Hi gang,
First off, let me say that I see a lot of marked improvements in the wiki. I can tell you guys have put some effort into it, and it's paid off. Here's, then, some tips for refining and revising the wiki in the next few days for the final turn in.
The Introduction looks great over all, although the last few sentences are a little choppy and might need to clarified. Reading through the whole thing to get a sense of what exactly you want to sum up here/introduce would be helpful for editing for the final draft. Saying a bit more here about what you want to cover and why, in slightly more detail, might also strengthen the intro as such.
I know the first section has also been reworked. You might want to clarify what is meant when you say that the Divide is "more like a gap" in the Cause section.
The Definitions section is greatly improved by the more meta-conceptualization in the discussion, particularly in the intro to the section and flow. You may want to rethink what you want to say toward the end of the Race section, as it sounds a little more casual/speculative than you really want to be at this point. Are their indications that certain groups are less interested in the technology and what are these, if so? What would critics say of such suggestions/findings? Likewise, with socioeconomic status: although the logic is compelling for this factor, as the author notes, are their any critiques of this perspective? What would someone who is not interested in class analyses say in rebuttal? These are some examples, then, of point where you want to rethink your claims critically asking, What reasons go against/limit my arguments/suggestions? The more deeply and critically you can go into your arguments the stronger they will be.
Looking at the nature of these divides - the age divide, the gender divide, and the others - in more depth would also be helpful...how do these divides then break down within? Do older wealthier people looks at blogs more than older poorer people? Which divides seem salient to you? Thinking through these will help you to close this section more conclusively and compellingly. Perhaps those of you who did the research for this section can think through these in order to made some broad, helpful statements in concluding it.
The rest of the divide reconceptualization material is good stuff but you might want to think through the organization once more. I felt like the language/global sections at the end were out of place, that the reconcept. section might either introduce these concepts as smaller subsections, or that these things connected to others things addressed earlier. In any case it seems strange to me that these small sections end this main section, so maybe think through how these aspects relate to each other, and what you want to focus on as center and discuss more peripherally.
The Perpetuation section: Please split up the long final paragraph so that is main points are clearly articulated, it's just too long to read through clearly at this point. Also in this section, I feel like the obvious is sort of overlooked or not clearly articulated: Technology is that which divides - can technology be used to solve its own problems? Highlighting the logistical point regarding the relationship between technology and the digital divide - this very fundamental conceptual relationship - seems important here, and thinking through its implications might perhaps help with framing this discussion in this section a bit more.
The solutions section could also be treated a bit more critically - what do critics say about these options and possibilities? Discussing arguments for/against solutions within this section would be helpful.
The Ed Opportunities/Challenges sections could also use a reorganization. Each of the things listed numerically could be better discussed in essay form (without list numbers), with a bit more discussion of examples and pros/cons. This includes the Factors/Obstacles/and Lessons Learned. For each of these you can also refer back to what was stated in previous sections to bring the discussion together a bit more and rely more on your hard work elsewhere; what do we know, from the prior discussion, that helps us in thinking through the factors, obstacles, and lessons learned. I also think you might be able to very fruitfully integrate the Closing the Gap discussion into the earlier discussions in this section. In the end this section could be able to say a few very clear things about what you guys think might work and under what conditions, and vise versa (what won't work and why/if why). Finally, a more summarizing conclusion to match your Intro would be helpful.
I am fully aware I am giving you way more to do than you possibly could in such a short amount of time, and do not expect you to be perfect, given the time pressures you have worked under. However, I think you guys have worked very effectively in responding to our past inquiries/feedback and we have high expectations only because you guys have matched them so well so far in your thoughtfulness and thoroughness. Let me know if you want me to read through a section again in the next few days, and good luck. We are very pleased to see this wiki come together as it is, and we hope you also recognize what excellent work you are collectively producing.
Best,
Liz
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Hey- my email didn't go through to all of you for some reason. My Internet went out last night during class, so I missed the discussion w/the group-sorry. If I need to do anything specific, please let me know. I am willing to do whatever. I am reading some articles today on education, and I'll let you know if I find anything more to add. Please let me know, too, if anythign major was decided or deadlines, etc. Thanks!
Britni
Britni
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
why my own delay
for some reason, I had my note to you returned to me. I am currently at a family reunion and was unable to log in last night and will be 30 mintues late tomorrow night. This was planned long before the course began and I am away from normal IT channels, but will continue to work. Let me know if there is something I need to do otherwise. thanks bo white
(this is my note to Tim earlier, given the feedback we received, I am willing to pull an all nighter this Sunday if necessary....could someone email me a summary of what you discussed last night as I am delayed, but am willing to pull my weight)
thanks again
bo
(this is my note to Tim earlier, given the feedback we received, I am willing to pull an all nighter this Sunday if necessary....could someone email me a summary of what you discussed last night as I am delayed, but am willing to pull my weight)
thanks again
bo
Instructor Feedback
Hey gang, sorry for the delay.
The point of turning in a rough draft this week was so that we could give you feedback while you're progressing. So, we have a good deal of feedback. You have a critical week and a half left; don't hesitate to let me know if you'd like me to look over a section again or clarify anything I write here.
So, we can give feedback on global and detailed levels. I'll start with the global. The point of the project, you recall, is to answer these questions:
1. What are the wider social and cultural changes that are entailed by this trend? In other words, these trends don’t emerge in a vacuum, and they often reflect other social and cultural changes as well. What are some of the major contextual factors giving rise to this trend?
2. How are new digital technologies, and their uses, affecting and affected by this trend?
3. What are the educational opportunities and challenges arising from these developments?
I think these questions are subjected to thoughtful analyses in the wiki, but that the organization you have at this point is not particularly helpful for the reader. In particular some key connections need to be more explicitly made. Why is it important to consider different types of divides and various challenges to various conceptions of the divide? Overlapping conceptualizations is a good section, but it suggests wider confusions, contradictions, and/or conflicts in popular discussions about this issue. What does the lack of consensus about what the DD is, or what it means, do to these discussions? Also there are logical relationships between different definitions discussed that could be drawn out in considering how you think it should be conceived. (1) and (3) in your outline also seem to be doing similar things; it would help to ask yourselves what the point of these different sections are in order to make the connnections and distinctions more clear to outside readers. I am thinking offhand that (3) should be part of (1) (as one of the authors suggests), but it's also possible that you all may know something I don't.
The point is that the types and conceptions should be reworked as they respond to the questions above, of the context of the issue, of identifying the issue, and of its historical trajectory. It might also aid criticality and thoughtfulness to consider the logical flow between challenges and solutions that have worked and not worked. Why haven't some things worked and why have others? Overall the particular arguments and perspectives you should be developing right now as the researchers are not coming through. This might also require thinking through editorial issues - you might try organizing an "editorial board" that considers how clear, compelling, and coherent the wiki reads as a whole, when the voice/flow/perspective/approach changes and how to aid readers in gaining from your relatively impressive research done thus far.
You might try rethinking the structure as a whole in terms of the outline, as well; right now the outline does not suggest you will be discussing education specifically, when this is a big part of your work (which you have done).
Finally, your discussion of the types of divides and different conceptions do not play clearly into later sections on educational and other challenges/opportunities. You might consider charting out the challenges/opportunities for each type/conception and then reorganizing based on what you find; for instance, what types of divides/conceptions of divides can education help with, or aid/hinder education, or otherwise directly relate to education, and which do not, and how? Being able to answer this multi-faceted question (more like 10 questions!) through the wiki would be a great sign of its overall success in terms of thoroughness and thoughtfulness.
Now a few more minor/detailed questions:
Successes and failures, and why: More please. WHY have some of the these been so intractable? CAN they be addressed, or are they inevitable?
Factors that are obstacles: I think you could do more here to make clear that education is also part of the problem as well as part of the (potential) solution. This is a big issue, it seems to us.
Do you plan to keep individual authors’ names on the sections? It’s up to you, of course...
Our goal in giving feedback is, of course, to challenge you to do the best work you can with the time you have. We don't expect perfection but we do want you to learn a lot and have a final product you're proud of. That's my hope with this. Please let me know if you need more feedback with anything in particular and we wish you the best of luck in this next week!
The point of turning in a rough draft this week was so that we could give you feedback while you're progressing. So, we have a good deal of feedback. You have a critical week and a half left; don't hesitate to let me know if you'd like me to look over a section again or clarify anything I write here.
So, we can give feedback on global and detailed levels. I'll start with the global. The point of the project, you recall, is to answer these questions:
1. What are the wider social and cultural changes that are entailed by this trend? In other words, these trends don’t emerge in a vacuum, and they often reflect other social and cultural changes as well. What are some of the major contextual factors giving rise to this trend?
2. How are new digital technologies, and their uses, affecting and affected by this trend?
3. What are the educational opportunities and challenges arising from these developments?
I think these questions are subjected to thoughtful analyses in the wiki, but that the organization you have at this point is not particularly helpful for the reader. In particular some key connections need to be more explicitly made. Why is it important to consider different types of divides and various challenges to various conceptions of the divide? Overlapping conceptualizations is a good section, but it suggests wider confusions, contradictions, and/or conflicts in popular discussions about this issue. What does the lack of consensus about what the DD is, or what it means, do to these discussions? Also there are logical relationships between different definitions discussed that could be drawn out in considering how you think it should be conceived. (1) and (3) in your outline also seem to be doing similar things; it would help to ask yourselves what the point of these different sections are in order to make the connnections and distinctions more clear to outside readers. I am thinking offhand that (3) should be part of (1) (as one of the authors suggests), but it's also possible that you all may know something I don't.
The point is that the types and conceptions should be reworked as they respond to the questions above, of the context of the issue, of identifying the issue, and of its historical trajectory. It might also aid criticality and thoughtfulness to consider the logical flow between challenges and solutions that have worked and not worked. Why haven't some things worked and why have others? Overall the particular arguments and perspectives you should be developing right now as the researchers are not coming through. This might also require thinking through editorial issues - you might try organizing an "editorial board" that considers how clear, compelling, and coherent the wiki reads as a whole, when the voice/flow/perspective/approach changes and how to aid readers in gaining from your relatively impressive research done thus far.
You might try rethinking the structure as a whole in terms of the outline, as well; right now the outline does not suggest you will be discussing education specifically, when this is a big part of your work (which you have done).
Finally, your discussion of the types of divides and different conceptions do not play clearly into later sections on educational and other challenges/opportunities. You might consider charting out the challenges/opportunities for each type/conception and then reorganizing based on what you find; for instance, what types of divides/conceptions of divides can education help with, or aid/hinder education, or otherwise directly relate to education, and which do not, and how? Being able to answer this multi-faceted question (more like 10 questions!) through the wiki would be a great sign of its overall success in terms of thoroughness and thoughtfulness.
Now a few more minor/detailed questions:
Successes and failures, and why: More please. WHY have some of the these been so intractable? CAN they be addressed, or are they inevitable?
Factors that are obstacles: I think you could do more here to make clear that education is also part of the problem as well as part of the (potential) solution. This is a big issue, it seems to us.
Do you plan to keep individual authors’ names on the sections? It’s up to you, of course...
Our goal in giving feedback is, of course, to challenge you to do the best work you can with the time you have. We don't expect perfection but we do want you to learn a lot and have a final product you're proud of. That's my hope with this. Please let me know if you need more feedback with anything in particular and we wish you the best of luck in this next week!
Monday, July 23, 2007
Inserting pictures
To insert pictures you need to do the following: First, go to the toolbox menu on the left hand side of the wiki menu. Upload the picture file from your computer to the wiki. You need to remember the name of your picture. Then click on the "embedded image" icon on the wiki menu (on the top) once you do that a special link with two brackets will me displayed [[Image:Example.jpg]], type the name of your image (or copy and paste).... your new link will look something like this. [[Image:mypic.jpg]]. I hope this is helpful.
Will
Will
Wiki formatting
I know that formatting the wiki has become a challenge. I been figuring things out as I go. Anyway, to insert links from other websites all you need to do is put brackets before and after the link for example [http://www.hello.com].
Editing
Hello. Just a couple things in regards to editing:
-Internet is capitalized
-We need dates after the names when citing sources, unless it is a website with no actual written date, like digitaldivide.org.
-Internet is capitalized
-We need dates after the names when citing sources, unless it is a website with no actual written date, like digitaldivide.org.
Images and Stuff
Since it's a wiki, I have tried to paste in images, but am struggling to do so. For example, there are some images that are appropriate to use as illustrations in some articles that may make the wiki look more like a wiki and not simply a digital paper. thoughts?
Also, I am wondering if a thesis or common theme is emerging as there is some significant overlap in the discussions that could be combined....I mention this in one part of the wiki....
And if people can paste images or we can eliminate overlap, I am fine with no reply to this blog and a few people tinkering with design. Tonight i feel like I should have been born in the mid 1800's in terms of my love/hate relationship with my own technical prowess. thanks for your help and patience.
Also, I am wondering if a thesis or common theme is emerging as there is some significant overlap in the discussions that could be combined....I mention this in one part of the wiki....
And if people can paste images or we can eliminate overlap, I am fine with no reply to this blog and a few people tinkering with design. Tonight i feel like I should have been born in the mid 1800's in terms of my love/hate relationship with my own technical prowess. thanks for your help and patience.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Definitions on, need help
Wil, thanks for the revised format/outline. I am not very adept with the wiki. I put on the definitions after some struggles, but don't know how to change the outline to make definitions to come before history and cause. Anyone who can do so, please do. I also wanted to add a 5th section under definitions, titled "Overlapping Conceptualizations", but couldn't figure out how to do so, so just added it after the last definition section. So, if anyone changes Definitions to 1, could you please add a 1.5 for Overlapping Conceptualizations?
Anyone interested in meeting in person sometime? I also don't want to step on toes and would like to communicate easier.
Thanks,
Beth
Anyone interested in meeting in person sometime? I also don't want to step on toes and would like to communicate easier.
Thanks,
Beth
section posted
I posted my section about how technology creates new gaps a few minutes ago and added a reference to the list. I also used the Burbules et al article already listed as a reference. My section is definitely in rough draft shape - so I'm anxious to get feedback this week about how to improve it.
Are all bases covered?
I wonder about re-structuring our wiki further to integrate items 5 (What can be done nationally and internationally?) and 6 (What have been success and failures?). I don't know what our group's protocol has been for making structural changes to the overall outline before--since I wasn't the original outline poster... and I don't want to step on any toes either. What do you all think? I see some overlap and redundancy between those items and it appears that some areas need more research and development.
Pamela
Pamela
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Beth I agree with your suggestions. Whenever you post the final outline to the wiki I will formatted like before with the links. I am a bit confused about the dividing the sections. I am still interested in working in the section we had in the old outline. As you said we need to make decisions soon, because this is due on Monday.
Will
Will
formatting difficult
Sorry, I was trying to make the formatting look better and I accidentally posted it. See your e-mail for better viewing. The first part, History, I had suggested Britni, but was editting when it disappeared.
Beth
Beth
decisions
Hi Team,
I really liked how Wil made the links for the first outline. We need some decisions now.
Do we work from the outline on the Wiki or use the revised outline? I heard back from 3 or 4 people saying they liked the new outline.
If we choose the new outline, here is a suggestion for dividing up the revised outline (based somewhat on the old dividing up), if the revised outline is OK with everyone. If you have different suggestions for either the outline or dividing up, please let us know these. I’m OK with whatever. If we change, Wil, could you please add in your global v national info and also change the links??
1. History
Cause
Recognition
Definitions Beth
Technological (physical) divide
Access (internet) divide
Social resources divide
Human resources divide
Types of Divides within the social and cultural contexts Bo
SES
Race
Gender
Age
Ability
National v Global Wil
Language
Perpetuation of the divides Venita and Cathy
How technology exasperates the divide
How technology creates new gaps
What can be done?
What ways have people tried to address the divides? Pam (and consult with Wil)
Nationally
Globally
What have been the successes and failures and why? Tom, Caroline, Nicole
Here are the three questions we are to address:
Every project should address three questions in relation to your theme:
1. What are the wider social and cultural changes that are entailed by this trend? In other words, these trends don’t emerge in a vacuum, and they often reflect other social and cultural changes as well. What are some of the major contextual factors giving rise to this trend?
2. How are new digital technologies, and their uses, affecting and affected by this trend?
3. What are the educational opportunities and challenges arising from these developments?
Beth
I really liked how Wil made the links for the first outline. We need some decisions now.
Do we work from the outline on the Wiki or use the revised outline? I heard back from 3 or 4 people saying they liked the new outline.
If we choose the new outline, here is a suggestion for dividing up the revised outline (based somewhat on the old dividing up), if the revised outline is OK with everyone. If you have different suggestions for either the outline or dividing up, please let us know these. I’m OK with whatever. If we change, Wil, could you please add in your global v national info and also change the links??
1. History
Cause
Recognition
Definitions Beth
Technological (physical) divide
Access (internet) divide
Social resources divide
Human resources divide
Types of Divides within the social and cultural contexts Bo
SES
Race
Gender
Age
Ability
National v Global Wil
Language
Perpetuation of the divides Venita and Cathy
How technology exasperates the divide
How technology creates new gaps
What can be done?
What ways have people tried to address the divides? Pam (and consult with Wil)
Nationally
Globally
What have been the successes and failures and why? Tom, Caroline, Nicole
Here are the three questions we are to address:
Every project should address three questions in relation to your theme:
1. What are the wider social and cultural changes that are entailed by this trend? In other words, these trends don’t emerge in a vacuum, and they often reflect other social and cultural changes as well. What are some of the major contextual factors giving rise to this trend?
2. How are new digital technologies, and their uses, affecting and affected by this trend?
3. What are the educational opportunities and challenges arising from these developments?
Beth
Friday, July 20, 2007
National v Global DD
Here are my ideas for the global versus national DD:
I agree with the outline that was sent by email, it looks pretty good. I just thought that the instructors suggested that there were different categories for national and global contexts for many reasons.
Will
Global
Language
Gender
Race
Age
Religion
Infrastructure
Literacy
Ability
National (US)
Class or socioeconomic status
Gender
Age
Urban/rural
New Text Msg. Language (how r u, lol, pos, etc.)
Infrastructure
Ability
I agree with the outline that was sent by email, it looks pretty good. I just thought that the instructors suggested that there were different categories for national and global contexts for many reasons.
Will
Resources
Here are just a few resources I found that I thought I would share. Sorry I couldn't post the links- they are password protected, so you have to go through U of I library.
Eamon, Mary Keegan. "Digital divide in computer access and use between poor and non-poor youth." Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare 31.2 (June 2004): 91(22). Academic OneFile. Thomson Gale. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 20 July 2007
"Libraries help close digital divide for poor." Report on Literacy Programs 16.5 (March 4, 2004): 38. Academic OneFile. Thomson Gale. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 20 July 2007
Bakardjieva, Maria. "What knowledge? Whose fingertips? Negotiating and serving diverse identities through information technology." Canadian Ethnic Studies Journal 35.3 (Fall 2003): 133(17). Academic OneFile. Thomson Gale. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 20 July 2007
Rooksby, Emma, John Weckert, and Richard Lucas. "The rural digital divide." Rural Society 12.3 (Fall 2002): 197(14). Academic OneFile. Thomson Gale. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 20 July 2007
Hammond, Allen L. "Digitally Empowered Development." Foreign Affairs 80.2 (March-April 2001): 96. Academic OneFile. Thomson Gale. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 20 July 2007
Wade, Robert Hunter. "Bridging the digital divide: new route to development or new form of dependency?." Global Governance 8.4 (Oct-Dec 2002): 443(24). Academic OneFile. Thomson Gale. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 20 July 2007
Kenny, Charles. "Development's false divide: giving Internet access to the world's poorest will cost a lot and accomplish little. (Argument)." Foreign Policy (Jan-Feb 2003): 76(2). Academic OneFile. Thomson Gale. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 20 July 2007
Eamon, Mary Keegan. "Digital divide in computer access and use between poor and non-poor youth." Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare 31.2 (June 2004): 91(22). Academic OneFile. Thomson Gale. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 20 July 2007
"Libraries help close digital divide for poor." Report on Literacy Programs 16.5 (March 4, 2004): 38. Academic OneFile. Thomson Gale. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 20 July 2007
Bakardjieva, Maria. "What knowledge? Whose fingertips? Negotiating and serving diverse identities through information technology." Canadian Ethnic Studies Journal 35.3 (Fall 2003): 133(17). Academic OneFile. Thomson Gale. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 20 July 2007
Rooksby, Emma, John Weckert, and Richard Lucas. "The rural digital divide." Rural Society 12.3 (Fall 2002): 197(14). Academic OneFile. Thomson Gale. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 20 July 2007
Hammond, Allen L. "Digitally Empowered Development." Foreign Affairs 80.2 (March-April 2001): 96. Academic OneFile. Thomson Gale. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 20 July 2007
Wade, Robert Hunter. "Bridging the digital divide: new route to development or new form of dependency?." Global Governance 8.4 (Oct-Dec 2002): 443(24). Academic OneFile. Thomson Gale. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 20 July 2007
Kenny, Charles. "Development's false divide: giving Internet access to the world's poorest will cost a lot and accomplish little. (Argument)." Foreign Policy (Jan-Feb 2003): 76(2). Academic OneFile. Thomson Gale. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. 20 July 2007
Thursday, July 19, 2007
more thesis ideas
Is there a digital divide or simply a technological divide that is the same as rich vs. poor?
Is the digital divide a global or local factor?
Why do we think technology is progressive in light of the digital divide?
Is the digital divide a global or local factor?
Why do we think technology is progressive in light of the digital divide?
thesis ideas
1) Is the Digital Divide real or is it a modern mask for deeply rooted societal divisions?
2) Why has the Digital Divide failed to help us in social equality?
anyone else?
2) Why has the Digital Divide failed to help us in social equality?
anyone else?
brief organization changes ideas
History
Cause
Recognition
Definitions
Technological (physical) divide
Access (internet) divide
Social resources divide
Human resources divide
Types of Divides within the social and cultural contexts
SES
Race
Gender
Age
Ability
National v Global
Language
Perpetuation of the divides
How technology exasperates the divide
How technology creates new gaps
What can be done?
What ways have people tried to address the divides?
Nationally
Globally
What have been the successes and failures and why?
Cause
Recognition
Definitions
Technological (physical) divide
Access (internet) divide
Social resources divide
Human resources divide
Types of Divides within the social and cultural contexts
SES
Race
Gender
Age
Ability
National v Global
Language
Perpetuation of the divides
How technology exasperates the divide
How technology creates new gaps
What can be done?
What ways have people tried to address the divides?
Nationally
Globally
What have been the successes and failures and why?
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Instructor Feedback
Hey gang,
First off, from Nick and I, let me say that this looks like a great start. I can see you have done some very productive brainstorming as a group and in general have been fairly successful in making sure all the major topics involved get touched upon. So really our comments have to do with specific ways you might consider refining your focus, and some issues you might want to think a bit more seriously about as you proceed with the first draft. We aren't not doing the research - you are - but we're thinking 1.4 can be seen as an extended definition and that these very different senses of the digital divide - which can be observed both nationally and internationally - might in a sense frame the discussions that follow - for instance that each divide - say, the class divide in the US and the gender divide internationally - are in some ways similar and in some ways different. It might be a useful exercise to think about what divides and issues around divides are more universal than others. As I look over the other other areas, I wonder which divides are you talking about? Don't views differ when we're talking about solutions, conditions, and effects nationally versus internationally, linguistically versus socioeconomic? There are no obvious answers to these but you might find it worthwhile to think through the answers to these questions as you consider the tasks you have in completing this wiki.
Also, what about ability divides?
This is good, but what about how technolgoy doesn't just enable gaps but exascerbate gaps, or create new gaps?
We're not entirely certain how this is going to look and how it ties in, so be careful in thinking through this section and how you articulate the connections with others elements of the wiki.
It might very well be that you are planning to develop 7-8 more. We would really like to see the page ultimately focused on these, which should be backed up, balanced arguments about what could/should be done about this issue (to the extent it is an issue, in terms of how you define it). The concept itself has a pretty negative connotation so this is really the heart of the matter, isn't it - what's bad about it (however it should be defined), how bad, why, and what to do?
Hopefully I've given you some food for thought here and also an indications of areas that you should be careful in thinking through and those you might want to focus more heavily on. As you proceed then, as a group, please be aware of how you want to tie this into one discussion. If you look on wikipedia you see a variety of discussions, some of which flow logically in a comprehensive and thorough discussion and others which are less helpful. Wikis by nature have a challenge in being focused since they are collective projects. Think about how you want to frame your discussion, what's central versus periphery.
Let me know if any of this doesn't make sense - I'll be checking the comments on this blog - and I hope you have a productive week!
First off, from Nick and I, let me say that this looks like a great start. I can see you have done some very productive brainstorming as a group and in general have been fairly successful in making sure all the major topics involved get touched upon. So really our comments have to do with specific ways you might consider refining your focus, and some issues you might want to think a bit more seriously about as you proceed with the first draft. We aren't not doing the research - you are - but we're thinking 1.4 can be seen as an extended definition and that these very different senses of the digital divide - which can be observed both nationally and internationally - might in a sense frame the discussions that follow - for instance that each divide - say, the class divide in the US and the gender divide internationally - are in some ways similar and in some ways different. It might be a useful exercise to think about what divides and issues around divides are more universal than others. As I look over the other other areas, I wonder which divides are you talking about? Don't views differ when we're talking about solutions, conditions, and effects nationally versus internationally, linguistically versus socioeconomic? There are no obvious answers to these but you might find it worthwhile to think through the answers to these questions as you consider the tasks you have in completing this wiki.
Also, what about ability divides?
- 2 What are the social and cultural contexts of the Digital/Access Divide:
- 3 Are there any opposing/different views of the Digital Divide?
- 4 What does the Digital Divide look like from our group's perspective?
This is good, but what about how technolgoy doesn't just enable gaps but exascerbate gaps, or create new gaps?
We're not entirely certain how this is going to look and how it ties in, so be careful in thinking through this section and how you articulate the connections with others elements of the wiki.
It might very well be that you are planning to develop 7-8 more. We would really like to see the page ultimately focused on these, which should be backed up, balanced arguments about what could/should be done about this issue (to the extent it is an issue, in terms of how you define it). The concept itself has a pretty negative connotation so this is really the heart of the matter, isn't it - what's bad about it (however it should be defined), how bad, why, and what to do?
Hopefully I've given you some food for thought here and also an indications of areas that you should be careful in thinking through and those you might want to focus more heavily on. As you proceed then, as a group, please be aware of how you want to tie this into one discussion. If you look on wikipedia you see a variety of discussions, some of which flow logically in a comprehensive and thorough discussion and others which are less helpful. Wikis by nature have a challenge in being focused since they are collective projects. Think about how you want to frame your discussion, what's central versus periphery.
Let me know if any of this doesn't make sense - I'll be checking the comments on this blog - and I hope you have a productive week!
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
response to dividing group
I'd like to work on III, but can do whatever works for the group. Cathy and Venita, do you want to collaborate?
Beth
Beth
Monday, July 16, 2007
Dividing Groups
So, who wants to do what? If you want to do a specific topic, mention it here so we can start narrowing down what's left. I assume we all agree w/the partner-heading idea?
I'm willing to do anything, so Pamela and Carla, if you want to mention something, go ahead.
I'm willing to do anything, so Pamela and Carla, if you want to mention something, go ahead.
posting to the wiki
There have been several e-mails going around with questions about posting to the wiki. Here are the steps I took to post the outline. It's there - I asked for confirmation from the TA for my section to be sure I had done it correctly.
1. After logging in to Moodle, scroll all the way down to box 20 which is titled "Final Project Resources."
2. Click on "final project teams and blog/wiki information."
3. Find "digital divide" and click on the wiki link
4. It takes you immediately to the page where you can view what's posted. The outline is what you should see.
5. To make editorial changes directly on the wiki site, you will need to set up an account. When you hit the edit tab at the top, it will prompt you for a log-in. Once you create one, you can log-in anytime to make changes.
athy
1. After logging in to Moodle, scroll all the way down to box 20 which is titled "Final Project Resources."
2. Click on "final project teams and blog/wiki information."
3. Find "digital divide" and click on the wiki link
4. It takes you immediately to the page where you can view what's posted. The outline is what you should see.
5. To make editorial changes directly on the wiki site, you will need to set up an account. When you hit the edit tab at the top, it will prompt you for a log-in. Once you create one, you can log-in anytime to make changes.
athy
Sunday, July 15, 2007
dividing topics
As we consider how to divide the topics, should we be thinking about that as individuals or as our small groups? What are your thoughts?
Outline officially posted
I posted our outline to the wiki a few minutes ago. I made changes based on editors' comments.
Cathy
Cathy
more concrete suggestions
This is looking great. I have some suggestions:
1) Change IIIa to "Does a Digital Divide really exist?"
2) In V change every "technology" to "technology, human resources and social resources"
3) Change VIIa to "Success and Failure Stories"
4) Change VIIb to "Why were they failures or successes?"
So sorry for the late input.
Beth
1) Change IIIa to "Does a Digital Divide really exist?"
2) In V change every "technology" to "technology, human resources and social resources"
3) Change VIIa to "Success and Failure Stories"
4) Change VIIb to "Why were they failures or successes?"
So sorry for the late input.
Beth
I mistakenly posted some outline ideas last night on Moodle somewhere. Then I couldn't figure out how to get back in to delete. Today, I can't seem to get onto Moodle. My apologies for putting this in the wrong place. I will try to get on again tomorrow to delete it. I think it was on the discussion forum, I hope it was not on the wiki.
The outline looks good. Thanks, Tom, for putting it all together. After reading the DD articles for class next week, I feel we need to add more about Is there really a DD (under III)? And add more about human resources and social resources (Either add another Roman Numberal after V or change V to "The role of technological resources, human resources and social resources"). We might also want to add failures at the end (VII)and how to learn from them.
Beth
The outline looks good. Thanks, Tom, for putting it all together. After reading the DD articles for class next week, I feel we need to add more about Is there really a DD (under III)? And add more about human resources and social resources (Either add another Roman Numberal after V or change V to "The role of technological resources, human resources and social resources"). We might also want to add failures at the end (VII)and how to learn from them.
Beth
Project Outline ready for editing
I will e-mail this doc in word format as well. There are seven sections with section IV being an area that erach individual would add theri own perspective from there environment.
Editors....it's all yours.
Tom A.
Digital/Access Divide
Project Outline
Group Members: Beth Hand (mhand@usd116.org), Venita Hubbard (vhubbard@uiuc.edu), Cathy Mannen (mannencat@champaignschools.org), Britni Rolfingsmeier brolfin2@uiuc.edu, Pamela Williams, pwillims@uiuc.edu, (Carla Ainslie) ainslie2@uis.edu, Bo White - bowhite2@uiuc.edu, Will Montepeque - wmontep2@uiuc.edu, Tom Ashley - tashley2@uiuc.edu, Nicole - nweir2@uiuc.edu, Carolyn Yun - cyyun@uiuc.edu
I. The History of the Digital/Access Divide:
a. When/what caused the divide to be created?
b. When was the divide recognized?
c. Definitions of the Digital/Access Divide.
d. What types of digital divide exist today, describe?
i. Socioeconomic
ii. Race
iii. Gender
iv. Age
v. Global
vi. Etc.
II. What are the social and cultural contexts of the Digital/Access Divide:
a. Is the United States on the wrong side of any divides compared to other countries?
b. Why is closing the gap important?
c. How does the Digital Divide manifest itself in our and global cultures?
i. How does affect the United State?
ii. How does affect the world?
III. Are there any opposing/different views of the Digital Divide?
a. Does one exist?
IV. What does the Digital Divide look like from our groups perspective?
a. Each group members perspective
V. The role of technology – how do new technologies affect and how are they affected by these trends?
a. How can technology help?
b. How does technology enable the gaps to exist?
VI. Educational opportunities and challenges – how does the Digital Divide affect education?
a. Test scores
b. Parents
c. Preparing for the workplace -21st century skills
d. NCLB
e. Infrastructure
f. Training
g. E-Rate
h. ETC
VII. How are others closing the gap? (Examples)
a. Success stories
b. Why were they successful?
Editors....it's all yours.
Tom A.
Digital/Access Divide
Project Outline
Group Members: Beth Hand (mhand@usd116.org), Venita Hubbard (vhubbard@uiuc.edu), Cathy Mannen (mannencat@champaignschools.org), Britni Rolfingsmeier brolfin2@uiuc.edu, Pamela Williams, pwillims@uiuc.edu, (Carla Ainslie) ainslie2@uis.edu, Bo White - bowhite2@uiuc.edu, Will Montepeque - wmontep2@uiuc.edu, Tom Ashley - tashley2@uiuc.edu, Nicole - nweir2@uiuc.edu, Carolyn Yun - cyyun@uiuc.edu
I. The History of the Digital/Access Divide:
a. When/what caused the divide to be created?
b. When was the divide recognized?
c. Definitions of the Digital/Access Divide.
d. What types of digital divide exist today, describe?
i. Socioeconomic
ii. Race
iii. Gender
iv. Age
v. Global
vi. Etc.
II. What are the social and cultural contexts of the Digital/Access Divide:
a. Is the United States on the wrong side of any divides compared to other countries?
b. Why is closing the gap important?
c. How does the Digital Divide manifest itself in our and global cultures?
i. How does affect the United State?
ii. How does affect the world?
III. Are there any opposing/different views of the Digital Divide?
a. Does one exist?
IV. What does the Digital Divide look like from our groups perspective?
a. Each group members perspective
V. The role of technology – how do new technologies affect and how are they affected by these trends?
a. How can technology help?
b. How does technology enable the gaps to exist?
VI. Educational opportunities and challenges – how does the Digital Divide affect education?
a. Test scores
b. Parents
c. Preparing for the workplace -21st century skills
d. NCLB
e. Infrastructure
f. Training
g. E-Rate
h. ETC
VII. How are others closing the gap? (Examples)
a. Success stories
b. Why were they successful?
context of DD
I am wondering if the Digital divides can be analyzed as well in broader categories that allow us to explore specifics later on...for example, the broad context can be: local, national, global, while the issue can remain gender inequality....
from the conversations many gravitate to details quickly, so am simply suggesting umbrella categories. we have covered many angles within the issue and will not exhaust any one subject most likely.
from the conversations many gravitate to details quickly, so am simply suggesting umbrella categories. we have covered many angles within the issue and will not exhaust any one subject most likely.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
More Ideas
How about training...some people don't have access to technology because they haven't been trained or because they refuse to be trained or because they don't have the resources to be trained.
DD
some of you have suggested gender, and or race...how about AGE...Definitely there is a DD between the young people and the old people.
We can also broad this to industrialized and non-industrialized countries.
Will
We can also broad this to industrialized and non-industrialized countries.
Will
definition
In the definition, we should include the "old" (physical access) and "new" definitions (including human resources and social resourcess)
Beth
Beth
more
I agree with Caroline that we need to define the DD We can also talk about problems with a concept of a DD (address #2 question) ((Warschauer)
a. People tend to think of the DD as physical access only
b. It’s not the “haves” and the “have-nots”; rather, there are gradations. Not acknowledging these gradations can be patronizing and marginalizing.
c. The idea of a DD implies a chain of causality, which does not recognize the complex interrelationships of technology and society.
Beth
a. People tend to think of the DD as physical access only
b. It’s not the “haves” and the “have-nots”; rather, there are gradations. Not acknowledging these gradations can be patronizing and marginalizing.
c. The idea of a DD implies a chain of causality, which does not recognize the complex interrelationships of technology and society.
Beth
More suggestions
1) History of issue
- the obvious, defining DD
- how it came about: combination of Clinton Administration, internet and dotcom booms, National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA)
2) Challenges to solving the issue
- kids not having access to computer, not only at school, but also at home
5) Future of DD
- Not only an issue of have/have-not, but varying levels/knowledge of kid's computer use
- in order to "close the gap," students required to take introduction computer class (learning how to troubleshoot?)?
7) Education opportunities/challenges
- Challenge: Not only an issue of have/have-not, but varying levels/knowledge of kid's computer use ---> how to get children, technologically, on the same page
- Challenge: limit to how dependent on technology as source of learning
- Opportunity: Most, if not all, workplaces use technology ---> through closing the gap, preparing kids for the future and "real world"
Caroline-
- the obvious, defining DD
- how it came about: combination of Clinton Administration, internet and dotcom booms, National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA)
2) Challenges to solving the issue
- kids not having access to computer, not only at school, but also at home
5) Future of DD
- Not only an issue of have/have-not, but varying levels/knowledge of kid's computer use
- in order to "close the gap," students required to take introduction computer class (learning how to troubleshoot?)?
7) Education opportunities/challenges
- Challenge: Not only an issue of have/have-not, but varying levels/knowledge of kid's computer use ---> how to get children, technologically, on the same page
- Challenge: limit to how dependent on technology as source of learning
- Opportunity: Most, if not all, workplaces use technology ---> through closing the gap, preparing kids for the future and "real world"
Caroline-
Suggestions
-Under challenges to solve issue, we could add training (as in training people illiterate in technology). There is a major problem with people having access but no resources to get any use out of the technology. The article for this class provided some great examples
-I think #8 is a little redundant. We can talk about this stuff in the social/cultural context point.
-#9 could be place under the "challengs in solving DD" point.
-We could add another point:
"New Technology"
-How it affects DD
-How it is affected by DD
These are just suggestions. Hopefully they help!
-I think #8 is a little redundant. We can talk about this stuff in the social/cultural context point.
-#9 could be place under the "challengs in solving DD" point.
-We could add another point:
"New Technology"
-How it affects DD
-How it is affected by DD
These are just suggestions. Hopefully they help!
Race, Class and Gender
Someone already added race, class and gender as angles to approach. I think it's also important to consider barriers to technology/internet that don't involve financial issues (class).
Friday, July 13, 2007
ideas for outline
- Before discussing the challenges to solving the issue, we may want to discuss why "closing the gap" is important.
- Another challenge to solving the issue we may add is infrastructure.
- One of the education challenges we could add as a sub-topic could be differences in teacher knowledge/expertise.
Cathy
Thursday, July 12, 2007
one more
Oops, missed the most important last thing to address:
We also have to address these three things:
1) The issue about social and cultural contexts
2) The role of technology – how do new technologies affect and how are they affected by these trends?
3) The roles of these trends in thinking about educational opportunities and challenges.
We also have to address these three things:
1) The issue about social and cultural contexts
2) The role of technology – how do new technologies affect and how are they affected by these trends?
3) The roles of these trends in thinking about educational opportunities and challenges.
OK, here’s as best as I could decipher. Sorry, I lost the outline form when I copy/pasted. The e-mail will look prettier. I will also attempt to e-mail the group. I have the following e-mail addresses. Please add any that are missing.
Beth
Beth Hand (mhand@usd116.org)Venita Hubbard (vhubbard@uiuc.edu)Cathy Mannen (mannencat@champaignschools.org)Britni Rolfingsmeier brolfin2@uiuc.eduPamela Williams pwillims@uiuc.edu(Carla Ainslie) ainslie2@uis.eduBo White - bowhite2@uiuc.eduWill Montepeque - wmontep2@uiuc.eduTom Ashley - tashley2@uiuc.eduNicole - nweir2@uiuc.eduCarolyn Yun - cyyun@uiuc.edu
1) I think that maybe we should look at the history of the issue (when and why the divide started
a. Gender
b. Race
c. Class issues
d. (Social/cultural context)
2) What are the challenges to solving the issue?
a. Technological divide
b. Global poverty divide
c. Financial considerations
d. Generational gaps/divides (between parents and kids)
3) What do the experts say? (opposing ideas)
4) What are our takes on the situation in our own environments?
5) What is the future of the digital divide?
6) What are others doing to solve the issue?
7) Educational opportunities and challenges – how the DD affects education…
8) Specific issues within DD: people with disabilities, age gaps, gender…
9) What about people who have the capability but choose not to? (sim… to aliteracy) (I think the author is wondering about those people who choose not to be technologically literate.)
We also have to address these three things?
1) The issue about social and cultural contexts
2) The role of technology – how do new technologies affect and how are they affected by these trends?
Beth
Beth Hand (mhand@usd116.org)Venita Hubbard (vhubbard@uiuc.edu)Cathy Mannen (mannencat@champaignschools.org)Britni Rolfingsmeier brolfin2@uiuc.eduPamela Williams pwillims@uiuc.edu(Carla Ainslie) ainslie2@uis.eduBo White - bowhite2@uiuc.eduWill Montepeque - wmontep2@uiuc.eduTom Ashley - tashley2@uiuc.eduNicole - nweir2@uiuc.eduCarolyn Yun - cyyun@uiuc.edu
1) I think that maybe we should look at the history of the issue (when and why the divide started
a. Gender
b. Race
c. Class issues
d. (Social/cultural context)
2) What are the challenges to solving the issue?
a. Technological divide
b. Global poverty divide
c. Financial considerations
d. Generational gaps/divides (between parents and kids)
3) What do the experts say? (opposing ideas)
4) What are our takes on the situation in our own environments?
5) What is the future of the digital divide?
6) What are others doing to solve the issue?
7) Educational opportunities and challenges – how the DD affects education…
8) Specific issues within DD: people with disabilities, age gaps, gender…
9) What about people who have the capability but choose not to? (sim… to aliteracy) (I think the author is wondering about those people who choose not to be technologically literate.)
We also have to address these three things?
1) The issue about social and cultural contexts
2) The role of technology – how do new technologies affect and how are they affected by these trends?
Outline progression summary
1. SATURDAY NIGHT 10pm CST
- Research issues and/or specific DD topics want to see discussed and post to Blogger
- Tom will gather ideas and form outline
2. SUNDAY NIGHT
- Cathy and others will edit and post actual outline to Wiki
3. MONDAY NIGHT
- divide up the outline and start executing...
- Post by 6pm CST about what part of outline you want to focus in on
Just wanted to summarize and get everyone on the same page.
Feel free to note any corrections/changes.
- Research issues and/or specific DD topics want to see discussed and post to Blogger
- Tom will gather ideas and form outline
2. SUNDAY NIGHT
- Cathy and others will edit and post actual outline to Wiki
3. MONDAY NIGHT
- divide up the outline and start executing...
- Post by 6pm CST about what part of outline you want to focus in on
Just wanted to summarize and get everyone on the same page.
Feel free to note any corrections/changes.
I think that we should definitely include these three areas in some form in our outline, since this is what they will be looking for.
1. The issues about social and cultural contexts.
2. The role of technology- how do new technologies affect and how are they affected by these trends?
3. The role of these trends in thinking about educational opportunities and challenges.
Welcome
Welcome to the blogsite for EPS 415: Ethical and Policy Issues in Informational Technologies. This space is for the Digital Divide project team.
This blog space is a cross-sectional forum where you can communicate, plan, share ideas and resources (links, etc), and respond to one anothers’ ideas. To post, click on "New Post" at the top right hand of the screen. Let me know if you have any difficulties
This blog space is a cross-sectional forum where you can communicate, plan, share ideas and resources (links, etc), and respond to one anothers’ ideas. To post, click on "New Post" at the top right hand of the screen. Let me know if you have any difficulties
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