we take forever to catch up. A better government system would
surely help this island aid and get them where they need to be.
Limitations
During the San Francisco Seminar trip, I learned very much in every aspect that I could
possibly learn from regarding the seminar requirements. However, there were some things that I
feel werent accomplished or completed in the terms of my learning. I wish that I had learned
more about California, for example, visiting historical sights and museums. The Golden Gate
Bridge wouldve been the pinnacle to the trip if I ever got the chance to visit.
I also wanted to learn more about the possibilities of living here comfortably. Knowing
that California is expensive to live, I would like to know how can one live comfortably. I
wouldve loved to stay longer at Project Open Hand to do different things of the volunteer work
that we did. I also wouldve loved to tour Google longer, Joe DeMike did mentioned he was
going to show us the arcade room for example, but we never go the chance to stop by or even
complete the tour of the entire campus in general.

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The only way I would be able to accomplish some of these unfulfilled goals would be to
visit San Francisco again. However, some of them wouldnt be as easy. For example, to visit
google again would probably be harder to visit alone, although I would try with connections.
Also, visiting San Fran would let me get another opportunity to do a longer service at Project
Open Hand. Going alone would make me do longer service if I could and wanted to compared to
the fixed schedule we had during the seminar.
Summary and Conclusion
To conclude this paper, I have enjoyed the research of my topic as well as all other
sections. This mattered most to me as a significant use of knowledge to broaden my mind as well
as vocabulary. Reflecting on my Seminar and how the use of my topic managed to tie together
makes sense as both were about technology and how society is involved, in my case
relationships. I have learned the style of living in San Francisco and managed to view an
image of what it would be like to be one of those people and tying in the topic of my research
and how it is implemented in their living style.

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References

Al-Abdulah. (2016). Professor at University of San Francisco, personal communication

Carlson, J. (2016). Business Development and Partner Lead for Chain, personal communication
Dr. Randolph, S. (2016). Senior Director for the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, personal
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Dubus, N. (2015). Texting: The third client in the room. Clinical Social Work Journal, 43(2),
209-214. doi:http://dx.doi.org.ezp-02.lirn.net/10.1007/s10615-014-0504-3
Easton, T. A. (2016). Taking Sides: Clashing Views in Science, Technology, and Society. United
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Ganong, L. H., Coleman, M., Feistman, R., Jamison, T., & Markham, M. S. (2012).
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Lee, S. (2016). AIA, and LEED AP President and Principal for SB Architects, personal
communication
Lo, K. (2016). USFCA School of Management Leadership: Professor, personal communication
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12, 2016, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/basics/relationships
Small, G., & Vorgan, G. (2008). iBrain: Surviving the technological alteration of the modern
mind. New York: HarperCollins.

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Steinbach, E. (2016). Project Open Hand: Volunteer Coordinator, personal communication
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Weiss, M. (2016). Ecosystem General Manager RocketSpace, personal communication
Yarosh, S., Davis, H., Modlitba, P., Skov, M., & Vetere, F. (2009). Mobile technologies for
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Zilberstein, K. (2015). Technology, relationships, and culture: Clinical and theoretical
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