WLANs
Where Are These Projects Mainly Located
These wireless hotspots are mainly located in small communities and cities. There are also many WLAN spots being developed in developing countries around the world.
Why Have These Been Created
The WLAN hotspots have been created in the developing world to allow them to gain access and training in using ICT. This will allow for better education in the use of ICT and therefore help close the divide that is the ‘Digital Divide’.
What Groups Do They Serve And In What Way
The groups that are served by the development of the WLAN are people who work away from the office and still require access to the internet. For example reporters who need to send articles into the office in time for them to go to print. Another group who will use the WLANs are students. Students who have no landline to access the internet through will be able to do research and other work over the wireless.
Have They, And/Or Will They Have, Any Impact On The Digital Divide
By starting projects in developing countries this will allow for the international digital divide to be closed slightly. But some improvement will need to be made. For example to improve the technology available to people in smaller communities in LEDCs. Another example would be improved training for people, here and aboard, to allow people who are using this technology to do so more effectively.
20 Oct 2008
Activity 7
ICT Access In Local Library
The central library in Northampton city centre has an extensive ICT suite which allows members of the public to access the internet. When I visited the library to find out about their ICT facilities, I was told how it has changed people lives.
The library offers 20 internet access for £1. This allows people to check email, check online banking and just browse the net. By having the library in the centre of town, people are able to shop and then go in and use the service at a charge. This has had a large impact on the usage and financial income to the library. By having this charge, the service is able to be improved to pay for better resources and more equipment for use by the public in the library.
The central library in Northampton city centre has an extensive ICT suite which allows members of the public to access the internet. When I visited the library to find out about their ICT facilities, I was told how it has changed people lives.
The library offers 20 internet access for £1. This allows people to check email, check online banking and just browse the net. By having the library in the centre of town, people are able to shop and then go in and use the service at a charge. This has had a large impact on the usage and financial income to the library. By having this charge, the service is able to be improved to pay for better resources and more equipment for use by the public in the library.
14 Oct 2008
International Digital Divide
What Is The Digital Divide?
In recent years we have seen huge changes in the ICT technology we use both at home and elsewhere. These include social, cultural, educational and economic benefits. But the same change has not been seen to the same extent worldwide. For example Africa, which has many LEDCs. For a continent with 841,546,000 million people, only 1.6% are Internet users. This is in contrast with a MEDC such as UK that is 69%.
So the Digital Divide is the difference in usage and interaction with the Internet and other modern technology that we often use every day.
Who Are Most Affected By The Digital Divide?
There are two sides to this divide. Firstly there are those who are on the beneficial side of the divide. Such as the UK. For we use technology for many uses, not only work. We use them to communicate via E-Mail, education using online learning sites and having this technology has allowed us to keep up with important news and vital reports, with the use of news sites and blogs. But there is also a section of the world who don’t have the access to the same technology we do. The prime example is Afghanistan, where only 580,000 people have access to Internet. But in a country with a population of 32,738,376, only 1.7% who can access to the Internet.
One reason for this is the economical state of the country. Afghanistan has an external debt of $8 billion. This is coupled with an unemployment rate of 40% and the total number of the population who live below the poverty line is 53%. This could mean that the Afghan people who live below the poverty line or who are unemployed may not be able to afford the equipment required to run a computer.
Where Can Improvements Be Made To Close The Gaps
So what is being done to bridge the digital divide? There are organisations and projects being set up worldwide to reduce this divide. One such organisation is ‘One Laptop Per Child’. OLPC is a U.S. non-profit organization set up to oversee the creation of a cheap, affordable educational device for use in the developing world. The company’s focus is on the development, construction and deployment of the XO-1 laptop to promote children's education in developing nations. This will allow these students to have increased knowledge for when the technology becomes available for home use to the whole population.
Examples Of How Improvement Is Happening
Having all these organisations and projects in place is well and good, but are they making any difference? Well after some research I have come across a story of how the ‘One Laptop Per Child’ association has help children in Brazil.
I have added the link to the story below
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7647114.stm
In recent years we have seen huge changes in the ICT technology we use both at home and elsewhere. These include social, cultural, educational and economic benefits. But the same change has not been seen to the same extent worldwide. For example Africa, which has many LEDCs. For a continent with 841,546,000 million people, only 1.6% are Internet users. This is in contrast with a MEDC such as UK that is 69%.
So the Digital Divide is the difference in usage and interaction with the Internet and other modern technology that we often use every day.
Who Are Most Affected By The Digital Divide?
There are two sides to this divide. Firstly there are those who are on the beneficial side of the divide. Such as the UK. For we use technology for many uses, not only work. We use them to communicate via E-Mail, education using online learning sites and having this technology has allowed us to keep up with important news and vital reports, with the use of news sites and blogs. But there is also a section of the world who don’t have the access to the same technology we do. The prime example is Afghanistan, where only 580,000 people have access to Internet. But in a country with a population of 32,738,376, only 1.7% who can access to the Internet.
One reason for this is the economical state of the country. Afghanistan has an external debt of $8 billion. This is coupled with an unemployment rate of 40% and the total number of the population who live below the poverty line is 53%. This could mean that the Afghan people who live below the poverty line or who are unemployed may not be able to afford the equipment required to run a computer.
Where Can Improvements Be Made To Close The Gaps
So what is being done to bridge the digital divide? There are organisations and projects being set up worldwide to reduce this divide. One such organisation is ‘One Laptop Per Child’. OLPC is a U.S. non-profit organization set up to oversee the creation of a cheap, affordable educational device for use in the developing world. The company’s focus is on the development, construction and deployment of the XO-1 laptop to promote children's education in developing nations. This will allow these students to have increased knowledge for when the technology becomes available for home use to the whole population.
Examples Of How Improvement Is Happening
Having all these organisations and projects in place is well and good, but are they making any difference? Well after some research I have come across a story of how the ‘One Laptop Per Child’ association has help children in Brazil.
I have added the link to the story below
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7647114.stm
10 Oct 2008
Activity 6 - Local Community ICT Access
A local group that would benefit from increased access to ICT is the former criminals section of society. These people often are in a cycle of drugs, crime and other problems. So, by having the access to learning skills involving ICT, they will be able to break this cycle. With the skills they learn they will be able to apply for jobs that involve ICT. This will give them a way out of the life they are leading. With the money they earn, the person will be able to pay for housing and pay bills. By doing this the former criminal will be able to live a more socially acceptable life style and fit back in with the wider community.
Activity 3 - Access To Digital Technology
Access To Digital Technology
· Name? – Edward Smith
· Age? – 71
· What example of technology do you use in normal day? In a normal day I use my sky plus to record TV, I also do my banking over the phone. Also I use a mobile phone to call a cab while we are out shopping to bring us home.
· What things would you like to be able to do more easily with the use of technology? We often go to the cinema on Tuesday mornings, I would like if we could see the movie from home instead of having to travel. Also it would be good if we could get our shopping delivered home without having to use the Internet. That would mean we would not have to bring it back on the bus, which can be difficult.
· Thank you
Who’s My Interviewee?
My interviewee is my grandfather who is 71 years old, who has 6 children and 12 grandchildren. He lives in a col-de-sac in Far Cotton, in a terrace house which is a two up two down. He has only recently upgraded to sky plus, which allows him to record live TV. Also by having this he doesn’t have to buy new tapes when they run out. Secondly Mr Smith has a mobile phone. He uses it to contact people when he is out in town with his wife, and have no way of making contact with anyone. This allows them to have more freedom when outside the house. Finally with the use of their over the phone banking they are to make transactions without having to go into town. This saves them time and money on having to travel on the bus.
· Name? – Edward Smith
· Age? – 71
· What example of technology do you use in normal day? In a normal day I use my sky plus to record TV, I also do my banking over the phone. Also I use a mobile phone to call a cab while we are out shopping to bring us home.
· What things would you like to be able to do more easily with the use of technology? We often go to the cinema on Tuesday mornings, I would like if we could see the movie from home instead of having to travel. Also it would be good if we could get our shopping delivered home without having to use the Internet. That would mean we would not have to bring it back on the bus, which can be difficult.
· Thank you
Who’s My Interviewee?
My interviewee is my grandfather who is 71 years old, who has 6 children and 12 grandchildren. He lives in a col-de-sac in Far Cotton, in a terrace house which is a two up two down. He has only recently upgraded to sky plus, which allows him to record live TV. Also by having this he doesn’t have to buy new tapes when they run out. Secondly Mr Smith has a mobile phone. He uses it to contact people when he is out in town with his wife, and have no way of making contact with anyone. This allows them to have more freedom when outside the house. Finally with the use of their over the phone banking they are to make transactions without having to go into town. This saves them time and money on having to travel on the bus.
Activity 2 - Who Studies Computing Subjects
The general opinion is that more boys are taking computer related subjects than girls. This is reflected in the real world. For example at my school, Abbeyfields School there is one AS ICT class. In that class there is 4 girls and 10 boys. This information is shown as a pie chart below.
But it is not only in Northampton where this is the case. From information provided by a family member she told me of the boy to girl ratio in her GCSE ICT class in central London. And the findings where the same. In her class there were 24 boys and only 6 girls. Again below is a pie chart to show these results.
So after seeing these results in two schools in two different parts of the country I began to think. What effect would this have on the girls later on in life and how this will affect society as a whole. Firstly, as jobs are now becoming more integrated with the use of computers these girls are being put a disadvantage. This intern will affect their chances of getting these jobs. This will also have a affect on the wider society. By having a belief that girls don’t partake in ICT lessons, will mean that it is a cycle in which few girls go into jobs that use this technology.
9 Oct 2008
International Digital Divide
In the countries of Africa there are a growing number of people awaking to the advantages of technology. The African population has grown to over 922,011,000 in recent years. But with only 3% having main telephone lines it is likely that a very low percentage of people will have access to the Internet. This is true. It is shown by only 1.6% having access to the World Wide Web. But the percent of mobile phone subscribers is double the amount of main telephone lines at 6.1%. But how does this break down into a north, south divide? Is there a difference in where the higher percentage in internet access is?
Well, yes. In northern Africa there is an internet user percentage of 3.3%. But when compared to the southern, often considered the richer part of Africa, the percent is more than double at 7.1%.
This is a lot lower when compared with a more economically developed country (MEDC) such as UK. Where the internet access percent across the whole population is 57%. That is a 11% increase in 4 years. This could be down to the UK household capital per person is higher. This allows them to be able to afford the equipment required to access the internet.
Well, yes. In northern Africa there is an internet user percentage of 3.3%. But when compared to the southern, often considered the richer part of Africa, the percent is more than double at 7.1%.
This is a lot lower when compared with a more economically developed country (MEDC) such as UK. Where the internet access percent across the whole population is 57%. That is a 11% increase in 4 years. This could be down to the UK household capital per person is higher. This allows them to be able to afford the equipment required to access the internet.
Activity 1
Internet Access For The Homeless
Ways in which Internet access could change the life of a homeless person are listed below and real world examples of how it would help.
The ability to get information on government grants to help homeless people. If someone can access this information they will be able to apply for money that can be used to pay for accommodation, which intern will allow the person to apply for work.
By being able to get onto the Internet a homeless person will also be able to use online education services. This will improve the person’s chances of being able to get a job, which will help the homeless person to get off the streets.
If a homeless person can access the Internet, they will be able to get onto social networking pages to get in touch with family. If this person can get in touch with family they can ask for help to get back on their feet and possible get housing or a job.
Another way that having access to the Internet can help a homeless is that they are able to get information about medical advice. The person could go onto the NHS website, for example, to get directions to the nearest help centre that they can discuss health problems with.
A final way in which a homeless person can benefit from having access to the Internet is they can get information about places homeless people can go for services such as health care or even a shower. This will make the persons day a bit better.
Not Having Access To The Internet
By not having access to the Internet, homeless people will incur the following problems. And with each problem I have listed how it will affect them in the real world.
One problem with not having access to the Internet is that they will be unable to gain information about services available to them. For example where they can go to get a free hot meal or somewhere to have a wash. When you are homeless these are things that can make your day much better if they are available to use.
Also by not having access to the Internet someone will find it hard to keep up with news about jobs that are coming vacant. This will cause the homeless person to struggle to get the information about the jobs and training.
Finally, not access to the Internet will mean people will be unable to get in contact with that person. As the use of email is free, and cheaper than the cost of a phone.
More Important Things Than The Internet
Below I have listed 5 things that I believe are more important to a homeless person than having access to the Internet. I have also included reasons why.
Health – Without good health someone on the streets would become very ill and die within a few days.
Friends – For people who live on the streets, who often have no family to turn to friends are the only ones who are there to help.
Food – Again without this the homeless person will be dead within a few days. So like good health this is required to live.
Housing – By having a place of residence the homeless person is able to apply for jobs and improve the way in which they live
Money – Without money they will find it hard to do anything. Some places offer free services but everywhere else money is the source to get what they need
Ways in which Internet access could change the life of a homeless person are listed below and real world examples of how it would help.
The ability to get information on government grants to help homeless people. If someone can access this information they will be able to apply for money that can be used to pay for accommodation, which intern will allow the person to apply for work.
By being able to get onto the Internet a homeless person will also be able to use online education services. This will improve the person’s chances of being able to get a job, which will help the homeless person to get off the streets.
If a homeless person can access the Internet, they will be able to get onto social networking pages to get in touch with family. If this person can get in touch with family they can ask for help to get back on their feet and possible get housing or a job.
Another way that having access to the Internet can help a homeless is that they are able to get information about medical advice. The person could go onto the NHS website, for example, to get directions to the nearest help centre that they can discuss health problems with.
A final way in which a homeless person can benefit from having access to the Internet is they can get information about places homeless people can go for services such as health care or even a shower. This will make the persons day a bit better.
Not Having Access To The Internet
By not having access to the Internet, homeless people will incur the following problems. And with each problem I have listed how it will affect them in the real world.
One problem with not having access to the Internet is that they will be unable to gain information about services available to them. For example where they can go to get a free hot meal or somewhere to have a wash. When you are homeless these are things that can make your day much better if they are available to use.
Also by not having access to the Internet someone will find it hard to keep up with news about jobs that are coming vacant. This will cause the homeless person to struggle to get the information about the jobs and training.
Finally, not access to the Internet will mean people will be unable to get in contact with that person. As the use of email is free, and cheaper than the cost of a phone.
More Important Things Than The Internet
Below I have listed 5 things that I believe are more important to a homeless person than having access to the Internet. I have also included reasons why.
Health – Without good health someone on the streets would become very ill and die within a few days.
Friends – For people who live on the streets, who often have no family to turn to friends are the only ones who are there to help.
Food – Again without this the homeless person will be dead within a few days. So like good health this is required to live.
Housing – By having a place of residence the homeless person is able to apply for jobs and improve the way in which they live
Money – Without money they will find it hard to do anything. Some places offer free services but everywhere else money is the source to get what they need
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