The digital divide does play a major part with everyday subjects whether it be in the workplace or on a global scale but i dont see that it needs to necessarily cause much of a problem.
a) To socioeconomically related access issues within a society?
It is evident that people who are more computer literate are going to look the best on paper when it comes to applying for jobs. But does this mean they will be any good at the job as a whole? I know that when my dad started work at 18 all he had were his O-levels and at that time computers werent even an issue therefore he had no hands on experience. Whereas now he is able to complete spreadsheets, emails and do graphic desgins online everyday with his job. Many companies argue that it costs to much time and money to train people these days which people say they dont have much of. But if we are to try and close this digital divide, how will it be possible without the backing of companies which play the most important roles in the divide?
b) To global access issues across countries and regions?
Britain is one of the wealthiest countries along with America and Japan and therefore these countries can afford technology such as computers and mobile phones. Overall it makes relations between these countries better as it is easier to communicate with the technology we posess. But in parts of, for example, Africa dont even have enough money to feed and clothe themselves nevermind buy the latest mobile phone. Also with the language barrier I think this is possibly where the greatest digital divide comes into play. Hopefully in the future with funding places like this can get the technology they need to increase communication and put them on the map. I dont mean this in terms of geography but the fact that they could then get involved in world projects which would be the best thing for their economy. Can the internet really be called global when so many parts of the world don't have access to it??
Saturday, 28 March 2009
Friday, 27 March 2009
Week 9, Should education 'stretch a person do you think?
I think Digital Immigrants are stretched the most when it comes down to education because they are the ones who have alot of catching up to do in terms of learning at a fast pace what the digital natives already know.
Prensky argues....
“like all immigrants, some better than others – to adapt to their environment, they always retain, to some degree, their "accent," that is, their foot in the past. The “digital immigrant accent” can be seen in such things as turning to the Internet for information second rather than first, or in reading the manual for a program rather than assuming that the program itself will teach us to use it.”
To educate a digital immigrant I think a person should not be stretched educationally because if you are not familiar with the internet things need to stay simple. Then again, if people are expected to get to grips with computer games, podcasts and the like, why shouldn't they be expected to get to grips with 2hr lectures and 500page text books?
Prensky argues....
“like all immigrants, some better than others – to adapt to their environment, they always retain, to some degree, their "accent," that is, their foot in the past. The “digital immigrant accent” can be seen in such things as turning to the Internet for information second rather than first, or in reading the manual for a program rather than assuming that the program itself will teach us to use it.”
To educate a digital immigrant I think a person should not be stretched educationally because if you are not familiar with the internet things need to stay simple. Then again, if people are expected to get to grips with computer games, podcasts and the like, why shouldn't they be expected to get to grips with 2hr lectures and 500page text books?
Week 9, 1 How might Wenger's notions on practice communities relate to Prensky's on education?
Wenger focuses mainly on how cofp are beneficial to the individual whether it is online or irl. Cofp is a shared learning amongst participants, as well as a shared development & this is how I think it relates particularly well with Prenskys theory’s on education aided with technology.
Wenger talks about hierarchy amongst group members but ultimately there is an equal element of give & take, he expresses the need to educate together and he is describing a learning process in which the community take part.
Prensky speaks about how we as individuals interact with technologies & how these may aid or hinder our education. To a native anything is possible on the internet but to an immigrant getting to grips & the pace of looking up information for our on means maybe a little more difficult.
Ultimately, the internet is a tool which we can use to educate ourselves, whether that is taking advantage of methods such as search engines which is perhaps Prensky's idea or whether we join a forum or communicate with eachother in general to find what we want we need to know which is Wengers cofp side.
In my opinion, interaction seems to be a key part in any education environment whether it be in a classroom or online. Do we learn better by interacting with technology (Prenskys theory) or by using technology to interact with others (Wengers theory)
Wenger talks about hierarchy amongst group members but ultimately there is an equal element of give & take, he expresses the need to educate together and he is describing a learning process in which the community take part.
Prensky speaks about how we as individuals interact with technologies & how these may aid or hinder our education. To a native anything is possible on the internet but to an immigrant getting to grips & the pace of looking up information for our on means maybe a little more difficult.
Ultimately, the internet is a tool which we can use to educate ourselves, whether that is taking advantage of methods such as search engines which is perhaps Prensky's idea or whether we join a forum or communicate with eachother in general to find what we want we need to know which is Wengers cofp side.
In my opinion, interaction seems to be a key part in any education environment whether it be in a classroom or online. Do we learn better by interacting with technology (Prenskys theory) or by using technology to interact with others (Wengers theory)
Week 9, How does semantic web differ from web 3.0?
To take the Web to the next level -- to move from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0 -- the information in online documents will have to be turned into data that a machine can read and evaluate on its own. Computers will then be able to take over tasks we now do by hand such as look up maps, book flights, and buy CDs.
I can be thought of as the difference between two dimensions and three dimensions. "People will see the Web start to become smarter," Spivack says. "Eventually it will have some reasoning capabilities built into it."
The writers of “The Semantic Web” explained that, when much of the information on the Web is encoded in such a way that it can be processed automatically, software agents will be able to perform complicated tasks on behalf of users, like booking a doctor’s appointment that fits a person’s schedule and health plan.
Week 9, Semantic Web
What is the 'semantic web'?
Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web defines the semantic web as “a web of data that can be processed directly and indirectly by machines.” (Altova.) In his view, all the data available now on the World Wide Web will be 'read' by machines, which will be in a 'language' only the world wide web can read and process. This makes the data accessible to machines, which in turn will make the World Wide Web easier to use for humans.
Altova (2005 - 2009) 'What is the Semantic Web?' Altova Library, http://www.altova.com/semantic_web.html [Accessed 19/03/09]
Online Brainstorming
Claire, Cara, Kerry, Hannah B, Hannah T and I all agreed to go on msn and brainstorm all of our ideas online. We used a group conversation which allowed all of us to talk to everyone online. This meant that we were all able to stay at home and discuss our ideas without having to meet somewhere such as the library as some of us were very busy and other's were at home-meaning it was almost impossible to arrange a meeting in 'meat-space'
Although online brainstorming was convenient for all of us, there were some limitations of it. Because it was online you had to take turns to say something, and often the flow of conversation was out of sync. This sometimes made conversations confusing. We each used different fonts meaning it was easier to tell who was saying what, but it was still confusing.
When discussing ideas in 'meat space' you would be able to use a different tone of voice, or way of putting across your ideas so that people understood them in the way you intended. Discussing online made this difficult as things such as tone of voice weren't available. This made it more difficult to discuss ideas than it would be in 'meat-space'
Although online brainstorming was convenient for all of us, there were some limitations of it. Because it was online you had to take turns to say something, and often the flow of conversation was out of sync. This sometimes made conversations confusing. We each used different fonts meaning it was easier to tell who was saying what, but it was still confusing.
When discussing ideas in 'meat space' you would be able to use a different tone of voice, or way of putting across your ideas so that people understood them in the way you intended. Discussing online made this difficult as things such as tone of voice weren't available. This made it more difficult to discuss ideas than it would be in 'meat-space'
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Week 9, 'Neo-luddites'
A Neo-Luddite is someone who believes that the use of technology has serious ethical, moral, and social ramifications. Because of this, Neo-Luddites are cautious to adopt technology, which could be a set-back in today's society. Daily frustrations of most university students would involve having to e-mail tutors as well as typing essays using a computer. Adding to this, students have to look for specific online journals, or information online which they may find hard to do. For an online unit such as this one, a Neo-Luddite would struggle as a basic knowledge and understanding of the interent is essential.
Another thing that might make a Neo-Luddites university life difficult is communicating with other students. Most students use mobile phones and social-networking sites such as facebook to keep in touch with and communicate with peers. Again something which a neo-luddite would find difficult.
Personally, without technology, I don't think I would survive at university. Not only with the course itself, typing up essays, using the internet for information, and blogging for online units such as this but I e-mail tutors or family and friends on a daily basis, as well as using Facebook to keep in touch with people. For me I think it would be impossible to be at university without the use of technology.
Another thing that might make a Neo-Luddites university life difficult is communicating with other students. Most students use mobile phones and social-networking sites such as facebook to keep in touch with and communicate with peers. Again something which a neo-luddite would find difficult.
Personally, without technology, I don't think I would survive at university. Not only with the course itself, typing up essays, using the internet for information, and blogging for online units such as this but I e-mail tutors or family and friends on a daily basis, as well as using Facebook to keep in touch with people. For me I think it would be impossible to be at university without the use of technology.
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