Friday, 27 March 2009
My Last Post!
So, its been 55 posts since I began my blogging 'journey' and its finally at an end! I have found learning online to be rewarding as well as frustrating. If I were to do it again, I would most certianly make use of more comments on other peoples blogs and to interact more about the tasks with group members. I think the trouble was once you had spent hours doing the tasks, the last thing you wanted to go was to keep checking back to see if someone had commented. I found the emails hard to pick up because I don't check my uni email as much as I would my hotmail, and theres not any other way you can see if someone has commented your blog unless you go to edit it! I have learnt a great deal of new information, and skills from this for example I now know how to blog, I know about the advances in technology. I know how to criticise articles and to write abstracts for them. So overall it has been a good experience, I don't think however that I will take up blogging permanently! I prefer speaking to people in person much more than userfacing.
Thursday, 26 March 2009
Week 10- MSN brainstorm for Q 2
Me and Katie were having trouble understanding question 2, so decided to have a brainstorm of possible ideas over instant messaging(MSN). Some of the downfalls I found to using msn rather than meeting face-to-face where that we could easily interrupt one another, as you would not in person. Also msn sometimes stopped working and our conversation could not flow like a conversation in person could. I found it harder to phrase what I wanted to say, as oppose to talking in person. What I did like about using msn, was that it was easy and convenient. We didn't have to organise a time when we both could meet, we could simply meet online and talk. We also were able to show each other links to websites that may of been some use. I think that overall our conversation other instant messaing helped both of us to clarify our understanding of this question and possible answers we could consider for it.
Week 10- Q2
What difference to all this might the digital divide make?
-To socioeconomically related access issues within a society
-To global access issues across countries and regions
The 'Digital Divide' refers to the gap between those who benefit from digital technology and those who do not. For example generally Upper Middle Classes have high-quality access to digital technology as they have the means to access it(money!). Those who cannot afford digital technology are simply left without access to it, or if they do have access it is usually low quality and merely localized versions of products and services, intended for the rich. The 'Digital Divide' mostly effects undeveloped countries, however it is evident within the class system as well. The ever changing new technologies purpose is to benefit the masses with new ways of finding information, the ability to develop new skills however what about those who are socially disadvantaged, those who fall in the bottom category of the digital divide? Prensky's idea of a digital divide, consists of digital natives and digital immigrants however the digital divide has taken place on a much larger basis than this, status, wealth and class.
Lister et al in New Media: A Critical Introduction, examine the digital divide in the U.S one of the most advanced 'rich' countries in the world and present the argument that digital divide is present in Western countries such as this despite it being one of the richest countries in the world. Lister claims "The digital divide reproduces other kinds of inequalities in the society". In America, White people are more likely to have access to the Internet than Black people or Hispanics from any location. The digital divide highlights how socioeconomic status determines whether or not you have access to digital technology. Novack and Hoffman argue that "differential access to online resources is a function of income". So according to these notions, the digital divide all comes down to how affluent you are. The digital divide reiterates the divisions between the classes, and mostly between the rich and the poor. If there was to be any equality in regards to access to the Internet and other digital technologies then the Inet would be made widely available to all, and cost should have no bearing on this. A persons socioeconomic status is judged by income, education level, social status so basically this means how wealthy and how educated you are.
Globalization of digital technology is a highly debated subject. We looked for example at the ever present challenges facing farmers in Africa, and the governments introduction of Infonet, a program where farmers can access vital information online, or offline about farming. However when we consider how little access there is to the Internet for developing countries such as these how many farmers are actually receiving this help. With the U.S, China and UK's ever advancing technologies further pushing the bridge between the digital divide, it is unlikely that these developing countries will ever catch up and have the access that we all take for granted. However it is not just the developing countries that are facing these problems as it has been shown the digital divide is evident within countries that are regarded as rich. The digital divide is an extension of the social problems and inequalities that already exist in countries such as these, but is another way of presenting the differences between the rich and the poor.
http://www.digitaldivide.org/dd/digitaldivide.html
http://www.flexibility.co.uk/issues/debates/divide.htm
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/earlycld/ea7lk5.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/10/99/information_rich_information_poor/466651.stm
I also used Lister et al(2003) New Media: A Critical Introduction, Oxon, Routledge- p199-200
-To socioeconomically related access issues within a society
-To global access issues across countries and regions
The 'Digital Divide' refers to the gap between those who benefit from digital technology and those who do not. For example generally Upper Middle Classes have high-quality access to digital technology as they have the means to access it(money!). Those who cannot afford digital technology are simply left without access to it, or if they do have access it is usually low quality and merely localized versions of products and services, intended for the rich. The 'Digital Divide' mostly effects undeveloped countries, however it is evident within the class system as well. The ever changing new technologies purpose is to benefit the masses with new ways of finding information, the ability to develop new skills however what about those who are socially disadvantaged, those who fall in the bottom category of the digital divide? Prensky's idea of a digital divide, consists of digital natives and digital immigrants however the digital divide has taken place on a much larger basis than this, status, wealth and class.
Lister et al in New Media: A Critical Introduction, examine the digital divide in the U.S one of the most advanced 'rich' countries in the world and present the argument that digital divide is present in Western countries such as this despite it being one of the richest countries in the world. Lister claims "The digital divide reproduces other kinds of inequalities in the society". In America, White people are more likely to have access to the Internet than Black people or Hispanics from any location. The digital divide highlights how socioeconomic status determines whether or not you have access to digital technology. Novack and Hoffman argue that "differential access to online resources is a function of income". So according to these notions, the digital divide all comes down to how affluent you are. The digital divide reiterates the divisions between the classes, and mostly between the rich and the poor. If there was to be any equality in regards to access to the Internet and other digital technologies then the Inet would be made widely available to all, and cost should have no bearing on this. A persons socioeconomic status is judged by income, education level, social status so basically this means how wealthy and how educated you are.
Globalization of digital technology is a highly debated subject. We looked for example at the ever present challenges facing farmers in Africa, and the governments introduction of Infonet, a program where farmers can access vital information online, or offline about farming. However when we consider how little access there is to the Internet for developing countries such as these how many farmers are actually receiving this help. With the U.S, China and UK's ever advancing technologies further pushing the bridge between the digital divide, it is unlikely that these developing countries will ever catch up and have the access that we all take for granted. However it is not just the developing countries that are facing these problems as it has been shown the digital divide is evident within countries that are regarded as rich. The digital divide is an extension of the social problems and inequalities that already exist in countries such as these, but is another way of presenting the differences between the rich and the poor.
http://www.digitaldivide.org/dd/digitaldivide.html
http://www.flexibility.co.uk/issues/debates/divide.htm
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/students/earlycld/ea7lk5.htm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/10/99/information_rich_information_poor/466651.stm
I also used Lister et al(2003) New Media: A Critical Introduction, Oxon, Routledge- p199-200
Week 10- Q6
How does the Semantic Web differ from web 3.0?
Where as facebook, youtube and blogs etc belong to Web 2.0. Web 3.0 is a new type of internet, far more powerful than the current one."In little over a decade the internet will be transformed, the web will be able to connect every aspect of our digital lives. It will be able to know when you are typing an email, suggest websites that are useful"
The first decade of the web focused on Web 1.0. This was a basic platform with the ability to widely access a huge amount of information. Next came the Web 2.0 which we are currently in, Web 2.0 was the next step of enabling users to connect with one another(user interface) i.e blogging, instant messaging, facebook etc.
Mr Spivack says "Web 3.0 will transform the basic platform of the internet, so that it understands the near infinite pieces of information that reside on it and draws the connections between them"
I found a number of articles that described the semantic web as web 3.0. I also read that if web 3.0 does eventually take over that it could mean the end to search engines like google. So Web 3.0 is all about making the internet more efficient and more personal to the user, and the semantic web is a database of all information that can lead the user to a number of different databases to find what they are looking for. It seems from most of the reading I did that the Web 3.0 and Semantic are very similiar and are going to be combined to make the most powerful internet so far.
"Web 3.0 is about making all this technology and content smarter -- by adding semantics to the data (using the Semantic Web and microformats, etc.) and by adding more smarts to applications so that they can do a better job of helping humans (natural language search, semantic search, recommendation agents, etc.)."
Where as facebook, youtube and blogs etc belong to Web 2.0. Web 3.0 is a new type of internet, far more powerful than the current one."In little over a decade the internet will be transformed, the web will be able to connect every aspect of our digital lives. It will be able to know when you are typing an email, suggest websites that are useful"
The first decade of the web focused on Web 1.0. This was a basic platform with the ability to widely access a huge amount of information. Next came the Web 2.0 which we are currently in, Web 2.0 was the next step of enabling users to connect with one another(user interface) i.e blogging, instant messaging, facebook etc.
Mr Spivack says "Web 3.0 will transform the basic platform of the internet, so that it understands the near infinite pieces of information that reside on it and draws the connections between them"
I found a number of articles that described the semantic web as web 3.0. I also read that if web 3.0 does eventually take over that it could mean the end to search engines like google. So Web 3.0 is all about making the internet more efficient and more personal to the user, and the semantic web is a database of all information that can lead the user to a number of different databases to find what they are looking for. It seems from most of the reading I did that the Web 3.0 and Semantic are very similiar and are going to be combined to make the most powerful internet so far.
"Web 3.0 is about making all this technology and content smarter -- by adding semantics to the data (using the Semantic Web and microformats, etc.) and by adding more smarts to applications so that they can do a better job of helping humans (natural language search, semantic search, recommendation agents, etc.)."
I'm still a bit confused about the Web 3.0 and Semantic web, is not the semantic web an extension of Web 3.0? Does anyone have any thoughts that could help? Thanks
Some websites I found of use-
http://novaspivack.typepad.com/nova_spivacks_weblog/2006/11/does_the_semant.html
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article2726190.ece
http://evolvingtrends.wordpress.com/2006/06/26/wikipedia-30-the-end-of-google/
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Week 10- Q4
Is there a potential problem being stored up for people if 'education' is tailored to fit into their cultural and personal preferences?
In terms of Wenger's notion that people learn better when they are in a community of practice with people who share similar interests, cultures etc then in response to the question of whether the idea of tailoring education to fit with peoples own preferences poses a problem, I would say no. However, if we look at the bigger picture if education was to be tailored to fit individuals cultural and personal preferences then we would find ourselves separating people into groups who all have similar views. This would not be beneficial for these students because one of the main parts of learning I believe is to integrate with other students who share similar or dissimilar views. If everyone was of the same views or shared the same culture then there would be no diversity amongst students. Given that the U.K is a multicultural country is would be unwise to seperate cultures, as this could lead to negative effects on the way these groups interact with one another. The below is a report I found from the Houses of Parliament on 'Individually tailored education'.
35. We welcome the Government's proposals to provide more individually tailored education. These policies, directed at what actually happens in classrooms, are as important as anything in the White Paper. These proposals could directly and beneficially affect every child at school in England, and we look forward to seeing how matters develop in practice.
36. We do, however, sound two cautionary notes. Included in the chapter on personalised learning are proposals on the gifted and talented programme and for an increase in setting and grouping by ability and attainment. Professor David Gilborn, from the Institute of Education at the University of London, drew our attention to the fact that, according to DfES statistics, white pupils were twice as likely to be identified as gifted and talented as pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds in general (10% of white pupils; 6% of pupils of Indian origin; 5% of pupils of Pakistanis origin; 4% of pupils of Black Caribbean origin; and 2% of pupils of Black African origin).
This report shows that individually tailored education may be beneficial to those who are talented and gifted. It is however effected by race, as more white people are more likely to be identified as gifted as oppose to Black or Asian people. Education is not there simply to be adjusted for students who share different views, or like different things it is there to provide learning and develop one's skills and personality. I think is education was to be tailored to meet certain groups needs then many problems would arise, it would also be very costly to the government and I think money could be spend elsewhere on better resources. In an article on the BBC news website, Mike Baker asks what exactly is tailored/personalised education?
"re-integration of learning, life and community", making use of "catalogue and natural versions of curriculum and assessment" and "de-coupling of age-stage progressions". ..
"That White Paper said personalised learning meant a "tailored education for every child and young person". So, behind this haziness, the reality is that personalised education could be the biggest change to teaching and learning for many decades. It has the potential to re-engage the interest of thousands of unmotivated teenagers."
Baker conludes however it would be difficult for the government to implement and challenging for the the teachers and schools. Overall I think that tailored education would cause quite a few problems in regards to who decides who gets special treatment, race issues, cost effectiveness...Educations job is to educate as many people as possible, seperating people into groups may effect there learning experiences and views of other groups.
Houses of Parliament Report
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmeduski/633/63306.htm
BBC News- Tailoring Lessons for every pupil. (Mike Baker)http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/5021550.stm
In terms of Wenger's notion that people learn better when they are in a community of practice with people who share similar interests, cultures etc then in response to the question of whether the idea of tailoring education to fit with peoples own preferences poses a problem, I would say no. However, if we look at the bigger picture if education was to be tailored to fit individuals cultural and personal preferences then we would find ourselves separating people into groups who all have similar views. This would not be beneficial for these students because one of the main parts of learning I believe is to integrate with other students who share similar or dissimilar views. If everyone was of the same views or shared the same culture then there would be no diversity amongst students. Given that the U.K is a multicultural country is would be unwise to seperate cultures, as this could lead to negative effects on the way these groups interact with one another. The below is a report I found from the Houses of Parliament on 'Individually tailored education'.
35. We welcome the Government's proposals to provide more individually tailored education. These policies, directed at what actually happens in classrooms, are as important as anything in the White Paper. These proposals could directly and beneficially affect every child at school in England, and we look forward to seeing how matters develop in practice.
36. We do, however, sound two cautionary notes. Included in the chapter on personalised learning are proposals on the gifted and talented programme and for an increase in setting and grouping by ability and attainment. Professor David Gilborn, from the Institute of Education at the University of London, drew our attention to the fact that, according to DfES statistics, white pupils were twice as likely to be identified as gifted and talented as pupils from minority ethnic backgrounds in general (10% of white pupils; 6% of pupils of Indian origin; 5% of pupils of Pakistanis origin; 4% of pupils of Black Caribbean origin; and 2% of pupils of Black African origin).
This report shows that individually tailored education may be beneficial to those who are talented and gifted. It is however effected by race, as more white people are more likely to be identified as gifted as oppose to Black or Asian people. Education is not there simply to be adjusted for students who share different views, or like different things it is there to provide learning and develop one's skills and personality. I think is education was to be tailored to meet certain groups needs then many problems would arise, it would also be very costly to the government and I think money could be spend elsewhere on better resources. In an article on the BBC news website, Mike Baker asks what exactly is tailored/personalised education?
"re-integration of learning, life and community", making use of "catalogue and natural versions of curriculum and assessment" and "de-coupling of age-stage progressions". ..
"That White Paper said personalised learning meant a "tailored education for every child and young person". So, behind this haziness, the reality is that personalised education could be the biggest change to teaching and learning for many decades. It has the potential to re-engage the interest of thousands of unmotivated teenagers."
Baker conludes however it would be difficult for the government to implement and challenging for the the teachers and schools. Overall I think that tailored education would cause quite a few problems in regards to who decides who gets special treatment, race issues, cost effectiveness...Educations job is to educate as many people as possible, seperating people into groups may effect there learning experiences and views of other groups.
Houses of Parliament Report
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmeduski/633/63306.htm
BBC News- Tailoring Lessons for every pupil. (Mike Baker)http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/5021550.stm
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Week 10- Q1
1) How might Wenger's notions on practice communities relate to Prensky's on education?
Etienne Wenger developed the concept of "Community of Practice", which basically means a "group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly"(Wenger). A community of practice is an identity and is shared by all those in the group that share the common interest. Communities among practioners create a direct link between learning and performance. Wenger is saying that groups of people with shared interests will learn better as they are able to interact with one another regularly.
Prensky's notions on education include the idea that teachers have to learn to communicate in the language and style of their students, therefor adapting themselves to a digital natives way of thinking and in effect helping them to learn quicker. Prensky also believes that teaching much be more"faster, instead of step by step- a more parallell content, with more random access" He also believes 2 contents are vital, Legacy content- readings, writing, arithmetic and Future Content- digital and technological. Lastly Prensky devises his idea that all this could be solved with inventing computer games to educate. Learning takes place in communities, if a community of practice is set up in schools, students could learn better through technology by teachers that are able to relate to students because they have also learnt about technology and ways to incorporate it in a positive way. If teachers are able to learn to communicate in a way that students can understand and relate to their language then the learning process will be a much quicker, efficient process.
Etienne Wenger developed the concept of "Community of Practice", which basically means a "group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly"(Wenger). A community of practice is an identity and is shared by all those in the group that share the common interest. Communities among practioners create a direct link between learning and performance. Wenger is saying that groups of people with shared interests will learn better as they are able to interact with one another regularly.
Prensky's notions on education include the idea that teachers have to learn to communicate in the language and style of their students, therefor adapting themselves to a digital natives way of thinking and in effect helping them to learn quicker. Prensky also believes that teaching much be more"faster, instead of step by step- a more parallell content, with more random access" He also believes 2 contents are vital, Legacy content- readings, writing, arithmetic and Future Content- digital and technological. Lastly Prensky devises his idea that all this could be solved with inventing computer games to educate. Learning takes place in communities, if a community of practice is set up in schools, students could learn better through technology by teachers that are able to relate to students because they have also learnt about technology and ways to incorporate it in a positive way. If teachers are able to learn to communicate in a way that students can understand and relate to their language then the learning process will be a much quicker, efficient process.
Week 10- Q5
What is the Semantic Web?
The Semantic Web(W3C) is a web of data, it provides a common framework that allows data to be shared and reused across applications, enterprise and community boundaries. Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, invented the Semantic Web "a web of data that can be processed directly and indirectly by machines". The Semantic Web allows a person, or machine to star off in one database and move through a never ending set of databases that are all connected. The Semantic web becomes a part of the web and is able to be processed independently of applications, platform etc. It hold virtually boundless information in the form of documents and it also has data as well as documents on the web in order for the computer to make sense of the information requested.
"The vision of the Semantic Web is a “web of data” that not only harnesses the seemingly endless amount of data on the World Wide Web, but also connects that information with data in relational databases and other non-interoperable information repositories, for example, EDI systems."
Week 9/10- Describe the experience of a fictional technophile student in 2020
The term technophiles is used to describe someone who is the opposite to a Neo-Luddite and actually has a love/ enthusiasm for technology, espcially new technology such as the Inet, Mobile Phones, Computers etc. "Technophiles tend to believe that the latest device is more efficient, but in so believing they assume that the value of some pieces of technology is wholly derived from the purpose it serves; if new technology serves some such purpose better than which it threatens to replace then it is to be welcomed"( Graham, 1999:13) What Graham is arguing here is that it may be all very well and good this new technology, constantly replacing something that was new a month ago, but what purpose does new technology have other than that? The new seems to become old, in what seems like weeks nowadays, there is always something better and newer out there!
I think the experience of a fictional student in 2020, will be very different to that of a student studying in 2009. For a start I think that e-learning will take a huge part in learning, I also think if the tution fees continue to rise that less and less people will be able to afford to go university so e-learning will become accessible to all. I think that education will be dependent on advancing technology and I also think that lessons will be less and less taught by teachers, but rather you will be able to interact with a tutor online if you have queries about the learning materials. Perhaps students will no longer even have to go to school/university and everything will be taught online, however there is still the issue os social interaction. This is crucial to a persons development. There are some subjects that can not simply be taught through the internet however, for example medicine, music etc.
A fictional students experience could be:
Wake up, from the alarm on my blackberry, Check what work I have to do for this week on the blackboard on my phone. Emailed my personal tutor to ask for advise on an essay that is due to be emailed in next week. Went on the e-library to access some e-journals and books that I needed to read for this weeks work. Watched the video version of my lecture, and went on my online chat to discuss it with my other colleagues. Never actually met my other university colleagues but we talk via the internet and also on video chat on our mobile phones. I watched the film that we have to analyse on my carry size laptop.
I think the experience of a fictional student in 2020, will be very different to that of a student studying in 2009. For a start I think that e-learning will take a huge part in learning, I also think if the tution fees continue to rise that less and less people will be able to afford to go university so e-learning will become accessible to all. I think that education will be dependent on advancing technology and I also think that lessons will be less and less taught by teachers, but rather you will be able to interact with a tutor online if you have queries about the learning materials. Perhaps students will no longer even have to go to school/university and everything will be taught online, however there is still the issue os social interaction. This is crucial to a persons development. There are some subjects that can not simply be taught through the internet however, for example medicine, music etc.
A fictional students experience could be:
Wake up, from the alarm on my blackberry, Check what work I have to do for this week on the blackboard on my phone. Emailed my personal tutor to ask for advise on an essay that is due to be emailed in next week. Went on the e-library to access some e-journals and books that I needed to read for this weeks work. Watched the video version of my lecture, and went on my online chat to discuss it with my other colleagues. Never actually met my other university colleagues but we talk via the internet and also on video chat on our mobile phones. I watched the film that we have to analyse on my carry size laptop.
Friday, 20 March 2009
Week 9/10- Describe the daily frustrations of a fictional neo-luddite at university now in the uk.
In order for me to describe the daily frustrations of a neo-luddite at univeristy today I mus first consider what a neo-luddite is. Luddite is a historical term relating to a political movement, and a neo-luddite is a term used to describe people or organisations that resist technological advances. Neo-luddites claim that the increase in technology will result in; a totalitarian state, dehumanization, loss of privacy etc.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Luddism)
In a book written by Gordon Graham, titled 'The Internet', Graham presents some of the reasons why neo-luddites are opposed to Technology. "a new and anarchial form of radical social isolation has come into view as individuals live more and more in their own self-chosen (and fantastical) worlds of virtual reality"(Graham, 1999:7)
A neo-luddites day may go something like this:
Woke up for my 9am lecture, and got to the lecture to find it had been cancelled. An email had been sent roung but as I do not have a computer/laptop I could not access it. Later on I went to a seminar where we were dicussing a reading we were suppose to have printed out, I do not have a printer or use the computer so I could not discuss with the rest of the class which left me feeling a little lost and I didn't understand what we were reading. I realised that I needed help with one of my essays I went to my tutors office to arrange a meeting, but he was not there, I tried several times, someone told me I could email her, however I can't as I don't use email. I wanted to hand my essay in, however they don't accept hand written essays it must be word processed. My university friends all were going out after the lecture, I didn't know about it, they said it had been sorted through faecbook and texting but I don't use these or understand them. This left me feeling left out.
In an average day at university, interaction with technology happens almost every lecture or seminar or even study time. A neo-luddite who opposes technology would not be able to go to a lecture without experiencing a powerpoint on a projector. If for example a pupil needed to get in contact with a Lecturer of the University, he/she would need to email them as it would be difficult to get in touch without this. There is also the example of individual study, if a pupil wanted to access the library catalogue this is all done via computers. Most learning materials are accessed through the universities portal or some form of online page. Some pratical seminars that take place use the facility of computers. Neo-luddites would find life at university of a daily basis hard as almost every part of it uses some form of interction with technology. Even if we think of groupwork, a student must be able to get in contact with a group member via mobile phone, email, facebook etc. All of this problems would interupt in a neo-luddites learning process as they would not want to use them. If we think about Prenksys idea of all those who were born in the digital age are digital natives or if not there are digital immigrants, then a neo-luddite would not technically fit in with this presumption. The opposite of which to a neo-luddite, is a technophile which will feature in my next answer.
Does anyone know of any neo-luddites in your friend groups, or family? I was unaware that people oppose the advances in technology so strongly!
In a book written by Gordon Graham, titled 'The Internet', Graham presents some of the reasons why neo-luddites are opposed to Technology. "a new and anarchial form of radical social isolation has come into view as individuals live more and more in their own self-chosen (and fantastical) worlds of virtual reality"(Graham, 1999:7)
A neo-luddites day may go something like this:
Woke up for my 9am lecture, and got to the lecture to find it had been cancelled. An email had been sent roung but as I do not have a computer/laptop I could not access it. Later on I went to a seminar where we were dicussing a reading we were suppose to have printed out, I do not have a printer or use the computer so I could not discuss with the rest of the class which left me feeling a little lost and I didn't understand what we were reading. I realised that I needed help with one of my essays I went to my tutors office to arrange a meeting, but he was not there, I tried several times, someone told me I could email her, however I can't as I don't use email. I wanted to hand my essay in, however they don't accept hand written essays it must be word processed. My university friends all were going out after the lecture, I didn't know about it, they said it had been sorted through faecbook and texting but I don't use these or understand them. This left me feeling left out.
In an average day at university, interaction with technology happens almost every lecture or seminar or even study time. A neo-luddite who opposes technology would not be able to go to a lecture without experiencing a powerpoint on a projector. If for example a pupil needed to get in contact with a Lecturer of the University, he/she would need to email them as it would be difficult to get in touch without this. There is also the example of individual study, if a pupil wanted to access the library catalogue this is all done via computers. Most learning materials are accessed through the universities portal or some form of online page. Some pratical seminars that take place use the facility of computers. Neo-luddites would find life at university of a daily basis hard as almost every part of it uses some form of interction with technology. Even if we think of groupwork, a student must be able to get in contact with a group member via mobile phone, email, facebook etc. All of this problems would interupt in a neo-luddites learning process as they would not want to use them. If we think about Prenksys idea of all those who were born in the digital age are digital natives or if not there are digital immigrants, then a neo-luddite would not technically fit in with this presumption. The opposite of which to a neo-luddite, is a technophile which will feature in my next answer.
Does anyone know of any neo-luddites in your friend groups, or family? I was unaware that people oppose the advances in technology so strongly!
Week 9/10- A Person Who Most Threatens the Notion of Native/Immigrant in Digital Culture
The divide between digital immigrants and digital immigrants largely relies on age. If it is as Prensky believed that younger generations born in the digital age are digital natives, and older generation born in the analogue age are digital immigrants then a person that can threaten this notion must be of the older generation but as familiar with technology as a native. Bearing this in mind, I find that my Dad threatens the notion of immigrant/native.
My dad is 52, and is obviously born after the digital age however he is a journalist and is constantly using computers and software in his job. My dad owns an i-pod and regularly uses his mobile phone, and he uses Internet to buy things rather than always using shops. He uses email, and edits most of his stories on the computer rather than printing it out to correct. He may not be at the point of using the Internet on his phone and downloading music/movies but he certainly poses a threat to the divide between immigrants and natives. In my Dad's type of work the technology is ever changing and he has to be the first to know whats, what. So maybe the divide isn't at as prominent as was once thought. There is no denying that there are natives and immigrants however, can immigrants become natives. There are some people who are older and more efficient/ skilled in technology than those who grew up with it.
My dad is 52, and is obviously born after the digital age however he is a journalist and is constantly using computers and software in his job. My dad owns an i-pod and regularly uses his mobile phone, and he uses Internet to buy things rather than always using shops. He uses email, and edits most of his stories on the computer rather than printing it out to correct. He may not be at the point of using the Internet on his phone and downloading music/movies but he certainly poses a threat to the divide between immigrants and natives. In my Dad's type of work the technology is ever changing and he has to be the first to know whats, what. So maybe the divide isn't at as prominent as was once thought. There is no denying that there are natives and immigrants however, can immigrants become natives. There are some people who are older and more efficient/ skilled in technology than those who grew up with it.
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