1. How ICT and Digital innovation can support young people’s mental health: where we are now; where we’d like to be Dan Sutch Nominet Trust 18 June 2011
2. So it’s all about the shiny stuff? Design Application Use
Those of you who haven’t brought their phones/those who don’t own a phone – you could not take part in that activity. Similarly, if you can’t physically access the technology – through cost, distance, disability, you’re a rabbit you can’t access the opportunities we’ve spoken about. The XO is a $100 laptop – aimed at those who can’t afford it. Libraries provide free internet access – but I carry internet access wherever I go – I can access these things more readily and easily. I am potentially at an advantage.
Those who didn’t share a comment because they didn’t have a phone are added to by those who can’t text, or who don’t have specific software applications necessary. Thinking outside of today, people can easily be excluded because they not able to join – a second life chat, to work in a team with someone who is collaborating through google docs. Those who rely on older resources, without the up-to-date access to Wikipedia. All of the images today are from other people’s work (in Flickr). Applications of social software allows access to people – when those links can’t be made, there is a divide.
But having access to the tech (software and hardware) doesn’t mean you can use it really well. Developing the functional skills to use technology and to make use of the access is vital. Piano, skateboards, doesn’t mean we can all use those tools. How do we aquire and develop these skills? Where are we taught and nurtured? Schools and homes? What about those who haven’t been taught at schools, those whose homes are not ‘computer literate’? Again, if these skills are not developed, perhaps that access to the technology is not useful?
So having found access, developed the skills and the understanding to use technology, the awareness of the new possibilities, the new opportunities is a vital to overcoming the divide. There are then, physical barriers; educational barriers and perceptual barriers to using technology effectively. Being aware of the possibilities and then being able to take advantage of those possibilities is really important – especially in FL where we think about the future of education.
Adding to this we have the understanding –the perception of what is possible with technology. Your study at the moment is to understand the role of technology, not just the skills to use it, but to see where it can be best applied. Understanding the benefits of technology – whether it be to pass an exam, to be able to have your voice heard, to be able to access information that could help you or your family – understanding the reasons to find access, to develop the skills and then to apply them is a big divide amongst those who use technology and those who use technology less.
