harrisedu-blog

[harrisedu-blog]

Digital Divide and Digital Equity (Blog Post #3)

Today we live in a society where we have access to all the information of the world at the instant command of our digital technologies. What we find today is a “distinction between information rich and information poor members of society” (Pazurek & Feyissa, 2015). This is defined as “Digital Divide”. I’d define this term in my own words as a lack of access to digital aspects due to circumstances of ability to obtain. What I mean is that some may not be as fortunate of others to upgrade as the world does on a regular basis to keep up with what continues to change. These digital technologies provide what is called “Digital Equity”. It means “individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy” (The National Digital Inclusion Alliance, 2016). In my own words, I’d simply put it as the resulting effort of digital technologies to connect us all and provide equal access to information.

The world of the web does it’s best to provide access to all. Digital divide is what places disadvantages on some individuals vs others. Efforts have been acted upon as time has progressed as we see social media platforms work to bridge inequities and foster participation. The issues of digital divide and digital equity have great importance. Terry Godwaldt expressed that A lack of digital access is a lack of access to education period” (International Society for Technology in Education, 2017). School systems have also worked to counteract this means of “digital divide” that we see today. From personal experience, I noticed once I graduated, my high school completely change means of getting work done. The library underwent big change as they added plenty of more desktop computers that were also caught up to date. To add to it, the students were issued personal tablets to conduct work and learned at a greater scale out of school. Instead of ignoring change, we see means of working with the change to benefit the future.

The fact that the world we live in increases in means of digital technology use we see how important it is to have these resources in our daily lives. Though important they still are quite limited. This limitation may impact the ability to actively participate and engage in an increasing digital technology world, but as discussed in the previous paragraph, we see means of improvement and positive action. That there is something that is mediated by the help of a community/society coming together (school system, libraries, etc.). Liz soltan expressed that “even as technology becomes more affordable and internet access seems increasingly ubiquitous, a “digital divide” between rich and poor remains. The rich and educated are still more likely than others to have good access to digital resources according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project. The digital divide has especially far-reaching consequences when it comes to education. For children in low-income school districts, inadequate access to technology can hinder them from learning the tech skills that are crucial to success in today’s economy” (Digital Divide, 2019). What I take from this is that the limitations can also have personal effects. Those less fortunate financially have less opportunity to access just by means of circumstances.

Demand for social media and technology tools has grown drastically. This day in age I see social media as the center of obtaining news. I can even go back to think how I noticed actual televised programs reciprocating the same news I came to already find out about through means of social media. I have deleted social media apps to focus more and save myself more time in the day. What one can realize from this is not only how much time it can really consume but also how it has become a connection to almost all that is going on this day in age. With out this access to information, one can easily become “lost/not kept up” with all that is taking place. That’s why we see the importance of understanding these works of digital technologies.

[harrisedu-blog]

Digital Citizenship CI3342

According to Common Sense Media, digital citizenship is being able “to think critically,behave safely, and participate responsibly in our digital world” (2018). If I were to explain this in the simplest terms, I’d define it as a responsibility to use technology appropriately in any means of its use. I mean in ways of normal/positive works that won’t lead to negative outcomes through technology use. “Most simply, Digital Citizenship is responsible technology use” as expressed by Josie Ahlquist in her works of the study herself (2014).

It’s easy to compare digital literacy with digital citizenship. They both hold great importance in society as we find the need to teach and learn them. A way in which I believe they are distinguished is the fact digital citizenship is what comes out of digital literacy. As I backtrack, I see digital literacy as one’s ability to take their technological skills and find, evaluate and compose information. With this ability comes responsibility which is the key word when it comes to digital citizenship. The difference I see is that digital citizenship is the responsibility and controller of the acquired ability associated with digital literacy.

When reading about the 9 themes of digital citizenship, I ran across two that really stood out to me:

Digital Access- “the equitable distribution of technology and online resources. Teachers and administrators need to be aware of their community and who may or may not have access, not only in school but at home as well. Educators need to provide options for lessons and data collection such as free access in the community or provide resources for the home” (Ribble, 2004). I reference this to bring to attention that all this information, being wanted or not, is accessible to us all at “equitable distribution”. It then goes into an education spectrum to point out that what may not be accessible in one environment may be accessible in another. I just find this as great insight to take in mind when it comes to teaching works of digital citizenship amongst others.

Digital Rights and Responsibility- “requirements and freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world. This area of Digital Citizenship is about helping students understand that when they are provided opportunities, such as the access to the Internet and use of online products, they need to be diligent in helping others as well, such as informing adults of potential problems. Educators must help students understand that protecting others both online and in the real world are essential skills to have” (Ribble,2004). This theme focuses on the importance of what comes out of this access to the internet and ways of online use. It has created a new means of freedom that we all must take to account and act responsibly to avoid negative returns of this freedom and conflicts amongst each other. As the name of the theme expresses, everyone has their rights to how they want to act and conduct themselves, but it’s also our responsibility to act, teach, and learn how to accordingly act on these various mediums of technology. 

I noticed that these themes in Ribble’s article went into ways in which certain individuals can conduct themselves in ways to support or foster the notion of digital citizenship. Educators, such as those in a school setting, can develop digital expectation or code of ethics that they all agree upon and hold the group accountable to each other (Ahlquist, 2014). Adult learners ,such as parents, can also get involved. After reading over Media Smarts’ Digital Citizenship Guide for Parents, I found “5 key tips for digital parenting”. These tips are: 1)Don’t be scared! 2)Talk to your kids. 3)Be a part of your kid’s media lives. 4)Be the person your kids come to when they have problems online. 5)Set rules and communicate values (Media Smarts, 2017). These are great natural responsibilities of a parent in order to support the importance of digital citizenship. Finally we move to how an individual themselves can do things to enact good when participating online. I believe this is possible through how that individual conducts themselves online. How they want to be treated will reflect through how they treat others. They can also work to encourage means of positive actions of technology and online use.

[harrisedu-blog]

Social Media: Teens and Adults (Blog Post 1)

After reviewing and reading material from Common Sense Media and the Pew Research Center, I’ve come to have a greater knowledge of the use and impact of the different social media platforms amongst teens and adults in today’s society. The Common Sense Media articles revealed insight in the teen’s perspective. It went into depth on things like what social media is being used, why is it being used, and how often are these platforms visited on a daily basis. What I took from the readings was that most of all teens share the same perspective and use at mind. It was expressed that teens greatly enjoyed the presence of social media as it provided a better/easier way of “connecting and communicating with friends”. What was also expressed in the more mature stages of teens is it being a way of expression and showing of interests. The Pew Research Center then went to focus on the adult’s relationship with social media. This article in particular not only shifted the focus to adults but looked at the majority as well for a wide comparison amongst ages. It was brought to early attention that facebook and youtube are the most dominant social media platforms worldwide. This includes all ages and any other distinguished differences that could skew data. What I learned is that adults (let's say starting 30 and up) show less use to newer social media tools that seem to gravitate towards teens such as snapchat and instagram. Snapchat and instagram are seen as the dominant platforms amongst those between ages 18-24 years old. This article also looks in a span of 6 years, as this is believed to be the time span of the most change. I took away from this that 6 years ago it was common for one to use the social media tools back then but what was different was the time spent or “importance” of use on a daily basis. That’s where I believe the division is: Adults seem to ultimately use social media for secondary use of communication while it is of a way of life for teens this day in age.

There were many positives that were brought about in the age differences regarding social media. A positive that came from the teens was the ability to communicate with their friends in a new way. Early in life, when it came to a social life, teens had to become more dependent on face to face communication which only happened at school. Teens also spoke on how it was a cure of a feeling of loneliness. In a video on Common Sense Media, one teen in particular said “social media makes it feel like someone is always there”. For adults, I took the positives also from means of communication but more in a minuscule scale. Social media and adults connect more with “keeping in touch” and “networking for profession”. I feel works of profession is the most positive effect of a social media presence for adults. With these positives, there sure are negatives that can come from it.

Teens seem to exhibit the most common negatives that can come from the presence of social media. In the video the Common Sense Media presented, there were times the teens spoke on how social media would become a hindrance when they are doing things that require productive behavior such as homework. It was noted as “distracting at times” or something that could “shift the focus” as expressed. Common Sense also provided info-graphics that showed changes over the span of the years social media became more and more prominent. What I saw was that the majority communicate over social media vs face to face. If this is the case, many other problems come into play that adults tend to point out. These include things like inactivity in the average minor, cyber problems such as bullying, and things not appropriate being displayed to a minor. All this gravitates to what my thoughts on social media and its growth in the world.

What I see is an overall growth of society becoming more and more dependent on technology. It has been a key component in work forces/establishments, and social media has been used to blow it up on an even greater scale. We use it to communicate, network, share news, and express ideas. These are all things that shape the way we go about living life today. Social media has impacted our experiences in positive and negative ways. These two articles have shown that the works of social media have shifted society into a different way of living. I feel this technology tool has created a greater sense of freedom with in an individual.

[harrisedu-blog]

Reflection Blog

for CI3342