Digital Divide

Technology plays a substantial part in the way we live, whether it is for work and education purposes, or social based. However, as this technology develops, so does the divide globally, making the world we live in have different technological features wherever you go.

Global

·         Over the years in the internet has grown enormously, and had attended to go to people more active which is generally in the west.

·         Computers are a lot cheaper than they used to be, with cheaper material becoming available and the demand forever growing.

·         People have taken to use computers because their available all around them. E.g.-work, school etc. A number of people require a need to use the internet.

·         However a big proportion of the world will be cut off by that.

·         In some countries, there isn’t infrastructure to have good internet communication, or consistent use of computers.

·         Some countries internet is only on for a few hours a day, and his consistently unreliable, and this can be based for complete different reasons. E.g.- power cuts or strikes.

·         Some countries don’t think it worth it due to money issues, and don’t realise the positive implications of the internet.

·         Some countries are suspicious of the internet and its uses. Some countries like china don’t support it and don’t feel the idea of human rights and free speech is appropriate.

·         South Korea internet speeds are a lot quicker than UK. Some people can regards Britain as a ‘3^rd world country’ for our broadband speed.

With this information in mind, people within LEDC countries are unaware of the benefits ICT has, and lack the ability to function is affectively. As well as this skill to function the ICT, specific infrastructure and WIFI connection has to be in place, otherwise nothing will be able to run.

However, MEDC’s don’t lack this infrastructure and are constantly developing, allowing them to induce the rewards that ICT brings. Unlike LEDC’s, MEDC’s can constantly access ICT and the internet 24/7 365 days of the year.  This constant access has led to ICT being a basic skill when applying for a job, with many schools making computers available to students from a young age.

In conclusion to global divide, it demonstrates that there a number of points that need to be addressed. If these aren’t addressed and effectively dealt with, the global divide will only grow and become bigger than ever before.

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Local divide contracts the same problems the global divide brings, however this is on a much smaller scale. This happens within communities, and like global divide has problems between the people who can access and are able to use it, and the people who cant use it.

·         Not everyone has access to computers. This can be due to location in country which has a lack of WIFI, or just don’t have the funds to afford to have one.

·         People are missing out on jobs prospects because they don’t have basic computer skills.

·         Online shopping is growing and becoming an attractive alternative to high street shopping.

·         People are trying to introduce computers to older generation to bridge the digital divide between the generations.

·         Email, facebook and Skype are ways to keep in touch with people socially, and are growing on a daily basis. 100 million people have joined in the last 9 months on facebook.

·         ‘Click on’, government scheme to get people to use computers and learn more basic skills as well as keep up to date with computer development.

Local divide has the same barriers of global divide but on a much smaller scale. Its problems are based around communication between other countries where technology of ICT is already in place. Furthermore a split is developed which gaps between people able and people who aren’t.

More reasons for the split is also due to money. Many people, who are struggling financially, don’t feel the need for a computer and will spend their money on objects more useful to their personal requirements. As well as this, age is another factor within the local divide. Having people from year 65+, announces people who have not have the technology that young people now days are available to. These older people feel that they’ve come their whole life without it, and don’t need it to finish it. These problems need to be revisited when attempting to bridge the divide.

To conclude the local divide, it demonstrates that there are a number of key issues that need to be addressed. It shows that funding local communities for digital equipment will only be a plus, as it will allow them to learn basic knowledge surrounding computers. This is the same for older generations, finally signifying how important financial backing is with regards to ICT as a whole.

ICT in Entertainment

The impact technology has had on the entertainment world has transformed the way it’s seen today. With up to date programs and technological products always being updated and released, people are forever surrounded by its entertainment values. ICT can display itself into a number of different industries, which it affects greatly.

The first example that demonstrates ICT in education is music. All aspects of music have been developed including the way in which we listen, and how we purchase our music. The introduction of MP3 has massively transformed people’s musical lives, with a number of MP3 players and generation of Ipod’s being introduced to the general public. This allows them to purchase their means of music through downloading, rather than having to go out and buy manually. An example of a MP3 downloading source would be I-Tunes, where with the exchanging of some personal details, creates a personal account which allows you to download from any WIFI destination and place onto your Ipod/MP3 player.

However with the expansion of them, applications have been added which allows you to do more than just listen to music. Videos, pictures and games are examples and work on the same basis, with downloading having to be used to transfer onto said player. These add different value to the technology and expand this market to a mark broader area of buyers.

Gaming like Music, has transformed with the introduction and continuous expansion of ICT.  With gaming sales increasing in all departments on a yearly basis, this demonstrates more and more peoples desire to attain these games. With many associating games as an unsociable way of leisure, Nintendo Wii started a new type of gaming. Its motion censored design requires physical movement to be successful, which means that exercise is a key feature to it. This allows the socialising aspect to be a means of tackling a target audience of friends and family, hopefully bringing them closer to enjoy the product.

With DVD replacing video cassettes, like music and gaming, technology surrounding it has changed as well. The introduction of DVD’ s obviously influences the creation of a DVD player which in turn allows you to watch said DVD. As well as players that need a plug connection, portable players are now available which allows consumers to watch DVD’s wherever they are in the world

Through constant development of the DVD surrounding its picture and quality, Blu-ray players have now been developed, which allows customers to watch in HD quality. However, with better quality comes a higher price tag which in turn provides a negative for many with regards to the product. As well as this, special Blu-ray discs have to be purchased to require the HD quality, with normal DVD’s being played like any other player.

Radios have been around for over 50 years and have become a necessity for some people’s everyday life. It allows people to listen to a range of different station, with a  range of different topics, whether this be music, comedy or news. Its up to date information service provides people with the latest news information and songs that gets them through the day.

Now with the introduction of CD players, some double with many home-cinema systems and docking station having radio setup. It gives the same purpose of a television but on a smaller scale, and at the fraction of the price.

To conclude ICT in entertainment, it shows that there are a number of different industries that benefit from ICT development. As ICT continues to expand through the year, so will these industries, not taking long before all these are changed and renewed.

ICT in Employment

Employment opportunities from ICT

ICT has effected employment massively in recent years and has become the forefront of the world’s business infrastructure. From this, developments to businesses and corporations have had great change with how and who runs them, and has led to either more jobs being available or job cuts. To many people, these cuts won’t apply to them depending on their type of job and role, however many are worried that the development of technology and ICT will continue to grow and unjustifiably take their jobs, due to their reliability and act of work 24/7 365 days a year.

This is present in supermarkets where self checkouts are starting to develop and become more and more popular. It provides customers with a machine that does all the necessary information for you quick and reliably. All you as the customer needs to do is scan the products through. There is a process as it go along, with it saying whether you want to pursue with cash or perhaps pay by card. It will then consider you with a clubcard or nectar card and allows you click if necessary. For many this allows people to get by quick and easy without the distractions that many can bring to this job.

Like people who work within the tills at a supermarket, other jobs will be lost with the development of ICT. These include;

·         Car park attending – With ‘pay and display’ machines now being present within car parks. The payment of a car for whatever time can now be done through machines, with a number of times being present, and this time chose based on the amount put in. E.g.-1 hour = 80p, 2 hours = £1.40 etc.

·         Checking of product control – Checking of products through sampling can now be done through machines that will check the product with greater detail a lot faster.

However, this isn’t to say job opportunities haven’t come from the development of ICT. These include;

·         Software engineers – These people provide the computer science principles to a product or design. This chain of work would be needed for all types of software, and would be needed if a new type were to become available. E.g.-computer games.

·         Programmers – Needs to write the information that will help function and program the product.

·         System analyst – people which produce information, research and design for an upcoming system which will help the development process of it.

As well as new jobs being available for others, or perhaps people unemployed, current staff will need to be trained for use of the product. From here these basic skills of a general employee will be increased and provide them with greater ICT knowledge that will look impressive on a CV. Furthermore, this may make these employee candidates for promotional jobs helping make more money for them.

Future employment opportunities

With ICT developing continuously, a lot of jobs are said to have been taken due to technological enhancement, and this however will continue to grow. Nonetheless, this isn’t to say that jobs in the future will dry up with basis to humans. A number of business’ don’t like the idea of a machine or ICT product being the make trafficking link between customers, and stress that it doesn’t hold a strong customer interaction between them and the store. So with this in mind, I would expect a number of business’ to not go down the strong ICT based route and hold importance to people interaction with customers.

However, for business’ that do continue down the technological route, will need people to check and embrace the products on a regular basis. This would call for job hire with certain skills. Nevertheless, you could argue that the employees being taken on board to watch the technology, are only replacing the ones make redundant from the equipment in the first place, showing no real job development.

We can expect further jobs to be taken by ICT based machines, but should not take in an negative manor. We should merely note that these jobs won’t generate massive amounts of ability, and will only be taken on in cases of extreme repetition, like working on tills.

With this in mind, it’s key that future education will ensure young people with greater and vaster knowledge of technology and its uses. This will provide them with greater and stronger fundamentals as well as make them stronger candidates for a number of jobs.

ICT in Education

ICT has massively transformed the way in which education is now taught in school, with it not only focusing on the ICT and media subjects, but for all types ranging from maths to English. This transformation happens for both the teaching side of education, as well as the student experience with various tools being present for both. This integration into schools and students everyday environment will set them up for later life, and will allow them to learn basic skill and understanding that will prepare them for later business employment.

There are a number of products ranging from hardware and software that meet these demands, and allow students to interact with products that may come back to them in later life at a more detailed level.  A number of these can now be present in a general classroom, and from personal experience do make a healthy difference. These include;

·         Computers - These are the forefront of personal learning for a student with them providing each individual, with a login and password where they can access files for editing and enhancement, as well as be open to independent research on the internet.

·         Software – This is what runs the computer. A number of programs are available for education and revision purposes for both teacher and student. Being a student give you discounts on software at certain stores.

·         Smart board – These allows teachers to interact with a board through touch sensitivity, with the view of presentations and demonstrations being taught at the forefront of the class. From here students can make notes and enhance learning techniques.

·         Projector – This is the forefront of the smart board and is what presents the screen onto the board. This is hooked up to a general computer with it then being displayed. With the aid of a projector, presentations can be shown and paused, edited with, as well as fast forwarded.

·         Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) – A growing program in schools today is VLE. This provides students with the chance to access online files and documents from home, where they can edit them and securely save. As well as this, students can keep in touch with teachers though blogs, where they can ask questions and enquire about set work.

                         This shows an example of a student using a smart board.

With the enhancement of these products, different software’s and programs are now available, where students can produce pieces of work. An example would be PowerPoint presentations. With the aid of a computer, projector and smart board, a student can make a PowerPoint presentation where they can demonstrate their interactive knowledge, as well present the information at hand. This, like mentioned previously, is what businesses’ work with, and for many is what they use to function future employment opportunities. An example of it effecting employment life is a teacher, who would use these tools to make presentation at much greater detail than a student, to present to classes.

With many schools providing vast amount of computers to students, they do have the chance to do this whether it be at home or school, night or day. Like PowerPoint, word has continued to be a frontier of school education and now allows students to write the majority of their work on a general computer. From here they can transfer to home to edit or enhance and return to school at the required date.

There are benefits for student with regards to software like these. These include;

·         Give students the chance to do work wherever they have a computer, and allow it to be more independent.

·         Gives them the chance to experience exactly what it will be like in a work environment.

·         Allows them to develop communicational and computer skills integrating them into school work.

However, there are benefits for teachers as well. These include;

·         Can mark work on a computer with students sending it to them. This stops having to mark work pages manually.

As well as benefits, negatives do come from ICT in education.  One negative is how students have replaces computers and keyboards for general writing, from this decreasing quality of handwriting, which is what’s needed in exams.

Plagiarism has also come apparent in coursework and essays, where students have cut and paste others work and claimed it to be there’s.  However, software has now come apparent that cracks downs on this and can differentiate their work with work done previously by others.

In conclusion to ICT in education, there is a number of products that have changed the way in which education brought across today. As years go by and technology increases, so will it and will soon unearth even greater educational tools for a student and teachers needs.

Entertainment

For many years now entertainment has become a forefront of the internet, and provides millions of people with amusement and fun throughout. A number of these entertainment based services have been around even longer that the internet itself, with some including games, radio and TV. However, with masses of people every year turning their entertainment needs to the computer and internet, so have these services.

With these services now being available via the internet, a number of advantages have come apparent. These advantages are both present for the client and the company.

One thing websites can do is portray advertisement round each service, this allows for the clients to check out latest offers on wither clothing wear, or other sites that may relate to what your doing. This would be an advantage for the company as it would allow them to sell advertisement on their site which in turn can bring in money.

A consumer advantage is that they access a number of different entertainment services through the aid of a computer. This means they can watch and play games all from one piece of hardware rather than having to keep changing from a television to a radio, and then to a game console.

The first example of an entertainment service would be online games. Online games are probably the oldest entertainment service on the web, and hold both educational and recreational uses. An example recreationally is miniclip. Miniclip hosts to a number of games changing from action packed to mentally challenging. Its holds a wide range for each, and allows players to generate high scores competing against players all over the world.

An example for educational use would be ‘Classtools.net’. Class tools provide a number of ranging games that can make education fun to the consumer. This way of learning will entice people to play and in the future can become a forefront of learning, with examples of music, maths and English all being present.

Overall, games are a growing way of entertainment, and as the internet grows so will it.

Radio is another form of online entertainment, and grants thousands of people with access to their favourite shows whenever they desire. This has also been present for many years, but has slowly grown, with a number of different aspects being introduced. An example would be a ‘BBC Radio podcast’ which allows user to downloads their favourite show, and put it onto their MP3/IPod device where they can play back when the time is right. Furthermore, it allows people to watch missed shows and catch up on the latest information wherever WIFI is present.

Online TV is another form of online entertainment and provides vast amounts of people with digital services of their choice. This service is quite prestigious, whereas unlike radio and games, television requires subscription to a number of companies. However one service has gone a different road and has allowed their service to be broadcast over the computer free! This service however does require a subscription with a monthly payment but that equips you for just general television. With the aid of your sky subscription code, you can sign up online free and watch you packages through the aid of a computer and internet service.

Download Services

Downloading has grown into one of the most commonly used ways to access products online, and from this has attracted fundamental advantages and disadvantages. It’s a service that allows anyone to gain a product over the internet, which in turn acts as an easy accessed advantage. Its use of transactional payments online is the way to purchase a product, however for many downloading has succumbed to illegal barriers, with many now being free.

Examples of downloadable services include;

·        Music- This is the biggest form of downloading on the internet, whether it is for making money purposes or non-profitable (illegal) ways. ITunes is an example of money making software, with each customer setting up their own account for themselves. This allows them to store whatever music they desire, with you either playing it through ITunes itself, or transferring onto their Iphone/Ipod. This transaction favours a lot of people, as it allows them to download a song/album wherever a WIFI connection is present.

·        Games- This is another form of downloading and allows people to download files onto either CD’s or their computers hard disk. From there they can be play the files, on either consoles like PS3’s or your PC. This isn’t favoured to many gamers, as consoles like PS3’s can pick up fake disks and ban you from using the online services.

·        Software- Large companies are the people that will release software, with many bringing out further updates as well as adds ones for products. Patches for glitches can also be released, that can help the product perform. These can either be free trials with a later option to buy, or a straight purchase. A straight purchase will generally be used for a whole program. E.g.-Adobe Photoshop.

·        Videos- Sky player is an example of playing back videos and films and is a free feature with a general sky account. This allows people to watch shows whenever they want, whether it’s through a computer or accessed through services on their television.

·        Anti-virus- This is another common download and allows people to be safe and secure when roaming online. Free software can be available for this, but is usually only appeared as a free trial leading to a payment, (eg-1 month free trial). However, these don’t tend to be secure, so it is recommended that payed downloads are the best/safest products to go for. An example would be Norton’s antivirus.

 

With all of these example comes an array of advantages for downloading, over that of physical purchase. The downloadable purchase is generally always cheaper, with a number of these either being updates or add ones to the software, or just small files, like songs. Furthermore, this will not take a lot to format/make and therefore will be cheaper than hardware purchases.

The chance of not having to leave your seat is another bonus, with a WIFI connection only needing to do so. This helps people who may be stuck in remote area, where shops like Curry’s and PCworld are not nearby.

The security of the product itself is always an issue when buying something, with trying to keep it functional/working and not losing it. This isn’t a problem for downloads, with many optioning for back up storage, which allows for lost or accidental deleted files to be restored to the hard drive. This saves people buying the product again, and in turn makes people come round to the idea of downloading further files.

Another advantage is that the file will never have issues of being out of stock. This allows people to buy and downloads the product, without this ever being a problem. In conjunction to this, timing should never be an issue, with downloads being available 24/7 365 days of the year.

However, though these advantages hold an incentive to downloading products, it does nonetheless have disadvantages, with different people owning altered points of view. The transactional side of this is the main disadvantage, as it possesses a security risk that too many isn’t trusted. Many feel that certain sites can’t be trusted and need to make customer security number one priority, with stronger passwords needed as well as securer transaction of payment.

With this in mind, many online sites allow customers to use a secure payment website called PayPal. PayPal act as the middle man, and allow both ends of the bargain to get what they want, whether it be getting the product or the money. A site can show it used PayPal through the ‘PayPal verified’ sticker being located on the payment section of the purchase. These sorts of transaction sites hold a guarantee for people when downloading, and can allow them to do so, safe and secure.

As well as paying for your downloads through sites like PayPal, downloading has become a trait that too many is seen now as free. Piracy has taken this on, with various sharing domains being open for file sharing between people online. Pirated products have grown massively, but with it holding illegal traits, does hold consequences if caught.

An example would be pirate bay, where through registration you can access millions of different songs, videos and films that are available through file sharing called torrents. Pirate bay itself is 100% legal as well as the downloading side, however if said material holds copyright laws, sharing of the product is therefore illegal and can hold consequences to the sharer.

Downloading has become one of the main uses of the internet across its existence and will only get stronger and more used. It brings people a number of different produce without even having to leave their home, however, with this brings disadvantages including secure payment issues, as well as the products roots, whether it be legal or illegal. Whatever anyone says, downloading will always be a part of the internet and to many will continue to bring merchandise.

E-Government

Everyday technological aspects of the world are developed, and in turn provides more services to the world’s infrastructure. This has now been applied to the internet and in turn as provided a functional government scheme. This scheme is called electronic government or e-government.

The aim of E-government is to transfer all paper based documents online to produce an 'online application scheme', in turn saving government spending by £1.4 million. This will need to be tackled for a number of services including;

·        Tax and benefits

·        Crime justice/law

·        Employment online

·        Health and well being

·        Employment online

·        Citizens online

·        Education and learning online

·        Home and community online

·        Motoring online

·        Travel and transport online

With this comes an enormous audience, with 62.7% said to have internet access on a daily basis.  This allows a much larger amount of viewers to these sites, with a number of different options being available to them. Furthermore, this allows people to read easy accessible information, which in turn can create successful and positive feedback for these areas websites. I shall be explaining 4 of these, with me analysing what they can deliver and achieve for the modern day person.

Some of these areas have become more popular than others, and have succumbed to sub sections and divisions within their website. This allows people to have easy access to certain areas of the website, rather than reading various amounts of paperwork which would have happened in the old system. An example would be the motoring section of www.Directgov.co.uk, which splits itself into specific areas. This gives you expertise about what exactly you need to do, in comparison to a certain topic.  DVLA, Taxing, Testing and buying a vehicle are just some of their areas you can access, with various help sections being accessible. With it all being available online, this allows the general public to view it 24 hours a day, therefore accessing the information as and when they wish.

This cross over to an online scheme does bring a lot of information being let loose onto the internet, with access to it potentially being tricky. However, in conjunction to this, a number of these areas have come together, making them into ‘partnering websites’. This allows one specific website to hold a number of divisions, which in turn provides its information about a number of different topics easily and hassle free.

www. Directgov.co.uk  is an example of this, with my previous comments regarding ‘motoring online’ being a area within.

Another area within the Directgov site is ‘Travel and transport’. This section provides information mainly in conjunction to being abroad, with topics on Foreign Travel, Passports and Boating and travelling. These subject matters need to be very detailed, with certain aspects of it having to be done in person, rather than over the online application. However, this isn’t to say some documents can’t be filled out online, with introduction of this helping parts of UK business, (e.g.-post office).  However, it can be argued with such areas like renewing your passport now being available online, this had affected post offices and has lead to a decline of business for them, and therefore eventual closure.

Information regarding staying in the country is also displayed with topics on Highway Code, Getting about in the UK, and Cycling being available. Again, like the other areas, subsections are provided, which in turn makes the viewers needs a lot easier.

If there is certain information not covered within this site, information can be accessed elsewhere with the websites approval. In conjunction still with ‘Directgov’, useful contacts have been set up in place to help with topics that they know can be explained further.

An example would be ‘Access for disabled people’, with a further site given further, more accurate information on this. Other than the website link, Directgov provides the user with general points about said site, with the address, phone number and email address being shown.

 

‘Crime Justice’ is another area which can has been affected through the government’s scheme. Again, information regarding this can be found on the ‘Directgov’ website, with a number of topics being displayed and updates regularly.

This area has probably been affected the most, with a number of sections positively advancing for the greater good. The accessibility of sites like these can be shown as evidence for any case, with areas to pay fines and tax as well as a person’s rights if arrested. In relation to the fines, including speeding and parking tickets, there is areas online for them to pay them across a certain time span. This therefore shows no reason/excuse not to pay a ticket/fine at anytime.

As well as information on people pursuing the crimes, there is also allocated sections for victims and people that have been affected by this. This is show as the largest section, with a number of topics being displayed below, demonstrating what to do if you are victim of a crime, if you witness a crime, and your rights. This shows that the treatment of victims and people safety is their most important feature.



Education and learning is the final section I'm going to look at, with its departure to the online application having a positive effect on it overall. The area focuses on education right through your life, starting from primary school, straight through to where your university degree can get you. Its subject matters include,

·        14-19: your life, your options

·        Preschool

·        Higher Education and university

·        Qualifications’ explained

What this does is explain every option of you life’s education, will all parts of it being explained on what it does, where it can get you, and how it can change your life. This is again very detailed, however is seen more as a learning aid, with a number of matters including higher and lower education having to be tackled head on with certain teaching agreements and organisations.

Other than this, information regarding them as a person is also available, with costing always being a major issue. The costs to get to and from college/school and university are a serious matter when it comes to learning, with this no doubt deciding a person’s need and chance of gathering this learning. Schemes like EMA are set in place to help these people covers these costs, with a weekly amount being sent to certain people regarding their attendance and grades in class. This will allow people to get there education they deserve with costing having to not be an issue.

In conjunction to the overall e-government scheme, it does bring out numerous areas that have positively advanced from it. The chance to have various information on sites like ‘Directgov’ allows people to access information in an easy navigated way, with other topics being interlinked with these. This allows people to read up and gain knowledge on areas that they would never have thought of even reading.

The sites friendly and well maintained way allows people to interact with it, through the use of gaining information to transactional payments, whether it be Road tax or fines.

With ‘Directgov’ being a general example of this turnover, it can only be described as a success that will continue to grow and be updated as time goes on.