After many attempts this have been decided by me as the best one for my first go.. Im not pro but I'm hoping to be a bit better by the end of the semester.. haha..
Monday, August 23, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
My journey so far... and a lil bit more..
This part of my blog will now change from Learning with Technology to Graphic Design 1.2. I’ve decided that my blog will go through my learning with me, changing from each unit as I go through them. So I will always have a record of my years at uni. =] The main focus for my GD class revolves around the Emissions Trading Scheme or better known as the ETS. The ETS is a concept that the Government wants to put into ACTION, so that it can reduce greenhouse gases and they feel with the concept of ETS, they can do this by putting a price on carbon. By putting a price on carbon and limiting how much greenhouse gases are admitted into the atmosphere, they can reduce the changes that the gases have on the world, the biggest affect they have is the changing the world’s climate. The ETS is a fairly simple idea, businesses and companies have the opportunity to buy carbon cards and this card allows you to emit a certain amount of carbon into the atmosphere. There is only a certain amount of carbon cards, so once they have all been bought, they can only be traded and bought out between companies and anyone else who wants to own one. By placing the ETS into play we can reduce not only the amount of damage the carbon and other gases are doing, but we can help stop the severity of climate change around the world.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Magazine Opinion Piece..
Moving past the digital divide
Teachers and educators are not the only ones realising that there is a digital divide, not only between students and teachers but with other professions. It is becoming more and more common to have a required knowledge of computers and all things digital. Most people wouldn’t even know what a digital divide is because they have been brought into the world of technology from when they were born, everything is natural to them. But a “digital divide refers to the gap between people with effective access to digital and information technology, and those with very limited or no access at all. It includes the imbalance both in physical access to technology and the resources and skills needed to effectively participate as a digital citizen.” [1]
To be able to move past this digital divide we first must understand why there is even a divide. Those in first world countries have the advantage as they have all easier access to such technologies, but although some countries may be first world, they still have poverty stricken areas and people struggling to makes ends meat and can’t afford the luxury of such technological advances such as computers. Now you have to take into account all the second world countries, some are up and coming and slowly starting make their way up to first world countries such as China, these countries do have the access to such technologies and the ability to effectively use them. Although China does have access to these vices there are some who don’t. Lastly the third world countries, those who are in power and wealthy are able to have the teachings and access to use digital devices but the majority of the people that live in those countries are in poverty and struggle to feed themselves. Below is a picture of the world map highlighting the first, second and third world countries.
· Blue indicates all the 1st world countries.
· Red indicates all the 2nd world countries.
· Green indicates all the 3rd world countries.
As you can see the vast majority of the world is highlighted green indicating that those countries and their populations are the ones most affected by the digital divide. While the 1st and 2nd world countries have higher access to such technologies with only a few minor technology restrictions on access to such technologies.
Now we must find out how we can move past this ‘divide’, debate has raged on exactly what the main problems with the divide is, in the article titled “ICT Inclusion and Gender: Tensions in Narratives of Network Engineer Training” written by Hazel Gillard, Nathalie Mitev, and Susan Scott from the Department of Information Systems, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom, states that “Social commentators, such as Castells (2000), associate nonaccess to ICTs with risk of exclusion from new technological developments and consequent marginalization in the new economy. As the digital divide debate has progressed, there is realization that the core issues are about more than just access to equipment.” [2] As a result “efforts are being made to tackle inequities in ICT opportunities through, for instance, community-based Internet access and training programs. To balance the divide, communities of the population perceived most at risk of digital exclusion are targeted through partnerships between government, ICT businesses, and educational institutions in the United Kingdom, to acquire essential ICT and employability skills.” [3] This information that the article provides, gives the reader a brief idea of what to expect to move past the divide between those with digital literacy and those that don’t. Although this is only one step in moving past this growing digital divide, not only with those that have access but to give an idea on what is expected to make an impact overall, the focus being greater training and access to such means that they are able to better themselves not only in their careers but in your personal life.
Overall the article has a main focus of analysis that our ICT skills need improving and more and more careers are requiring even just a basic knowledge and because of this, shortages in fields that require a high knowledge are now suffering. This article also discusses that females are less skilled in the world of ICT than men. This isn’t surprising when you realise that there are a lot more housewives then housemen and this makes a big difference when it comes to learning skills that require it for a job or career, as men being in opposite role as the breadwinner needs these skills to better support their families and lifestyles. This is just one part of what is required to help move past the great digital divide. Big changes would have to be made all over the world, our economy could receive downfalls and problems but if we are to remove the divide and in the end better ourselves as a whole. The information provided from Wikipedia and the journal article “ICT Inclusion and Gender: Tensions in Narratives of Network Engineer Training” give only a brief offering of information on what is the digital divide and ways we can overcome it. Only with more research and patience can we realise this ourselves and move forward and cross the digital divide where we can move to a more equal opportunity world, not only for first world countries but also second and third. Thus as a result it could help bring countries closer and may end conflict across the world, but this is just a theory based upon my findings.
References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_divide
[2] [3] Gillard, Hazel, Nathalie Mitev, and Susan Scott “ICT Inclusion and Gender: Tensions in Narratives of Network Engineer Training.” Information Society 23, no. 1 (January 2007): 19-37. Academic Search Premier, EBSCO host (accessed July 29, 2010)
Teachers and educators are not the only ones realising that there is a digital divide, not only between students and teachers but with other professions. It is becoming more and more common to have a required knowledge of computers and all things digital. Most people wouldn’t even know what a digital divide is because they have been brought into the world of technology from when they were born, everything is natural to them. But a “digital divide refers to the gap between people with effective access to digital and information technology, and those with very limited or no access at all. It includes the imbalance both in physical access to technology and the resources and skills needed to effectively participate as a digital citizen.” [1]
To be able to move past this digital divide we first must understand why there is even a divide. Those in first world countries have the advantage as they have all easier access to such technologies, but although some countries may be first world, they still have poverty stricken areas and people struggling to makes ends meat and can’t afford the luxury of such technological advances such as computers. Now you have to take into account all the second world countries, some are up and coming and slowly starting make their way up to first world countries such as China, these countries do have the access to such technologies and the ability to effectively use them. Although China does have access to these vices there are some who don’t. Lastly the third world countries, those who are in power and wealthy are able to have the teachings and access to use digital devices but the majority of the people that live in those countries are in poverty and struggle to feed themselves. Below is a picture of the world map highlighting the first, second and third world countries.
· Blue indicates all the 1st world countries.
· Red indicates all the 2nd world countries.
· Green indicates all the 3rd world countries.
As you can see the vast majority of the world is highlighted green indicating that those countries and their populations are the ones most affected by the digital divide. While the 1st and 2nd world countries have higher access to such technologies with only a few minor technology restrictions on access to such technologies.
Now we must find out how we can move past this ‘divide’, debate has raged on exactly what the main problems with the divide is, in the article titled “ICT Inclusion and Gender: Tensions in Narratives of Network Engineer Training” written by Hazel Gillard, Nathalie Mitev, and Susan Scott from the Department of Information Systems, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom, states that “Social commentators, such as Castells (2000), associate nonaccess to ICTs with risk of exclusion from new technological developments and consequent marginalization in the new economy. As the digital divide debate has progressed, there is realization that the core issues are about more than just access to equipment.” [2] As a result “efforts are being made to tackle inequities in ICT opportunities through, for instance, community-based Internet access and training programs. To balance the divide, communities of the population perceived most at risk of digital exclusion are targeted through partnerships between government, ICT businesses, and educational institutions in the United Kingdom, to acquire essential ICT and employability skills.” [3] This information that the article provides, gives the reader a brief idea of what to expect to move past the divide between those with digital literacy and those that don’t. Although this is only one step in moving past this growing digital divide, not only with those that have access but to give an idea on what is expected to make an impact overall, the focus being greater training and access to such means that they are able to better themselves not only in their careers but in your personal life.
Overall the article has a main focus of analysis that our ICT skills need improving and more and more careers are requiring even just a basic knowledge and because of this, shortages in fields that require a high knowledge are now suffering. This article also discusses that females are less skilled in the world of ICT than men. This isn’t surprising when you realise that there are a lot more housewives then housemen and this makes a big difference when it comes to learning skills that require it for a job or career, as men being in opposite role as the breadwinner needs these skills to better support their families and lifestyles. This is just one part of what is required to help move past the great digital divide. Big changes would have to be made all over the world, our economy could receive downfalls and problems but if we are to remove the divide and in the end better ourselves as a whole. The information provided from Wikipedia and the journal article “ICT Inclusion and Gender: Tensions in Narratives of Network Engineer Training” give only a brief offering of information on what is the digital divide and ways we can overcome it. Only with more research and patience can we realise this ourselves and move forward and cross the digital divide where we can move to a more equal opportunity world, not only for first world countries but also second and third. Thus as a result it could help bring countries closer and may end conflict across the world, but this is just a theory based upon my findings.
References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_divide
[2] [3] Gillard, Hazel, Nathalie Mitev, and Susan Scott “ICT Inclusion and Gender: Tensions in Narratives of Network Engineer Training.” Information Society 23, no. 1 (January 2007): 19-37. Academic Search Premier, EBSCO host (accessed July 29, 2010)
Thursday, July 22, 2010
References Topic 2..
[1] "I gave up MySpace for Lent: New Teachers and Social Networking Site" Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy (November 2008) : 245 -247 Academic Search Premier EBSCO host (accessed July 12, 2010)
[2] "How to win at Social Networking." Futurist 43, no. 4 (July 2009) : 9. Academic Search Premier EBSCO host (accessed July 15, 2010)
[3] Keech, Linda. "Be Socially Savvy."Nursing Managment UK 17, no. 4 (July 2010) : 11. Academic Search Premier, EBSCO host(accessed July 15, 2010)
[4] Tanase, S. "When Web 2.0 sneezes... everyone gets sick." Engineering & Technology (17509637)s, no. 5 (March 27, 2010) : 28-29. Academic Search Premier, EBSCO host (accessed July 17, 2010)
[2] "How to win at Social Networking." Futurist 43, no. 4 (July 2009) : 9. Academic Search Premier EBSCO host (accessed July 15, 2010)
[3] Keech, Linda. "Be Socially Savvy."Nursing Managment UK 17, no. 4 (July 2010) : 11. Academic Search Premier, EBSCO host(accessed July 15, 2010)
[4] Tanase, S. "When Web 2.0 sneezes... everyone gets sick." Engineering & Technology (17509637)s, no. 5 (March 27, 2010) : 28-29. Academic Search Premier, EBSCO host (accessed July 17, 2010)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Final one...
“When web 2.0 sneezes... everyone gets sick” is the title of the article that I decided to finish researching social networking on. The article discusses the problem that yes web 2.0 and all social networking sites have grown in popularity over the years but also that so has the number of crimes occurred via those sites. “So why are Web 2.0 attacks on the rise? It all comes down to economies of scale and effectiveness: cybercriminals will always go where the crowds are.” [4] All different problems have occurred such as viruses and worms that send to all your friends and infect their accounts at the same time. Selling passwords and private details are on the rise but why is this happening and how can we protect ourselves? Simple hard passwords and anti-virus software but even then there is a chance you can no longer be safe. Although web 2.0 is extremely popular and social networking taking the world by storm, there appears to be numerous problems to this growing attraction with only a few minor benefits. But even though I have come to this conclusion I would also believe that if you know how to protect yourself online then there is no problem with using such sites.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Nurses? What next?
For my topic I wanted to look into different areas of social networking and who it does affect, I found this journal article on how social networking can affect nurses. I found it quite interesting, although short it has I believe a powerful impact on you, I never thought that social networking sites could be such a problem for nurses. The author Linda Keech was quoted saying
“Nurses and midwives who use these sites to engage in conversations or share files online must be careful, therefore, that they do not breach the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NM C) (2008a) code, which states that nurses must ‘respect people’s right to confidentiality’ and ‘uphold the reputation of the profession at all times’. If information that identifies patients is put on the internet, patient confidentiality has been breached. This principle is not only enshrined in the midwives’ code of conduct, but is also part of every employee’s duty of confidence, and those who breach patient confidentiality in this way face disciplinary action, perhaps leading to dismissal.” [3]
It’s hard not hard to believe that anyone hasn’t done the same thing, whinges about work or had a issue that they have at work, they published on their facebook account. But just like teachers, nurses also have to be careful about their reputations and careers. So in the end is it just safer to not have a social networking page? Evidence suggests that it would be, but some are fighting this as they feel that just because you have a career in the public eye doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to have the benefits of socialising on Facebook or MySpace just like every other person that doesn’t have that problem.
“Nurses and midwives who use these sites to engage in conversations or share files online must be careful, therefore, that they do not breach the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NM C) (2008a) code, which states that nurses must ‘respect people’s right to confidentiality’ and ‘uphold the reputation of the profession at all times’. If information that identifies patients is put on the internet, patient confidentiality has been breached. This principle is not only enshrined in the midwives’ code of conduct, but is also part of every employee’s duty of confidence, and those who breach patient confidentiality in this way face disciplinary action, perhaps leading to dismissal.” [3]
It’s hard not hard to believe that anyone hasn’t done the same thing, whinges about work or had a issue that they have at work, they published on their facebook account. But just like teachers, nurses also have to be careful about their reputations and careers. So in the end is it just safer to not have a social networking page? Evidence suggests that it would be, but some are fighting this as they feel that just because you have a career in the public eye doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to have the benefits of socialising on Facebook or MySpace just like every other person that doesn’t have that problem.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Research Analysis Topic 2..
“Social networking over the internet has taken the world by storm- revolutionizing the way people communicate by allowing users to publish their private lives on a world stage. A study conducted by the Pew Research Centre revealed that: As of August 2009, Facebook was the most popular online social network for American adults.” [1] With positives of social networking comes the problems and flaws that the majority of users are unaware of; the articles that make up the basis of this analysis explain in greater detail just what can go wrong. The first journal article is “Friend request or Foe? Confirming the misuse of internet and social networking sites by domestic violence perpetrators” By Laurie L. Baughman, who is a Senior Attorney at the Pennsylvania Coalition against domestic violence. The second journal article is “I gave up MySpace for Lent: New Teachers and Social Networking Sites” By William Kist a teacher at Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. Both articles relate to the problems of social networking but take on completely different aspects.
“Friend request or Foe? Confirming the misuse of internet and social networking sites by domestic violence perpetrators” is an article written by a senior attorney on the use of social networking in domestic violence situations. The author discusses the vulnerability of a victim of domestic violence to be further harassed or bullied through such mediums, as FaceBook and MySpace the world’s most used online social networks. “The use of social networking sites is especially appealing because users can avail themselves to many different applications in one place; social networking sites rely on connections and communication, so they encourage you to provide a certain amount of personal information. It is this personal information- both held by the site provider and posted either by the user or by friends and family of that user- that can be source of weakness for victims of domestic violence.” [2] This provides evidence that there are flaws of the social networking sites and gives an example of what can happen for it to become an issue not only for victims of domestic violence, but for the perpetrators who use this aid to follow their victim without leaving their computer. Although this article does illustrate some flaws to the system it also made note that there are positives to the use of social networking to help a victim of domestic violence.
The journal article “Friend request or Foe” by Laurie L. Baughman did display negatives of social networking but it also presents positives to social networking to help victims of domestic violence. In recent years with the growing problem of domestic violence the way we use internet has changed to help suit the demanding need for support and advice to aid victims in all areas of domestic violence. “Victims of domestic violence indicated that they use the internet for money management or online banking, to search for housing, to look for a job” [3] as well joining online social networks for support and advice. So there are defiantly both benefits and flaws discussed in the journal article by Laurie L. Baughman but this article only covers one part of the problems of social networking, the article “I gave up MySpace for Lent: New Teachers and Social Networking Sites” By William Kist covers a different area of the problems of social networking.
One of the topics raised in the article “I gave up MySpace for Lent” is the rising concern for preservice teachers and their use of social networking. “Just as we stand on the brink of what may, in the next decade or so, be the first real evolution of public schools in close to 100 years, we are telling teachers “You can’t participate in Web 2.0 because it’s too dangerous.”” [4] The fear factor with web 2.0 which mainly consist of social networking sites is that if a student finds a teachers profile and there is inappropriate material found it will have serious consequences on the teacher’s career. “Principles are googling for information on undergrads before they are allowed into their buildings for student teaching.” [5] This links to the issue of online social networking and what is appropriate for our teachers to be using and what the rising problems and issues for social networking. But although the article “I gave up MySpace for Lent” has a negative side to social networking it also has a comparison side where there are positives to having a connection with students via Web 2.0 sites.
One of the positives introduced by the article which has a encouraging attitude in the way it may help students better themselves and achieve a better result, it may even help students personally make them feel better about themselves because someone does care about them. One of the students interviewed for the article states “Why society is so frightened of teachers having genuine relationships with students (mentors and friends). Developing a trust in their teachers and having a genuine relationship with a teacher helps a student to get the best education he or she can, because it helps the teacher to understand the individual student and his or her needs. If we forget the basic cause of education, it’s all a lost cause.” [6] Some students need extra help or support and this article takes that into mind as it approaches both sides of the issues of social networking.
This analysis as demonstrated that social networking is not a simple issue. There are many different aspects, both problems and benefits. As shown that although domestic violence has been taken to a whole new level with the use of social networking, being able to track down and further harm victims but that there is a positive and that there are available supports groups, that use online social networking sites. I have also argued that there are problems with social networking sites for future and current teachers, with the danger of embarrassing or inappropriate pictures or comments made but that the use of social networking, could also be a powerful tool to help bring teachers and students together, thus resulting in better relationships and in the end helping the students achieve more in their education. The implications of this issue are that we must be aware of what and how we present ourselves online, not only to protect ourselves but anyone that may have consequences from our actions. Our next steps should be to further educate and display a positive image across the internet, and to also have the knowledge and means to protect ourselves better online.
References
[1] [2] [3]
Bauchman. Laurie L. "FRIEND REQUEST OR FOE? Confirming the misuse of internet and social networking sites by domestic violence perpetrators" Widener Law Journal 19, no 3 (June 2010) : 933-966 Academic Search Premier EBSCO host (accessed July 12, 2010)
[4] [5] [6]
Kist. William. "I gave up MySpace for Lent: New Teachers and Social Networking Site" Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy (November 2008) : 245 -247 Academic Search Premier EBSCO host (accessed July 12, 2010)
“Friend request or Foe? Confirming the misuse of internet and social networking sites by domestic violence perpetrators” is an article written by a senior attorney on the use of social networking in domestic violence situations. The author discusses the vulnerability of a victim of domestic violence to be further harassed or bullied through such mediums, as FaceBook and MySpace the world’s most used online social networks. “The use of social networking sites is especially appealing because users can avail themselves to many different applications in one place; social networking sites rely on connections and communication, so they encourage you to provide a certain amount of personal information. It is this personal information- both held by the site provider and posted either by the user or by friends and family of that user- that can be source of weakness for victims of domestic violence.” [2] This provides evidence that there are flaws of the social networking sites and gives an example of what can happen for it to become an issue not only for victims of domestic violence, but for the perpetrators who use this aid to follow their victim without leaving their computer. Although this article does illustrate some flaws to the system it also made note that there are positives to the use of social networking to help a victim of domestic violence.
The journal article “Friend request or Foe” by Laurie L. Baughman did display negatives of social networking but it also presents positives to social networking to help victims of domestic violence. In recent years with the growing problem of domestic violence the way we use internet has changed to help suit the demanding need for support and advice to aid victims in all areas of domestic violence. “Victims of domestic violence indicated that they use the internet for money management or online banking, to search for housing, to look for a job” [3] as well joining online social networks for support and advice. So there are defiantly both benefits and flaws discussed in the journal article by Laurie L. Baughman but this article only covers one part of the problems of social networking, the article “I gave up MySpace for Lent: New Teachers and Social Networking Sites” By William Kist covers a different area of the problems of social networking.
One of the topics raised in the article “I gave up MySpace for Lent” is the rising concern for preservice teachers and their use of social networking. “Just as we stand on the brink of what may, in the next decade or so, be the first real evolution of public schools in close to 100 years, we are telling teachers “You can’t participate in Web 2.0 because it’s too dangerous.”” [4] The fear factor with web 2.0 which mainly consist of social networking sites is that if a student finds a teachers profile and there is inappropriate material found it will have serious consequences on the teacher’s career. “Principles are googling for information on undergrads before they are allowed into their buildings for student teaching.” [5] This links to the issue of online social networking and what is appropriate for our teachers to be using and what the rising problems and issues for social networking. But although the article “I gave up MySpace for Lent” has a negative side to social networking it also has a comparison side where there are positives to having a connection with students via Web 2.0 sites.
One of the positives introduced by the article which has a encouraging attitude in the way it may help students better themselves and achieve a better result, it may even help students personally make them feel better about themselves because someone does care about them. One of the students interviewed for the article states “Why society is so frightened of teachers having genuine relationships with students (mentors and friends). Developing a trust in their teachers and having a genuine relationship with a teacher helps a student to get the best education he or she can, because it helps the teacher to understand the individual student and his or her needs. If we forget the basic cause of education, it’s all a lost cause.” [6] Some students need extra help or support and this article takes that into mind as it approaches both sides of the issues of social networking.
This analysis as demonstrated that social networking is not a simple issue. There are many different aspects, both problems and benefits. As shown that although domestic violence has been taken to a whole new level with the use of social networking, being able to track down and further harm victims but that there is a positive and that there are available supports groups, that use online social networking sites. I have also argued that there are problems with social networking sites for future and current teachers, with the danger of embarrassing or inappropriate pictures or comments made but that the use of social networking, could also be a powerful tool to help bring teachers and students together, thus resulting in better relationships and in the end helping the students achieve more in their education. The implications of this issue are that we must be aware of what and how we present ourselves online, not only to protect ourselves but anyone that may have consequences from our actions. Our next steps should be to further educate and display a positive image across the internet, and to also have the knowledge and means to protect ourselves better online.
References
[1] [2] [3]
Bauchman. Laurie L. "FRIEND REQUEST OR FOE? Confirming the misuse of internet and social networking sites by domestic violence perpetrators" Widener Law Journal 19, no 3 (June 2010) : 933-966 Academic Search Premier EBSCO host (accessed July 12, 2010)
[4] [5] [6]
Kist. William. "I gave up MySpace for Lent: New Teachers and Social Networking Site" Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy (November 2008) : 245 -247 Academic Search Premier EBSCO host (accessed July 12, 2010)
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