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IS10010
TWEETING TODAY - EVERYONE
OFFICE HOUR: FRIDAYS 3.10-4.10 PM ROOM 108
SCHOOL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION STUDIES](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/lecture5-globaldigitaldivide-140807050958-phpapp02/85/Introduction-to-the-Global-Digital-Divide-1-320.jpg)
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Introduction to the Global Digital Divide
The document outlines the global digital divide, highlighting issues like internet access, socio-economic barriers, and cultural differences impacting technology usage and education. It emphasizes the importance of ICT adoption for economic growth and effective governance, while addressing challenges faced by marginalized individuals, including those with disabilities. The document also references the World Summit on the Information Society and discusses potential educational benefits through improved access to technology.
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Introduction to the Global Digital Divide
- 1. [GLOBAL] DIGITAL DIVIDE IS10010 TWEETING TODAY- EVERYONE OFFICE HOUR: FRIDAYS 3.10-4.10 PM ROOM 108 SCHOOL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION STUDIES
- 2. Definition Internetaccess & Globalization of technology and technology skills Challenges of Global Digital Access World Summit on the Information Society Education & Economics Effective Government Cultural and Economic differences Social Class and Access to Technology Individuals with disability Overview / Conclusions AGENDA
- 3. RECAP What isinformation Information has value Information Revolutions and devices Infrastructure supporting the Internet Information Society where information related activities are a significant economic activity Information policy and how it can encourage or discourage access to information at a global, national or even corporate level.
- 4. IMAGINE IF ITHAD NEVER STARTED http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcboST0evqE&list=PLE 112CDAA050373D1
- 5.
- 6. Barriers • Culture •Socio-economic class • Geographic location WHY IS ACCESS TO THE INTERNET A PROBLEM Image: http://wireless.ictp.trieste.it/simulator/map.html
- 7. TECHNOLOGY AND ICT SKILLS Image‘:http://wiki.nus.edu.sg/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=19039171
- 8. CHALLENGES OF GLOBAL DIGITALACCESS Image http://http://rosieleavyict.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/poverty.html
- 9. WHY IS PROVIDING ACCESSSO DIFFICULT It’s often a larger divide than just ‘Digital’ Health, Economic, Infrastructure can also be challenges in these countries. Governments often have other priorities; • Education and literacy • Health issues – like infant mortality and AIDS • Overpopulation • Housing and hunger
- 10.
- 11. WORLD POPULATION Image Lhttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/World_population.PNG
- 12. The World atnight: Electricity Consumption Image from: http://irevolution.net/2013/02/02/pulse-of-the-planet/
- 13. The World: Informationconsumption Image from: http://irevolution.net/2013/02/02/pulse-of-the-planet/
- 14. The World: heatmap,based n the no. of photos submitted to Panaramio Image from: http://irevolution.net/2013/02/02/pulse-of-the-planet/
- 15. Europe & NorthAfrica: geo-located tweets and Flickr photos Image from: http://irevolution.net/2013/02/02/pulse-of-the-planet/
- 16. Europe: Friendship tieson Facebook Image from: http://irevolution.net/2013/02/02/pulse-of-the-planet/
- 17. WORLD SUMMIT ONTHE INFORMATION SOCIETY Image: http://www.itu.int/en/osg/speeches/Pages/2010-05-10-2.aspx Geneva – 2003 Tunis - 2005 Yearly forums thereafter Annual project prizes
- 18. EDUCATION ICT canimprove education • Access to better quality via distance learning • Adult education • Access to information > knowledge • Improves economic competiveness • Economic and political knowledge • BETTER IMFORMED POPULATION
- 19. ECONOMICS Adoption ofICT is fundamental to economic growth > Increased trade > Better employment http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4N8xsdo2vQ • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- 20. EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT E-governmentstrategies Promote innovation and transparency in public sector Allow and foster ICT access
- 21. CULTURE AND ECONOMIC DIFFERENCES Socio-economicstatus and culture are sometimes connected.
- 22. SOCIAL CLASS AND ACCESSTO TECHNOLOGY Children of lower income families are less likely to have access to a PC at home. When they do, they are less likely to use it. • Lack of internet connection Schools in lower income areas are likely to have a higher student to pc ratio Schools need greater technical support • Set up and use ICT
- 23. EXERCISE In groupsdiscuss how the digital divide has or has not impacted on your life • 2 minutes • Report back
- 24. INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITY • Barriers •How web pages are encoded • Cost / Funding • TRAINING - User and Teacher • Opportunities • Exposure • Benefits; • Communication and Social Life • Education – Instructional Method Evolution
- 25. WHAT IS THEDIGITAL DIVIDE TODAY? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn18X4-PSPc
- 26. NEXT LECTURE InformationOverload and Attention
Editor's Notes
- #2 Today we are going to look at the distribution of and access to the internet and ICT as well as the advantages to be gained from closing the gap between technology haves and have not’s. Issues in this area include not just access to ICT, infrastructure, hardware, but also cultural issues like location, economics and disabilities which may prevent access. While attention to this area began with a discussion about the Global digital divide, the digital divide can in fact happen at any level of society, global, continental, national, regional, etc.
- #4 This far we have looked at a wide variety of topics, all of which have some relevance to the digital divide debate.
- #5 Because of this divide – whether within a country, or a community, or globally, some individuals have an advantage over other because of their ability to access ICT and information. This gap also effects their ability to take part in the rapid sharing of ideas. Video 5 min - translation – so excuse some of the english…
- #6 The oxford english dictionary defines the digital divide as
- #7 This map visualised the distribution of access to the internet globally. It illustrates significant differences very clearly, like the comparison between north America and Africa. Access to the internet and ICT for all kinds of groups of people is increasingly important, as economic equity, social equity, and educational access have become entwined. Without these one cannot partake in the information age, and are left at a disadvantage. Barriers to participation include culture, socio-economic class and geographic location. These can prevent or limit ability to part-take in the global economy, or even just communicate with the outside world. For example while democracies tend to spread ICT and internet access authoritarian states are less likely to Howard (2006). Which side of the digital divide you are on is determined by economic factors or your social class. Web site design can be a barrier to those with disabilities, for example the use of flash, java, javascript and hardcoded formatting can all cause difficulties. One major barrier is literacy in the first place. You can’t be information literate if you are not literate in the first place. We’ll talk about information literacy later in the module.
- #8 When considering technology and ICT skills it is important to recognise that computers have become essential to our daily life – social networking, the work place, r & d are all very familiar to us. Access to ICT can enable the reduction of the gap between technology have’s and have not’s. Rodino-Colocino (2006) states that the "ability to gather access and assimilate information is essential for economic and social well being “. Basically, society needs people with the proper skills for economic reasons…
- #9 This map illustrates the number of PC’s per 100 people globally. It makes it clear that more people in the developed world access to ICT than those in the developing world. Here we can see developing counties have far less provision. Africa, Asia and South America are at a noticeable disadvantage – as with the previous map showing internet connectivity.
- #10 Providing access is proving difficult because it’s often a larger divide than just ‘Digital’. Governments are facing challenges with regard to far more basic things, to be concerned with bridging the digital divide within, and without their countries. For example: Health Issues, Economic development, Infrastructure growth like roads provision, water and sewerage systems can also be challenges in these countries. Governments often have other priorities such as; Education and literacy – the internet is of no use if you can’t read, and don’t understand English, introducing the need to learn a second language. Health issues – like infant mortality and AIDS Overpopulation Housing and hunger Some solutions have been found but they are far from ideal and all demand invesment. From lack of power, to lack of network, issues are circumvented with the use of solar power cells, and low speed internet connections. However personal wealth is an issue. You need access to some kind of technology device to be able to access the internet – this is beyond the reach of many people who are living in poverty. Not only that but some kind of power to run it and training to be able to use it effectively.
- #19 We have seen that education is a prerequisite for particiation. ICT can improve education by providing Access to better quality via distance learning > solves some issues with teacher shortage and availability – Australia… Radio > Internet huge distances.. Acess Adult education Access to information >allowing for the building of knowledge Improved economic competiveness Economic and political knowledge Creating a BETTER IMFORMED POPULATION It is of importance to note that cultural issues may play a part in the education system. Question to consider - Is the internet, like the education system skewed to the advantage of the white male? ICT MAY HAVE EVOLVED IN THE WEST AND THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS THAT IT ERODES LOCAL CULTURES AND IDENTIES, BUT THE COUNTER ARGUMENT IS THAT AS Populations BECOME FAMILIAR WITHIT, THEY ADAPT IT TO FIT THEIR NEEDS AND CONTEXT. Localizations include ICT being provided in local languages, but also local knowledge being made available as online content. It could be argued that ICT is a way to bridge the digital divide, and help provide improved life styles. This fits in with goal #8 of the Millennium Development goals. ICT empowers decision making for all kind of people, for farmers negotiating grain prices, to informing the voting public.
- #20 The population in developing countries is younger. ICT combined with better educational opportunities can help them have a better economic future. Increased access also increases business efficiency and productivity, connecting people to global markets. It helps lower costs, however the initial investment required of each stakeholder (government, corporation, school, individual) can be a significant barrier to participation. Counters include initiative like this [video] The Bill and Melinda Gate foundation has an international grant system and state that “We work with partner organizations worldwide to tackle critical problems in four program areas. Our Global Development Division works to help the world’s poorest people lift themselves out of hunger and poverty. Our Global Health Division aims to harness advances in science and technology to save lives in developing countries. Our United States Division works to improve U.S. high school and postsecondary education and support vulnerable children and families in Washington State. And our Global Policy & Advocacy Division seeks to build strategic relationships and promote policies that will help advance our work. Our approach to grantmaking in all four areas emphasizes collaboration, innovation, risk-taking, and, most importantly, results. “ http://www.gatesfoundation.org/What-We-Do
- #21 Greater access to ICT and the internet can lead to greater participation… in democracy. From motor taxation and planning, to income tax returns and social networking campaigns to change. It builds to less opportunity for corruption, and a more open society, where people are more aware of their rights.
- #22 Cultural differences and issues need to be identified before any solution or strategy is put in place. Because cultures differ so do what they value. For example a culture might value family and personal communication, leading to it’s people using more face-to-face than internet communication. Sub-cultures can also differ – African –Americans are more likely to download music, or play games online.
- #23 In all countries…
- #25 Aside from the issue of cost to the individual, many of whom are marginalized and unable to work, further barriers exist for individuals with disability regarding participation in the information age- or information society. For those with disabilities how a web pages is encoded can dictate whether they can access the content or not, especially in relation to multimedia content. Images should have encoded descriptions. Other technologies that cause issues include pdf files, plug in applets, fonts, java, flash. Often screen readers are need to strip cascading style sheet coding. Sites that are particularly challenging include internet shopping sites… which are often predominated by links and images without context. Here this is considered discrimination and there are actually guidelines for web site designers for the Disability Authority. While web design has become more complex over time, creating more visually appealing sites, the challenge is to ensure that sites remain accessible to all visitors. In relation to the use of ICT tools in education, training is required for both the educator and the student in order to make the most of what’s on offer. For individuals with disability ICT and the internet give the chance to have increased exposure of their disability and issues, through blogs, websites, and groups. Experiences can be shared, and expose can help breakdown some of the more common stereotypes. On the other hand opportunities arise. For example communication and Social life are improved for those with speech and hearing difficulties… Can read responses.. Use text instead… Opportunities for friendships, access to online support groups, activist networks etc. especially those in remote locations, or with rare conditions.
- #26 UN report October 2012 – asserted that the international ‘digital divide’ is closing as a steady fall in worldwide costs of telephone and broadband Internet services has enabled a number of developing countries to expand their access to information and communication technology (ICT). The report says that developing countries now account for the “lion’s share” of market growth in the mobile sector. The report also shows that the ICT sector has not only become a major contributor to economic growth, but is especially so in developing countries. It states: “While prices in developed economies have stabilized, those in developing countries continue to fall at double-digit rates,” But, the digital divide – generally defined as the difference in levels of ICT access between developed and developing countries – remains significant. Developed countries register average “connectivity” values that are twice that of their developing counterparts on the Geneva-based agency’s ICT Development Index (IDI). From http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=43265&Cr=digital+divide&Cr1=#.UkGrytLktNQ Recap on today: [video] So after all that can you answer the question what is the digital divide?