Is there a potential problem being stored up for people if 'education' is tailored to fit into their cultural and personal preferences?
We live in such a cultural and diverse world, that it would be ignorant if we only learned about things which fit into our own personal preferences and culture.
Personally, I think we all need to be educated and have a basic knowledge of other different cultures and backgrounds. I think its important to know about other cultures, not just your own, as in todays world, our society is so multi-cultural that we need to know about them, theres no escaping it. In later life when we are in the woking world we will need to be educated in more than things that just apply to ourselves.
I think many problems could arise if education was tailored for the individual. In some cases, I can understand why tailoring around individual needs would benefit the individual greatly, for example, the way things are culturally percieved to different people would be best adapted to their preferences.
Friday, 27 March 2009
What is "Semantic Web"?
"The Semantic Web is a web that is able to describe things in a way that computers can understand."
"The Semantic Web is an evolving extension of the World Wide Web in which the semantics of information and services on the web is defined, making it possible for the web to understand and satisfy the requests of people and machines to use the web content."
The Semantic Web is a much smarter vesion of the internet that we know already. Although the World Wide Web gives us information, Semantic Web takes into consideration that we need applications in order to gain this information. It is able to run on applications, and although it may be several years until we see the Semantic Web up and running, the capabilities of it will be so beneficial and helpful in a world of digital technologies.
http://www.w3schools.com/semweb/default.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_Web
"The Semantic Web is an evolving extension of the World Wide Web in which the semantics of information and services on the web is defined, making it possible for the web to understand and satisfy the requests of people and machines to use the web content."
The Semantic Web is a much smarter vesion of the internet that we know already. Although the World Wide Web gives us information, Semantic Web takes into consideration that we need applications in order to gain this information. It is able to run on applications, and although it may be several years until we see the Semantic Web up and running, the capabilities of it will be so beneficial and helpful in a world of digital technologies.
http://www.w3schools.com/semweb/default.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semantic_Web
Semantic web and web 3.0
The semantic web and web 3.0 have a few similarities, such as both people eally fast versions of the internet, but they have many differences too.
Semantic web is a web of data. "The Semantic Web is about two things. It is about common formats for integration and combination of data drawn from diverse sources, where on the original Web mainly concentrated on the interchange of documents. It is also about language for recording how the data relates to real world objects. That allows a person, or a machine, to start off in one database, and then move through an unending set of databases which are connected not by wires but by being about the same thing". Semantic web allows comuters to read the internet.
"Web 3.0 refers to the attempt by technologists to overhaul radically the basic platform of the internet so that it 'understands' the near infinite pieces of information that reside on it and draws connections between them."
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article2726190.ece
http://www.w3.org/2001/sw/
Semantic web is a web of data. "The Semantic Web is about two things. It is about common formats for integration and combination of data drawn from diverse sources, where on the original Web mainly concentrated on the interchange of documents. It is also about language for recording how the data relates to real world objects. That allows a person, or a machine, to start off in one database, and then move through an unending set of databases which are connected not by wires but by being about the same thing". Semantic web allows comuters to read the internet.
"Web 3.0 refers to the attempt by technologists to overhaul radically the basic platform of the internet so that it 'understands' the near infinite pieces of information that reside on it and draws connections between them."
http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article2726190.ece
http://www.w3.org/2001/sw/
Week 9/10 - Digital divide, social-economy and global acess.
Looking at the digital divide between Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants in Prenskys work, we may also be able to identify a divide in society. Digital Natives are more likely to use the internet for shopping, not only with sites like amazon, e-bay and play, which are exclusively online stores, but many high street stores such as TopShop and Le Senza now have online stores, as well as supermarkets. Obviously, by allowing people to shop from the comforts of their own homes,this is largely going to benefit the companies. This wouldnt apply for digital immigrants, as they are more likely to leave the house to use such services.
The whole idea of the digital divide effect interaction between immigrants, natives and things we do. For example, rather than actually meeting up or making a phone call, many people nowadays rely on MSN, social networking sites and text messaging at the main ways of communication. Even childhood is effected by this digital divide. When I was younger I used to have books read to me and spend summer in the garden with my neighbours, but it seems this has changed. When I visiting my young cousins last weekend, they were using consoles to read stories and play games, rather than physically reading of playing the games themselves.
When we think of global access, we generally think of the positive things, like how communication between people miles apart can be effectivley active. This new digital way of communicating allows us to talk to people over the other side of the country and world, which obviously benefits us as its convinient and bridges a gap.
The whole idea of the digital divide effect interaction between immigrants, natives and things we do. For example, rather than actually meeting up or making a phone call, many people nowadays rely on MSN, social networking sites and text messaging at the main ways of communication. Even childhood is effected by this digital divide. When I was younger I used to have books read to me and spend summer in the garden with my neighbours, but it seems this has changed. When I visiting my young cousins last weekend, they were using consoles to read stories and play games, rather than physically reading of playing the games themselves.
When we think of global access, we generally think of the positive things, like how communication between people miles apart can be effectivley active. This new digital way of communicating allows us to talk to people over the other side of the country and world, which obviously benefits us as its convinient and bridges a gap.
Week 9/10 Wenger and Prensky
Wenger and Prenskys idea's can relate to each other as they both talk about how technology helps people to learn.
Both of the ideas see technology and learning as beneficial to students, with Prenskys notion of technolocy having such a strong impact on the lives of"digital natives", and Wenger seeing Communities of Practice as a way for people to work together to get to the same place. E-learninf in incorporated into both of these ideas.
Both of the ideas could be critised though, as far too many assumptions are made. Prensky assumes that everyone who is under the age of 25 should have been bought up in a digital world, and therefore labelled a Digital Native. Assuming that everyone in this age range has top knowledge of technology is a negative thing, as many people challenge this. Also, in both Prenky and Wengers idea, they never consider e-learning to be a bad thing and put students at disadvantage. Does using the internet hinder students chance of reaching their full ability? Does the fact that there is limited face to face interaction mean that students are less likely to succeed?
Both of the ideas focus on techno-determinism, saying that we are shaped by technology, suggesting students need it to succeed and reach their potential. Although in many cases it shows that E-learning is effective, the whole idea fails to recognise negative aspects of technology, its completely one sided, thinking that it is 100% beneficial to students. Prensky and Wenger ignore the idea that the effectiveness of e-learning can be hindered by a number of things, and the notion of digital natives can be challenged.
Both of the ideas see technology and learning as beneficial to students, with Prenskys notion of technolocy having such a strong impact on the lives of"digital natives", and Wenger seeing Communities of Practice as a way for people to work together to get to the same place. E-learninf in incorporated into both of these ideas.
Both of the ideas could be critised though, as far too many assumptions are made. Prensky assumes that everyone who is under the age of 25 should have been bought up in a digital world, and therefore labelled a Digital Native. Assuming that everyone in this age range has top knowledge of technology is a negative thing, as many people challenge this. Also, in both Prenky and Wengers idea, they never consider e-learning to be a bad thing and put students at disadvantage. Does using the internet hinder students chance of reaching their full ability? Does the fact that there is limited face to face interaction mean that students are less likely to succeed?
Both of the ideas focus on techno-determinism, saying that we are shaped by technology, suggesting students need it to succeed and reach their potential. Although in many cases it shows that E-learning is effective, the whole idea fails to recognise negative aspects of technology, its completely one sided, thinking that it is 100% beneficial to students. Prensky and Wenger ignore the idea that the effectiveness of e-learning can be hindered by a number of things, and the notion of digital natives can be challenged.
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Website Five (with URL)
http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/Digital-Natives.htm
I found this article really interesting as it contrasts to the several different pages I have looked at. Rather than discussing why Prensky is wrong, this page focuses on supporting his ideas, saying that there is a digital divide. The site is mainly based on Prensky, and quotes him throughout. I couldnt find a publication date for it, but it seems up-to-date and fairly recent. Although this particular page only deals with Prenskys view point, it does a great job in descriptivley analysing his ideas and refers to many things to back it up (native lingo, games consoles, email etc). I think this works well as it doesnt just simply re-tell Prenskys ideas, it incorporates other things into to make you understand it and put the ideas into actual use and real life
I found this article really interesting as it contrasts to the several different pages I have looked at. Rather than discussing why Prensky is wrong, this page focuses on supporting his ideas, saying that there is a digital divide. The site is mainly based on Prensky, and quotes him throughout. I couldnt find a publication date for it, but it seems up-to-date and fairly recent. Although this particular page only deals with Prenskys view point, it does a great job in descriptivley analysing his ideas and refers to many things to back it up (native lingo, games consoles, email etc). I think this works well as it doesnt just simply re-tell Prenskys ideas, it incorporates other things into to make you understand it and put the ideas into actual use and real life
Website Four (with URL)
http://educationalissues.suite101.com/article.cfm/digital_natives_and_digital_immigrants
This website it quite similar to many I have looked at. It effectivley divides the two terms "digital native" and "digital immigrant" with examples and meanings. The way the webpage is structured is really easy to read and it helps grasp an understanding of what the terms mean. The page talks about "digital natives" havent adapted their life to technology, they havent adapted to using internet, email and social networking sites, its just a natural occurance to them, they were born into a world of digital technology so have grown up with it surrounding them.
The website also talks about "digital immigrants" as being people who are older, and may know how to use the internet and computers, but not be so up-to-date and know the lingo that younger people do.
The article was written in 2008 so it is fairly new, and people have since posted comments with their responses. The responses are what interested me the most, at two twenty year olds have said that they dont neccessarily feel they are digital natives, they feel "in between" the digital divide. This caught my attention as they are suggesting that age doesnt always come in to it, which opposes what Prensky focused on in his theory.
This website it quite similar to many I have looked at. It effectivley divides the two terms "digital native" and "digital immigrant" with examples and meanings. The way the webpage is structured is really easy to read and it helps grasp an understanding of what the terms mean. The page talks about "digital natives" havent adapted their life to technology, they havent adapted to using internet, email and social networking sites, its just a natural occurance to them, they were born into a world of digital technology so have grown up with it surrounding them.
The website also talks about "digital immigrants" as being people who are older, and may know how to use the internet and computers, but not be so up-to-date and know the lingo that younger people do.
The article was written in 2008 so it is fairly new, and people have since posted comments with their responses. The responses are what interested me the most, at two twenty year olds have said that they dont neccessarily feel they are digital natives, they feel "in between" the digital divide. This caught my attention as they are suggesting that age doesnt always come in to it, which opposes what Prensky focused on in his theory.
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