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Digital Divide and Digital Equity

Most people have no idea what digital divide and digital equity even is. At least I did not know what they were until now, so I will start be defining them to give a better understanding! Digital divide refers to the division or gap between two different societies-- underprivileged individuals who do not have excessive access to computers/the internet and the upper-middle class whom do have access to computers and/or the internet. Digital divide is an interesting concept, many individuals do not necessarily know that it is a thing; but this concept is very important. In my words, digital divide is the line drawn between the lower class and the upper class, in terms of technology opportunities. The gap is clear and is important to understand what the costs of this divide could be. With our technology world advancing each and every day, this gap continues to expand. The upperclass is continuing to grow with the expanding technology world but the lower-class continues to fall behind as it expands. There are many different factors that can contribute to digital divide, those being income, education, race, and class. 

Digital equity refers to the equal access or the opportunity to all things digital-- the tools, resources, services that contribute to an individual’s digital skills and their digital knowledge (2007). I think that this is an important concept and I would describe digital equity as equal access to technology to advance our digital skills. This term is important because our society is constantly growing in the technology industry, so having equal access to advance our digital skills is very important. Digital divide and digital equity are separate terms but are important for one another. When there is a lack of digital equity in underprivileged areas, then the digital divide is seen. As a society, we need to push through digital divide to be able to achieve full digital equity (Schwieger, 2014). I think that this statement is very important, we need to focus on the digital divide of our society to ensure that we can accomplish digital equity. Digital divide refers to access to technology but also access to information, important connections, relationships, the economy and to our societies. With that being said, the digital divide is important to understand when finding a solution for digital equity. 

Both of these terms are very important to comprehend. As someone that did not know much about these terms, I think that being educated on them is important because if we aren’t then how will the problems get solved? The problems will not be able to be solved without help and lots of effort to ensure that the digital divide is minimized to obtain digital equity in all societies. Solutions to digital divide are very important and mobile networks are not going to be able to solely make the issue go away (2019).

There are many issues that could arise with the digital divide and our society lacking digital equity. All people should be able to have access to the internet and technology, but this is just not the case. Without having access to the internet, individuals are unable to participate in our society, their own community, in democracy, in the economy, make connections or just for fun-- which is a major problem in our world today (Lorenzsonn, 2017). Our society today and not having access to the internet, limits all the abilities listed above. People are unable to do many things, since our society relies on technology and the internet immensely. The internet is a major source to turn to when looking for a job or even making connections to get a job offer. The people on the wrong side of the digital divide are already having education and financial issues but with limited access to the internet, they are at an even higher disadvantage. I think that it is important to focus on the issues associated with the digital divide and come to a solution to bring about digital equity. Everyone should have a fair advantage when it comes to internet and technology access. 

Sources:

Davis, T, et al. “A National Consideration of Digital Equity.” International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), International Society for Technology in Education. 480 Charnelton Street, Eugene, OR 97401-2626. Tel: 800-336-5191; Tel: 541-302-3777; Fax: 541-302-3778; e-Mail: Iste@Iste.org; Web Site: Http://Www.iste.org, 31 May 2007, eric.ed.gov/?id=ED497214.

“Digital Divide.” The Digital Divide, cs.stanford.edu/people/eroberts/cs181/projects/digital-divide/start.html.

Grush, Bern, et al. “From Digital Divide to Digital Equity.” Meeting of the Minds, 18 Mar. 2014, meetingoftheminds.org/digital-divide-digital-equity-10520.

Hawthorne, Ryan, and Lukasz Grzybowski. “Mobile Access Won't Fix the Digital Divide. Fixed-Line Is Needed Too.” The Conversation, 19 Nov. 2019, theconversation.com/mobile-access-wont-fix-the-digital-divide-fixed-line-is-needed-too-126801.

Holland, Beth, et al. “Strategies for Tackling Digital Equity.” Getting Smart, 18 Apr. 2019, www.gettingsmart.com/2019/04/strategies-for-tackling-digital-equity/.

Lorenzsonn, E. “Q&A: DANEnet's Alyssa Kenney Sees Internet Access as a Social Justice Issue.” Madison.com, 11 June 2017, madison.com/ct/business/technology/q-a-danenet-s-alyssa-kenney-sees-internet-access-as/article_21d6c091-2736-55ac-b583-f7580e6c7af1.html.

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Digital Citizenship... what is it?

What exactly is digital citizenship? I feel as though not many people would know what the definition would be for the concept of digital citizenship. With that being said, I will provide a straight forward definition to start off with; digital citizenship is the use and/or practice of technology in effective and responsible ways. According to the Digital Technologies Hub, digital citizenship is defined as an acceptable and upholding of the norms of appropriate, responsible behavior with regard to the use of digital technologies (https://www.digitaltechnologieshub.edu.au/teachers/topics/digital-citizenship). I think that this definition does an excellent job at simply defining it. According to Digitalcitizen.net, digital citizenship is defined as a concept with helps teachers, technology leaders and parents to understand what technology users should know to use technology appropriately. This site goes on to say that it is a way for all technology users to prepare themselves for our society that is full of technology. These two sources do a great job of explaining what digital citizenship but I would like to go deeper than just the definition. Digital citizenship is a learning tool that allows students, teachers, children, parents, any technology user for that matter, to learn the most responsible and effective uses of technology and with this, people are able to better their digital literacy. 

Digital citizenship is term associated with the responsibility of technology use. There are nine different themes that are apart of digital citizenship; digital access, digital commerce, digital communication and collaboration, digital etiquette, digital fluency, digital health and welfare, digital law, digital rights and responsibilities and lastly, digital security and privacy (Ribble, Bailey and Ross, 2004). Having these nine themes that are associated with digital citizenship takes the simple definition and broadens our understanding. The nine themes are all equally important and they are important to understand because they can have an effect on our technology use. Understanding these nine terms will work towards respecting the use of technology and respecting others that are using it as well. 

Digital literacy is a concept that is associated with digital citizenship and many people may often mistake them as being the same thing; which is not the case. Digital citizenship deals with the responsibility that the technology user holds. Digital literacy is the ability to technology, effectively, in the means of finding, creating, sharing, evaluating, communicating information (Wall, 2018). These concepts are very similar in the context but hold different meanings, although I think that they go hand-in-hand with one another. They are both part of the other. “Digital literacy is all about skills and competencies and digital citizenship is all about behaviors” (Amy, 2014). Digital Literacy is associated more with the skills one learns to exceed at effectively using technology. Whereas, digital citizenship is not a skill but it is the behaviors that one is involved with when using technology in a digital society. With that being said, I think that the two terms are both a part of each other but one being the skills necessary to effectively use technology in our society today, and the other being the behaviors shown when being apart of a digital society and the appropriation of those behaviors. 

Adult learners are not too late to the party when involving digital citizenship, just because we are a society of enhancing technology does not mean there’s a wrong time to get associated with digital citizenship. Digital citizenship can be supported by adults. Social media is a major factor for adults or college students when discussing digital citizenship. Social media is used by many adults but when is the right time to use it and what is the most appropriate way to use social media? Both of these questions fall under digital citizenship in the use of social media. Many college students are seen using their social media platforms during class. Social media has also been a form of cyberbullying. I think that even adults need to be educated on how digital citizenship can be used in their lives. College students should know the appropriate language that should be used when they are tweeting or commenting on another person’s post. I think that educators are doing a great job at having classes in school for younger grades, but I think that there should also be classes for adults, either in college or at a local community center. “Digital citizenship has become a priority for schools that see technology integration as a major teaching and learning strategy for preparing students to live and work in the 21st century” (Ribble, Bailey, Ross, 2004). This article states that digital citizenship is a priority living in our society today. With that being said, it is important for all ages to understand digital citizenship because that will help develop well-rounded technology users. People can enact good digital citizenship when they are participating online by using appropriate language, respecting oneself and others and understanding boundaries. 

Sources:

Amy. “Skills for Learning Blog.” Skills for Learning Blog Digital Literacy and Digital Citizenship Whats the Difference Comments, University of Salford, 2014, blogs.salford.ac.uk/digital-literacy-skills/digital-literacy-digital-citizenship-whats-difference/.

Australia, Education Services. “Digital Citizenship: Digital Technologies Hub.” Digital Citizenship | Digital Technologies Hub, www.digitaltechnologieshub.edu.au/teachers/topics/digital-citizenship.

Education Technology Solutions. “Digital Citizenship vs Digital Literacy - Is There A Difference?” Education Technology Solutions, 20 Feb. 2018, educationtechnologysolutions.com/2018/02/digital-citizenship-vs-digital-literacy-difference/.

Ribble, et al. “Nine Themes of Digital Citizenship.” Digital Citizenship, 2004, www.digitalcitizenship.net/nine-elements.html.

Ribble, Mike S, et al. “Digital Citizenship: Addressing Appropriate Technology Behavior.” Learning & Leading with Technology, 2004.

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Social Media & Participatory Culture

The information that y'all will be able to take away from my post today is a better understanding of what the Participatory Culture Theory is and how it is important. So you are all probably thinking, what even is the participatory culture theory and how does it relate to social media? The Participatory Culture Theory focuses on how there is a shift in focus from an individual level to a community level involving social connection (Jenkins, Puroshotma, Clinton, Weigel, & Robison, 2009). This theory is what helps us point out and understand, at a deeper level, why/how digital media with online technologies have grown substantially and continues to grow everyday. First of all, I think that definition shows already how important this theory is (without being able to define and understand the digital media/online technology growth, well we would all be a bit lost). 

The Participation Culture Theory relates to social media in the aspect of changes in the techniques of posting to our social media pages and reflecting on our peer’s social media posts. Participation Culture involves a strong support for creating and sharing your creations with other people, involves people believing that their post and comments are important not just to themselves but others as well, involves people feeling a social connection to others and much more (Jenkins, Puroshotma, Clinton, Weigel, & Robison, 2009). This theory relates to social media on such a high level. Now, instead of individual expression, the Participation Culture Theory puts emphasis on community involvement with the use of online technology. People that may not have been able to be socially connected using a digital media platform on an individual level, is supported by their community and gains more opportunities. 

For me, my participation on social media definitely fluctuates on a weekly basis. Some weeks when I have a lot going on in my life, my participation on social media lacks and I barely engage with others (on a digital level). This last week was a stress heavy week and my participation on social media was kept to a minimum. I did not post anything on instagram or twitter or vsco. On snapchat, I did not get to posting anything myself but I enjoyed a couple stories posted by my friends and would reply back to them describing why I like their post. I also did this on Instagram. There were multiple posts by my friends that were exciting and I wanted to connect with them a bit deeper. For example, one of my good friends got married last week and she shared some videos/pictures from the whole wedding day activities. I loved what she had to share and I connected with her by commenting my thoughts on her wedding dress and overall wedding. I think what motivates me to get active and engage with the bigger community on social media is when my peers post videos/pictures/quotes that are intriguing to me and have a deeper connection to me, personally. 

When my week is not as busy and I have the time to engage with social media, the social media platforms I use are Instagram, Snapchat, vsco and occasionally, Twitter. I am involved with these because my friends and family are involved with them as well. On Instagram, I share posts mostly about what I did with friends or family. For example, my most recent post was a picture of my dog and I at an apple orchard. I shared this because my dog means a lot to me and I was able to share with my friends, an exciting day of being with my dog and my parents. On snapchat, I mostly share random, exciting, or funny events that happen in my everyday life activities. I share these because it is fun to share experiences I go through with my friends and then I am able to connect with what they are doing as well. Vsco is my favorite social media platform. On vsco, you are not able to necessarily comment on peoples posts or see the number or likes/reports it receives (which is the reason it is my favorite). With this social media platform, you are able to share pictures and/or text and you are also able to repost/like the post that other people share. I think that this is such a fun way to connect with others because I am able to see fun pictures of friends and quotes that deal with their lives. 

Overall the Participatory Culture Theory is associated with social media because it involves connected with others at a higher level. Instead of individually posting, it is socially connecting on a community level-- which is so much fun (if you ask me)!! The way the participation has changed and is certainly not done changing. Participation is a central element when understanding social media (Hinton and Hjorth, 2013). Participation and the way that it is seen on social media is continuing to change. We are able to connect with others and participate in a community conversation by being able to comment or repost other people’s posts. People are able to feel socially connected with others by the growth in participation techniques. “Great power comes with great responsibility” (Jerkins, 2010). This quote is so very important. With the growth in participation on social media, I think that it is very important to remember that with such power we need to make sure that we are connecting with others responsibly. We need to make sure that we are respecting ourselves and others, remembering that words speak loudly.

Sources:

Hjorth, Larissa, and Sam Hinton. “Chapter 4.” Understanding Social Media, SAGE Publications, 2013.

Jenkins, Henry, et al. “Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture.” Building the Field of Digital Media and Learning, 2009, doi:10.7551/mitpress/8435.001.0001.

“TEDxNYED.” Performance by Henry Jenkins, YouTube, 2010, youtu.be/AFCLKa0XRlw.

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Social Media... so what is it really to us?

When thinking about the word social media, I automatically jump to the sites of snapchat, instagram and facebook. Three of the most general uses of social media... at least for my age group. But what is social media really to us? A means of communication? Way to self-express? Way to build and transform ideas? Well the thought and use of social media varies greatly from one’s age or gender. Younger teens are migrating more towards the use of up and coming social media sites and adults are mostly sticking with the older sites. But what these social media sites mean to us include many different things; strengthening relationships, expressing oneself, communicating ideas, feeling more connected, popularity, business, distraction, education and so many more. 

To start off with, let’s talk about teenagers and their ideas behind what the idea of social media means to them. According to an article from Common Sense Media, teenagers say that there are advantages and disadvantages that come with their social media platforms. The social media sites that most teenagers are using include Snapchat, being the number one, Instagram and Twitter. They describe that they use these sites to communicate with friends and family, express themselves, and feel more connected. But... with these uses come some disadvantages. With the increase in use of social media sites, there is also the risk of cyberbullying and feeling bad about oneself if they do not receive a high number of “likes” and/or comments. In the article from Common Sense Media, the teenagers say that they do understand how big of a role their social media platforms play in distraction. They can see how much of a distraction social media sites can be when trying to do homework, being in class or even hanging out with friends. But many teens report that these distractions come from a manipulation by the different technology companies. 

One of the major differences that social media has made in our daily lives is the role of communication. Teens report that they enjoy using FaceTime, texting, snapchat, or direct messaging as a means of communicating with their friends and family over face-to-face communication. With the up and rising of many different social media platforms the use of technology has taken over how we choose to communicate. Which, in my eyes, can be both positive and negative. 

There are many different advantages and disadvantages that social media platforms’ pose for both teenagers and adults. Some of the major disadvantages that I noticed while reading the article from Common Sense Media were how much it can play as a distraction, risk of cyberbullying, and feeling bad about oneself. The distractions can happen when doing homework or sitting in a classroom, but they can also happen when hanging out with friends and family. That can lead to arguments because of friends spending too much time on their devices, instead of interacting with one another. Risk of cyberbullying comes along with almost any social media platform, people are able to comment or post basically anything and that can lead to unwanted comments that can harm one’s feelings. Another disadvantage is the concept of “likes”, comments or reposting. The likes and comments have turned into basically a popularity contest for many people and when someone does not get as many likes or comments as they had hoped, they will often feel bad about themselves. But with the bad comes some good as well. Some of the main advantages that I would like to point out are starting conversations at an early age, feeling more connected with peers and the world, self-expression, building relationships and expressing and creating ideas. There are conversations that young teens are being exposed to on social media sites that they may not have known about it if it were not for social media. They can learn about what is going on in our world through different posts or comments made from someone across the country or globe. Social media also allows us to stay in connect with people that live in different countries or states. We are able to video chat and talk to one another face-to-face (through a screen of course) and build relationships that would not be possible if we did not have social media platforms. I think that my favorite advantage of social media sites is self-expression and being able to express new ideas and creativity. We are able to post quotations or pictures and videos about who we are and what we like to do that can then be learned from the viewers. Many teens are able to learn from their peers about educational purposes or even life advice. 

Social Media has its ups and downs but in the general aspect of it, our world is gaining so much that continues to grow everyday.