Week 9/10 - Q2

What difference to all this might the 'digital divide' make? a) To socioeconomically related access issues within a society? b) To global access issues across countries and regions?

The digital divide is the gap between people who benefit from the development of the media and technology, compared to those being left in the dark and lost in this digital age. Digital divide researchers have stated that it is the fact that middle - upper class have access to digital technology, whereas the poor are ignored because they cannot afford the luxuries, like broadband, or an ipod. Even if the poor do get access, it is normally very low in standards, compared to what others have, therefore they do not get the full experience and the maximum amount of knowledge needed. This just shows that socioeconomically, society suffers, because the divide just increases, less priviledged families get left behind, without the knowledge and experiences that digital technology provides. We are in the digital age, so if people cannot cope or afford to change and develop with the progressing technological world then society will just spread further apart and the economy slowly colloapse.

On a global scale it has been suggested that the digital divide has caused terrorism. This is due to the fact that religions have felt left out, because they did not take part in the digital progression, so they felt undermined and alienated. Nevertheless continents like Asia, have actually caught up with Britain and the USA over the last ten years because of the dotcom bust in the late 1900's. This means that Asia have become one of the leading continents in the digital age, having created many wireless networks throughout, growing as a digital continent quickly and cheaply.

http://www.digitaldivide.org/dd/digitaldivide.html

Week 8 - journal 1 abstract

This article highlights the issue of whether or not teachers are able to teach younger, more developed digitally, students about the internet and the changing media environments. Bayne and Ross really delve into the issues surrounding the needs digital natives have when it comes to learning stating that children need and thrive technological approaches of teaching when they are being taught, as it keeps them interested and moving forward. They go on to explain that teachers are put in a difficult position, as they are caught in a discourse that means they can't keep on top of the traditional methods, as well as struggling to develop and change to try and fullfill the needs of the students. Overall a simple midway point is wanted to be achieved by Bayne and Ross, allowing a constant and simple progression available for everyone, no matter what age or race.

Week 7 - Distance learning in China

The information for this post has been collected from an online article by Zhao Yuhui and i will be analysing and discussing some of the main ideas developed throughout the article, 'China: Its Distance Higher-Education System'.

I find it intriguing that China developed distance learning, using televisions, in the early 1960's and then introduced television universities (TVU's). To me, this seems very early, and i believe the Chinese educational system took a risk in creating these learning facilities. Nevertheless it seems as though the learning technique works as the article provides evidence of the amount of students that have gained degrees from them, " During the period from 1960 to 1966, more than 8,000 students graduated from the Beijing Television University and over 50,000 students finished single-course studies through its teaching programmes." Therefore it has been successful and obviously worked in the early years of its introduction.

"The enrolment of these radio and television universities over the last eight years has totalled 1,291,833, and 590,941 students have graduated. The number of registered students in 1986 was 604,437 constituting one-third of the country's higher-education institute students." This shows that only less than half of the students who enrolled in these TVU's graduated, which is a very low percentage, proving that many students obviously find it difficult to connect with a screen or monitor, i think i would definately struggle to keep engaged and focused. It is also the fact that these TVU's are taking up one third of the countries educational system, which is too much, considering not everyone can connect with the process. However there is the point that Yuhui makes, stating that these universities needed fewer funds, and so more money could be used for staff training and other resources.

The TVU's educational system consists of five levels "corresponding to the organization of China's system of national and regional governments". It just shows the seriousness and amount of work that has gone into creating and sustaining this method of learning. The five levels succinctly define the terms and methods of learning that must be done and the guides for teaching them. I believe this outlines the positive future the Chinese educational board believe this method of teaching has.

The fact that technology is always developing and the new media scene is now occuring, it is apparent that this teaching method must be expanding and increasing its opportunities. This is proven through the increase in graduates and the amount of courses available, "Enrolled all-subject students have totalled over 1 million, and all-subject graduates have amounted to more than 500,000.","By 1990, about sixty new types of multi-media course will be developed." It is astounding the speed of the growth of TVU's and the standards are always improving as well.

Therefore, it is evident that the method of TVU's dived in at the deep end far too early, and many students suffered because of this, however this growth of resources and technology available, i think it is a great idea and has been very successful, and will only get better.

http://www1.worldbank.org/disted/Technology/broadcast/tv-02.html

Task 2a - How might our views on new media depend on our previous knowledge, values and attitudes, and even ideologies?

The New Media scene is just a result of the rise and evolution of technology and the internet. There are so many options and opportunities available within media, as the subject is so vast, it is only expected for a 'new media' to be constantly developing.

I believe that i have grown up with all aspects of new media around me, and i have developed my skills to be compatable with the ever changing technological world. Beginning with games consoles, then computers, mobile phones, the internet, mp3's, podcasting and many more to come in the future; that i am sure of. Therefore new media has developed to fullfill our needs and our expectations, we need to learn and have better and newer forms of entertainment to keep us inspired.