If we look at both of Wenger’s and Prensky notions on both communities of practise and education, there would be a way in which we can relate them together.
With Wenger’s theory looking at communities of practise, what he tends to make his point more about is not that this includes hobby groups, but more of that it involves a group of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.
Whilst Prensky’s theory takes a look at how students these days are using their technology knowledge to the advantage in their educational lives.
Prensky sees that we should be letting the students do what they do well, which is the use of technology as a tool, while the teachers and faculty sit back and rather than be technology users, ‘they’re guides, question askers, quality providers, then we can get a partnership’.
So the way we can relate these two theories together is that with students, as they have to same interest in technology, they can also be classed as a community of practice with having this general interest in common with one another.
Tuesday, 24 March 2009
Week 9 - Digital Divide, Social-Economy and Global Access
When we look at the digital divide between digital native and immigrants, there may also be an effect on the social economy in the society we live in. For example, with the digital natives being use to using the online buying sites such as eBay and Amazon (two are the largest sites in the UK), a majority of the items they purchase is done from the comfort of their own home.
Even now with food. The day of physically popping out to the shops for the week’s food shop is over as now a large number of people are ordering from home, only to have it delivered a couple of days later.
This may have a effect on this already large digital divide, however in terms of the economy, it is only helping as more and more businesses are benefitting from this service. For example more of the brand high street shops are turning to the internet as well, to fit in with this digital age.
Where as with the digital immigrants, they still remain leaving the house and doing the jobs and shopping in person.
This is another aspect in the fact that we are losing a sense of communication between people and things we do. Such as for kids, they are turning to technology instead of going out for a kick about and most of us now use social networks and instant messaging to talk instead of in person. Now it seems it is turning to the world of economy and consumption.
If we were to look at global access issues across countries and regions, we may tend to think towards how this digital divide and advances have created opportunities to keep in contact with those we cannot reach in person.
So when we have people we know in the other side of the world such as friends and family (myself included), this new digital way of talking to one another seems to have it’s benefits.
Even now with food. The day of physically popping out to the shops for the week’s food shop is over as now a large number of people are ordering from home, only to have it delivered a couple of days later.
This may have a effect on this already large digital divide, however in terms of the economy, it is only helping as more and more businesses are benefitting from this service. For example more of the brand high street shops are turning to the internet as well, to fit in with this digital age.
Where as with the digital immigrants, they still remain leaving the house and doing the jobs and shopping in person.
This is another aspect in the fact that we are losing a sense of communication between people and things we do. Such as for kids, they are turning to technology instead of going out for a kick about and most of us now use social networks and instant messaging to talk instead of in person. Now it seems it is turning to the world of economy and consumption.
If we were to look at global access issues across countries and regions, we may tend to think towards how this digital divide and advances have created opportunities to keep in contact with those we cannot reach in person.
So when we have people we know in the other side of the world such as friends and family (myself included), this new digital way of talking to one another seems to have it’s benefits.
Week 9 - Education Tailored To Our Preferences?
In the new day and age when we all live amongst numerous different cultures, it would be very small minded to only learn issues close to the individual.
What I think is that everyone needs a general knowledge of different cultures and backgrounds. When we entre the big scary world of work, there may not be a job which is catered for all our preferences and would involve having a wider knowledge than of the one we would have which is based around ourselves.
As we have all been raised at taught different cultures and backgrounds, for instances from the right of the start of secondary school we had French or German lessons for the majority of us.
So in the end if this was to ever happen in the world of education, not only would there be a digital divide but also a educational divide as those who looked at a broader range will have a higher knowledge than those who chose what to study.
However a way of making this broad range of studying more enjoyable and tailored to some extent would be to spread of the learning to different forms of media, such as text, moving image and of course the internet.
What I think is that everyone needs a general knowledge of different cultures and backgrounds. When we entre the big scary world of work, there may not be a job which is catered for all our preferences and would involve having a wider knowledge than of the one we would have which is based around ourselves.
As we have all been raised at taught different cultures and backgrounds, for instances from the right of the start of secondary school we had French or German lessons for the majority of us.
So in the end if this was to ever happen in the world of education, not only would there be a digital divide but also a educational divide as those who looked at a broader range will have a higher knowledge than those who chose what to study.
However a way of making this broad range of studying more enjoyable and tailored to some extent would be to spread of the learning to different forms of media, such as text, moving image and of course the internet.
Week 9 - What Is Semantic Web?
‘The Semantic Web is the extension of the World Wide Web that enables people to share content beyond the boundaries of applications and websites. It has been described in rather different ways: as a utopic vision, as a web of data, or merely as a natural paradigm shift in our daily use of the Web’.
(http://semanticweb.org/wiki/Main_Page)
So when we think of semantics, we think the study of the meaning of communication, and in this case the web.
But in general, the introduction to this semantic web is to make the web a lot smarter with machines being able to read computers, which then takes the human operator out of the equation, so that they can perform more of the tedious work involved in finding, sharing, and combining information on the web.
(http://semanticweb.org/wiki/Main_Page)
So when we think of semantics, we think the study of the meaning of communication, and in this case the web.
But in general, the introduction to this semantic web is to make the web a lot smarter with machines being able to read computers, which then takes the human operator out of the equation, so that they can perform more of the tedious work involved in finding, sharing, and combining information on the web.
Week 9 - Difference Between Semantic Web and Web 3.0?
When first thinking are both the semantic web and web 3.0, they seem to be similar, however there is a difference.
They may both be (or suppose to be) ultra fast versions of the internet but the semantic web is a system which allow computers to read the internet, whilst the web 3.0 will be able to connect different items together on your personal computer or laptop through suggestion.
‘In a little over a decade, according to the engineers building the internet of tomorrow, the web will be able to connect every aspect of our digital lives - be it a website, an e-mail, or a file on our PC - to every other aspect. It will know, for instance, when you are typing an e-mail, what the subject of the e-mail is, and be able to suggest websites and books as well as documents, photos and videos you have saved that may be relevant to that topic.’
(http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article2726190.ece)
Although there seems to be some confusion to what the different between the two are. Many have classed the two as the same thing. With both under development and wont be released for another decade at the same point. However with the speed experts say the web 3.0 will develop, this will rely on the semantic web as it will be run by other computers to match the speed, as a human operator will not be able to manage such a task.
They may both be (or suppose to be) ultra fast versions of the internet but the semantic web is a system which allow computers to read the internet, whilst the web 3.0 will be able to connect different items together on your personal computer or laptop through suggestion.
‘In a little over a decade, according to the engineers building the internet of tomorrow, the web will be able to connect every aspect of our digital lives - be it a website, an e-mail, or a file on our PC - to every other aspect. It will know, for instance, when you are typing an e-mail, what the subject of the e-mail is, and be able to suggest websites and books as well as documents, photos and videos you have saved that may be relevant to that topic.’
(http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/the_web/article2726190.ece)
Although there seems to be some confusion to what the different between the two are. Many have classed the two as the same thing. With both under development and wont be released for another decade at the same point. However with the speed experts say the web 3.0 will develop, this will rely on the semantic web as it will be run by other computers to match the speed, as a human operator will not be able to manage such a task.
Monday, 23 March 2009
Week 9 - Should education 'stretch' a person?
When we think of putting a person through education, I think the concept ‘stretch’ wouldn’t be the right terminology to use.
If I used an ordinary child as an example of being put through education, of course we want them to do the best they can to their ability. However the concept of stretched makes it sound as though they are being forced into it by the parent.
I’d say that education should challenge the child a little more so as results seem to be growing higher every year, which simply shows the level of intelligence in young individuals is rising (and not that silly theory that key stage exams are getting easier).
Although I’d only say ‘stretch’ is a strong word for that example for those of a young age.
If we were to look at undergraduates like ourselves, this would be more appropriate. With the majority of degree’s lasting three years, the student should be pushed or stretch to the best of their abilities. The whole idea of university is to prepare them for a better career/life and if a bit of extra momentum will help that, then more the better.
However it’s not just with the work load that can stretch a person’s education. With this unit titled ‘new media’, it can stretch a persons ability to use programs and gain further knowledge through different sources. What I’d mean here would be the online resources such as the portal, blackboard and e-learning. This would certainly be useful in this digital age we are entering and living in and certainly an advantage to those who are classed as digital immigrants and have to compete with natives who are already use to these technological advances.
If I used an ordinary child as an example of being put through education, of course we want them to do the best they can to their ability. However the concept of stretched makes it sound as though they are being forced into it by the parent.
I’d say that education should challenge the child a little more so as results seem to be growing higher every year, which simply shows the level of intelligence in young individuals is rising (and not that silly theory that key stage exams are getting easier).
Although I’d only say ‘stretch’ is a strong word for that example for those of a young age.
If we were to look at undergraduates like ourselves, this would be more appropriate. With the majority of degree’s lasting three years, the student should be pushed or stretch to the best of their abilities. The whole idea of university is to prepare them for a better career/life and if a bit of extra momentum will help that, then more the better.
However it’s not just with the work load that can stretch a person’s education. With this unit titled ‘new media’, it can stretch a persons ability to use programs and gain further knowledge through different sources. What I’d mean here would be the online resources such as the portal, blackboard and e-learning. This would certainly be useful in this digital age we are entering and living in and certainly an advantage to those who are classed as digital immigrants and have to compete with natives who are already use to these technological advances.
Week 9 - The Oldest digital native
I’d have to say the oldest digital native I know would be my own father. Having recently hit the big 50, he is still well aware to today’s modern digital advances and can work with them, most of the time!
With his job constantly working at a computer designing new fitting for building and other things like that, he has had to gain an understanding of what else comes with the computer package such as e-mailing.
He may not have started with the computer software, (as it was done on huge draft boards) but he can work very well with it. In many ways he prefers this new digital version of work as it can be done a lot quicker and cleaner.
Not only with computers has he manage to change the way he takes everyday by now, but also in the world of phones. Having to make and receive dozens of calls a day and travelling around the country to different jobs he has had to summon himself to the world of mobile communication. Which again has seem to not affected him at all (what can I say, it’s me who can’t even work his blackberry!).These are the main two things in this digital world that is associated with him but at least these count for something as computers and mobiles seem to be the two main digital media which have taken oven our lives and the world in this new digital age
With his job constantly working at a computer designing new fitting for building and other things like that, he has had to gain an understanding of what else comes with the computer package such as e-mailing.
He may not have started with the computer software, (as it was done on huge draft boards) but he can work very well with it. In many ways he prefers this new digital version of work as it can be done a lot quicker and cleaner.
Not only with computers has he manage to change the way he takes everyday by now, but also in the world of phones. Having to make and receive dozens of calls a day and travelling around the country to different jobs he has had to summon himself to the world of mobile communication. Which again has seem to not affected him at all (what can I say, it’s me who can’t even work his blackberry!).These are the main two things in this digital world that is associated with him but at least these count for something as computers and mobiles seem to be the two main digital media which have taken oven our lives and the world in this new digital age
Week 9 - The youngest digital immigrant
There aren’t really a lot around in general. However if I had to think I one, it would be a friend from back home who has little knowledge of using today’s technology for communication. Of which who is a year younger than myself.
Having little access to the internet, contacting him with limited to only the phone. So the whole idea of social networking and instant messaging seemed to be a complete mystery to him.
Having only just finished college, most of his educational life was done the traditional way, e.g. text books and pen and paper. So the who idea of submitting work on the web or completing assessments on the computer didn’t always seem necessary.
I would only class my friend as a digital immigrant as it is very hard to think anyone who isn’t under 30 nowadays. I would have liked to say my mother as she doesn’t know the difference between e-mail and text, but she is middle aged.
Having little access to the internet, contacting him with limited to only the phone. So the whole idea of social networking and instant messaging seemed to be a complete mystery to him.
Having only just finished college, most of his educational life was done the traditional way, e.g. text books and pen and paper. So the who idea of submitting work on the web or completing assessments on the computer didn’t always seem necessary.
I would only class my friend as a digital immigrant as it is very hard to think anyone who isn’t under 30 nowadays. I would have liked to say my mother as she doesn’t know the difference between e-mail and text, but she is middle aged.
Week 9 - Threatens the notion of Digital Culture
If I had to think of an individual who threatens this notion in digital culture, I’d have to say it would be a relative of mine back home who is in his early 30’s. Obviously being of this age, we would class him as a digital immigrant which is what I thought for many years as I have never seen him with a mobile or at a computer. Yet when he comes round to the house, he can use my computer and music library like he has been for years. This is the same the other week when I showed him my new phone and managed to have a look through my videos and music without me telling him how to do so. An impressive achievement seeing as myself (over 10 years younger) took a couple of days to learn the same things!
Although I’d like to refer this back to something I found last week by Rochelle Mazar, in that she says we are never to old to learn something, ‘Being a “digital native” is not about your early experiences’.
Although I’d like to refer this back to something I found last week by Rochelle Mazar, in that she says we are never to old to learn something, ‘Being a “digital native” is not about your early experiences’.
Week 9 - One fictional neo-luddite coming up!
What I think I’ll do is try to imagine what would happen to a neo-luddite in life today, as my creative side is pretty crap art the minute.
Right from the word go a neo-luddite would struggle with both educational and social sides of life at a university. I’ll tend to use this university as the example.
They would even struggle just to gain access to their timetable as of course it is accessed online. Although hopefully the classes would go a little better as they wouldn’t chose a class that involves computer work, however it can’t bound to last long in this modern age.
As for the students social life (as long as they like pubs/clubs and alcohol), they will also see an affect in the way they communicate with friends. With everyone now social networking sites, keeping in contact would be very limited as of course mobiles will be out of the question for social life.
So this both education and friendships under jeopardy, the university life for a neo-luddite would be very tough and limited indeed.
Right from the word go a neo-luddite would struggle with both educational and social sides of life at a university. I’ll tend to use this university as the example.
They would even struggle just to gain access to their timetable as of course it is accessed online. Although hopefully the classes would go a little better as they wouldn’t chose a class that involves computer work, however it can’t bound to last long in this modern age.
As for the students social life (as long as they like pubs/clubs and alcohol), they will also see an affect in the way they communicate with friends. With everyone now social networking sites, keeping in contact would be very limited as of course mobiles will be out of the question for social life.
So this both education and friendships under jeopardy, the university life for a neo-luddite would be very tough and limited indeed.
Week 9 - The technophile if the future will be very cool I bet!
Obviously with technological advances increasing each year with us to have the ability to do more, the ones of 2020 are hard to think of at this point in time.
However I can’t see that the world will be one big city with flying car clogging the skies. The universities will still have the usual features such as lectures and seminars of which will be carried out in person. However I can imagine that the majority of work, such as assignments, in all courses will be completed digitally, such as through typed out or drawn out on some kind of super advanced software compared to the ones of today.
That would be my interpretation anyway, is too hard to predict the future!
However I can’t see that the world will be one big city with flying car clogging the skies. The universities will still have the usual features such as lectures and seminars of which will be carried out in person. However I can imagine that the majority of work, such as assignments, in all courses will be completed digitally, such as through typed out or drawn out on some kind of super advanced software compared to the ones of today.
That would be my interpretation anyway, is too hard to predict the future!
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Week 8 pt.1 (apologises for the lateness of this work)
‘Digital Immigrants’ are those who were already socialized in pre digital ways when digital technology arrived on the scene.
This term has seemed to have a big impact on the world of the media today as we live in this digital age.
We see how the older generation are learning to cope with this change I everyday life while the younger ones who have grew up with it can expand on it and use this new digital technology available in different ways. These younger individuals who are familiar with these technological advances are known as ‘digital natives’.
An example of this digital immigration in the UK recently would be the digital switch over in the world of television. We are seeing how some are having to adapt to the new ways as the digital world advances around our lives.
This new sense of adapting to the new ways can be seen as a process of learning a new language in the ‘digital immigration accent’. This includes turning to the internet for information secondly rather than first.
Prensky, M. (2001) Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
This term has seemed to have a big impact on the world of the media today as we live in this digital age.
We see how the older generation are learning to cope with this change I everyday life while the younger ones who have grew up with it can expand on it and use this new digital technology available in different ways. These younger individuals who are familiar with these technological advances are known as ‘digital natives’.
An example of this digital immigration in the UK recently would be the digital switch over in the world of television. We are seeing how some are having to adapt to the new ways as the digital world advances around our lives.
This new sense of adapting to the new ways can be seen as a process of learning a new language in the ‘digital immigration accent’. This includes turning to the internet for information secondly rather than first.
Prensky, M. (2001) Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants
http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf
Week 8 pt.2
In this article I found on The Times website, it looks at the comparison of ‘digital natives’ and ‘digital immigrants’. Using a daughter and a mother who are both living in this digital age, it talks of how the native (the daughter) is coping with all the new technologies we have turned to fine, whilst the mother (or the immigrant), is finding this adaption to the world a lot more difficult.
As one sentence states, ‘The digital native’s brain is physically different as a result of the digital input it has received growing up’.
This article basically looks at the major difference these two generations have against each other, even though there is only a 20 year different between them. Hence, showing the advances we have come through in the past decade or so.
The article tends to focus on the mother as she questions and discusses how today’s children who are growing up with this technology are coping and if it has had an effect on them. An example of this change from analogue to digital would be that kids would write their thoughts into a personal diary, while now this has also has changed to digital in the form of blogging and social network sites where we can talk about ourselves for all to see.
I could personal reason with the mother in this example as there has been a big change in the way people are brought up in the past decade as everything now can be done by the touch of a few keys, however these digital immigrants need to understand that the world is changing and should start to involve themselves with it, as eventually it will start to affect their lives too soon.
Woods. R (2006) The next step in brain evolution: Technology is dividing us into digital natives and digital immigrants - and changing the way we think
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article683193.ece
As one sentence states, ‘The digital native’s brain is physically different as a result of the digital input it has received growing up’.
This article basically looks at the major difference these two generations have against each other, even though there is only a 20 year different between them. Hence, showing the advances we have come through in the past decade or so.
The article tends to focus on the mother as she questions and discusses how today’s children who are growing up with this technology are coping and if it has had an effect on them. An example of this change from analogue to digital would be that kids would write their thoughts into a personal diary, while now this has also has changed to digital in the form of blogging and social network sites where we can talk about ourselves for all to see.
I could personal reason with the mother in this example as there has been a big change in the way people are brought up in the past decade as everything now can be done by the touch of a few keys, however these digital immigrants need to understand that the world is changing and should start to involve themselves with it, as eventually it will start to affect their lives too soon.
Woods. R (2006) The next step in brain evolution: Technology is dividing us into digital natives and digital immigrants - and changing the way we think
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/article683193.ece
Week 8 pt. 3
In this article by Siva Vaidhyanathan, he again looks at this generation divide in digital users. However the way he looks at this contempory issue are the ways in which this can be both an advantage and disadvantage to today’s youth.
One of the positives we draws from how kids today are being brought up with digital advances is that with them having a higher knowledge and understanding of this new technology, it gives them a sense of power over the adults who are left ‘fumbling and hopelessly out of touch, and youth, seen as masterful’.
Whilst on the other hand, the negative aspect brought up again is that with this new technology, it affects the traditional child’s up bring. For example instead of them going out to the park with their friends, they are now preferring to stay in and surf the web or play on computer games etc.
So the main item that is brought to our attention here by Siva is how there is a whole new culture divide between two generation which are next to each as the result in digital technology advances and the affects on today’s children’s up bringing.
Vaidhyanathan, S. (2007) The Googleization Of Everything
http://www.googlizationofeverything.com/2007/12/the_problem_with_digital_nativ.php
One of the positives we draws from how kids today are being brought up with digital advances is that with them having a higher knowledge and understanding of this new technology, it gives them a sense of power over the adults who are left ‘fumbling and hopelessly out of touch, and youth, seen as masterful’.
Whilst on the other hand, the negative aspect brought up again is that with this new technology, it affects the traditional child’s up bring. For example instead of them going out to the park with their friends, they are now preferring to stay in and surf the web or play on computer games etc.
So the main item that is brought to our attention here by Siva is how there is a whole new culture divide between two generation which are next to each as the result in digital technology advances and the affects on today’s children’s up bringing.
Vaidhyanathan, S. (2007) The Googleization Of Everything
http://www.googlizationofeverything.com/2007/12/the_problem_with_digital_nativ.php
Week 8 pt. 4
With this article found, it was a response to the one I found from The Times Online. Rochelle Mazar however looks beyond the main points about digital natives and immigrants between different ages and looks at if being a digital immigrant in this digital world is such a bad thing.
Her main argument is that why should those over 20 years old be classed as something else just because they have a smaller knowledge of some digital equipment. She says that the digital immigrants can change and adapt to this new world by learning the ropes with one quote that stood out to me: ‘Because we all stop learning at age 20, right? And there should be no more pressure to learn after that. Is that really the world we want to live in? That’s like asking us to stop reading after age 20’.
She when goes on to use her own personal experience in comparing herself to a digital native and show that anyone over 20 who hasn’t been brought up by technology can easily accomplish the same things, such as being able to use the internet, download items etc. To summarize it, age should not be an issue as ‘Being a “digital native” is not about your early experiences’.
Mazar, R. (2006) Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants
http://www.mazar.ca/2006/07/18/digital-natives-vs-digital-immigrants/
Her main argument is that why should those over 20 years old be classed as something else just because they have a smaller knowledge of some digital equipment. She says that the digital immigrants can change and adapt to this new world by learning the ropes with one quote that stood out to me: ‘Because we all stop learning at age 20, right? And there should be no more pressure to learn after that. Is that really the world we want to live in? That’s like asking us to stop reading after age 20’.
She when goes on to use her own personal experience in comparing herself to a digital native and show that anyone over 20 who hasn’t been brought up by technology can easily accomplish the same things, such as being able to use the internet, download items etc. To summarize it, age should not be an issue as ‘Being a “digital native” is not about your early experiences’.
Mazar, R. (2006) Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants
http://www.mazar.ca/2006/07/18/digital-natives-vs-digital-immigrants/
Week 8 pt.5
In this final article I found, comparing the differences of digital natives and immigrants, it again looks at this cultural and age divide and the way the younger generation has been brought up on technology. However instead of Marc Prensky focusing on the negative aspects of the digital up bringing of today, he looks at how the digital immigrants should and easily could change in the way they teach the natives of today. ‘We need to help all our students take advantage of these new tools and systems to educate themselves’.
However the one thing I’d say of this ‘solution’ this that yes the internet and other technologies have seem to take over the world and young people’s lives, but we shouldn’t make such a sudden transition from analogue to digital. In education for example, books have been probably the best resource in academic learning and will still be so in the next decade. The internet may be here to stay, but so shall these tradition methods of research and understanding.
Prensky, M. (2005/6) Educational Leadership
http://www.ascd.org/authors/ed_lead/el200512_prensky.html
However the one thing I’d say of this ‘solution’ this that yes the internet and other technologies have seem to take over the world and young people’s lives, but we shouldn’t make such a sudden transition from analogue to digital. In education for example, books have been probably the best resource in academic learning and will still be so in the next decade. The internet may be here to stay, but so shall these tradition methods of research and understanding.
Prensky, M. (2005/6) Educational Leadership
http://www.ascd.org/authors/ed_lead/el200512_prensky.html
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Week 7 - South African Distance Education (My Example)
With the business for online education growing in Africa due to the constant low level of qualifications people gain, I thought I’d keep to this area of the world for those who want to take their educational lives past primary level.
With countries in the south of the continent having a better economy in general, I thought I’d take a look into what South Africa offers it’s children in today’s educational world which the use of technology.
Therefore I found a site called SAIDE, which stands for South African Institute for Distant Learning.
With the organisation having principles including:
· Lifelong learning
· Building on learners experiences
· Encouraging independent and critical thinking
· Flexible arrangements for learning
· Recognition of prior learning
· Credit accumulation
· A fair chance of learner success
The group looks very promising for those who want to gain higher education. This has been an opportunity for South African’s for over 15 years now as the program was set up in 1992 and has helped thousands who haven’t or don’t have access to a local facility which offer courses.
One of the reasons why this learning source has been carried out for these years is that SAIDE gain funding through various projects and grants. As of late most of the income comes from commissioned projects, one which they hope will support them for the formidable future.
With countries in the south of the continent having a better economy in general, I thought I’d take a look into what South Africa offers it’s children in today’s educational world which the use of technology.
Therefore I found a site called SAIDE, which stands for South African Institute for Distant Learning.
With the organisation having principles including:
· Lifelong learning
· Building on learners experiences
· Encouraging independent and critical thinking
· Flexible arrangements for learning
· Recognition of prior learning
· Credit accumulation
· A fair chance of learner success
The group looks very promising for those who want to gain higher education. This has been an opportunity for South African’s for over 15 years now as the program was set up in 1992 and has helped thousands who haven’t or don’t have access to a local facility which offer courses.
One of the reasons why this learning source has been carried out for these years is that SAIDE gain funding through various projects and grants. As of late most of the income comes from commissioned projects, one which they hope will support them for the formidable future.
Week 7 - Zambia Leaning
Even before reading this article on the level on education for African children, my and I’m sure many other people’s initial thoughts are that due to the low level of education in the continent as a whole and in this case Zambia, they are going to be very low.
So with the availability of e-learning to children in the country, this is only seen as a plus. Even with the country located near southern Africa, the level of opportunity is much greater for those children of the same age in the north of the continent.
One part of the article which caught my eye was that ‘Almost two-thirds of the children end their education at the primary level. Only one-third of the primary-school graduates have the opportunity to go on to a secondary education. Of those who enrol for primary education, less than 20 percent enter secondary school, and only 2 percent of the 20 to 24 age group enter a university or some other form of higher education’. So with e-learning coming into play for thousands of children around the country, this new way of learning can only be seen as a positive.
However these learning services would only be available to those who are in one of the main cities in Zambia. With these new classes becoming accessible through the internet, the only points would be from internet café’s or the lucky few who have it back at their homes. Not a reliable educational source considering the economy state.
But there is still hope is the radio educational service seems to be more hopeful and successful with more families and children have access to the box.
Zambia isn’t exactly the worst country in Africa coping with poverty for many families, in fact from the sound of this article it sounds that many families are doing well with the mention of children listening to music through their i-pods, CD’s and mobiles.
As the article states; ‘On the affordability of gadgets, John observed that the prices were now coming down and that parents should be able to afford them for their children. However, he suggested that it would be easier for all students to access these eLearning programmes on the radio, which was an ICT product that was found in almost every home, including rural households’.
As a whole though the prospect of learning on a higher level for young individuals in Zambia is certainly looking positive.
So with the availability of e-learning to children in the country, this is only seen as a plus. Even with the country located near southern Africa, the level of opportunity is much greater for those children of the same age in the north of the continent.
One part of the article which caught my eye was that ‘Almost two-thirds of the children end their education at the primary level. Only one-third of the primary-school graduates have the opportunity to go on to a secondary education. Of those who enrol for primary education, less than 20 percent enter secondary school, and only 2 percent of the 20 to 24 age group enter a university or some other form of higher education’. So with e-learning coming into play for thousands of children around the country, this new way of learning can only be seen as a positive.
However these learning services would only be available to those who are in one of the main cities in Zambia. With these new classes becoming accessible through the internet, the only points would be from internet café’s or the lucky few who have it back at their homes. Not a reliable educational source considering the economy state.
But there is still hope is the radio educational service seems to be more hopeful and successful with more families and children have access to the box.
Zambia isn’t exactly the worst country in Africa coping with poverty for many families, in fact from the sound of this article it sounds that many families are doing well with the mention of children listening to music through their i-pods, CD’s and mobiles.
As the article states; ‘On the affordability of gadgets, John observed that the prices were now coming down and that parents should be able to afford them for their children. However, he suggested that it would be easier for all students to access these eLearning programmes on the radio, which was an ICT product that was found in almost every home, including rural households’.
As a whole though the prospect of learning on a higher level for young individuals in Zambia is certainly looking positive.
Week 7 - Chinese Democracy, I mean Distance Learning
Whilst reading through this article, I’ll be honest, it didn’t surprise me to hear of this advanced level of learning with the use of communication technology. Not just that the Chinese are the king pin of new technologies for interacting with others around the world in this modern age, mainly that they have the highest demand for qualified individuals. As the article states ‘the number of qualified technicians and engineers accounted for only 2.5 per cent of the country's work-force in state-owned enterprises and institutes’. This was at the time when people were almost expected to have access to a telephone or television in their house (as you know these courses were taught via these) in 1975, so it wasn’t shocking to read that 15 years later this number grew to 4.7%. Which equals to 105 million individuals which have a qualification in one of these work areas.
Although one of the other strengths these TVU’s and CRTVU/PTVU’s allowed for their students throughout the country is that the service was cheap to run. Obviously only having one broadcast lesson spreading to hundreds if not thousands of people at the same time, the need of having teachers in schools around the country obviously cuts out the salaries etc.
So with the stats showing as; ‘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’ the success of these courses offered speaks for itself for those who may have access to higher education facilities and so on.
Another strength these courses offer which interested me was the number of TVU staff numbers. As the table shows (Table 1.) that’s both the full time and part time staff numbers have increased by 10,000 in the space of 7 years. This just backs up the success and popularity on this distance learning.
However the one major weakness of these TVU’s and CRTVU/PTVU’s which was brought up in the lecture is that the information passed over to the students in of only one perception and opinion. Not being able to give an own personal opinion disallows discussion and for other points to be raised which could prove useful to the course and the students learning. But in an educational sense of mind who was to complain at the time. As this method has been around for almost the past 50 years.
Although one of the other strengths these TVU’s and CRTVU/PTVU’s allowed for their students throughout the country is that the service was cheap to run. Obviously only having one broadcast lesson spreading to hundreds if not thousands of people at the same time, the need of having teachers in schools around the country obviously cuts out the salaries etc.
So with the stats showing as; ‘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’ the success of these courses offered speaks for itself for those who may have access to higher education facilities and so on.
Another strength these courses offer which interested me was the number of TVU staff numbers. As the table shows (Table 1.) that’s both the full time and part time staff numbers have increased by 10,000 in the space of 7 years. This just backs up the success and popularity on this distance learning.
However the one major weakness of these TVU’s and CRTVU/PTVU’s which was brought up in the lecture is that the information passed over to the students in of only one perception and opinion. Not being able to give an own personal opinion disallows discussion and for other points to be raised which could prove useful to the course and the students learning. But in an educational sense of mind who was to complain at the time. As this method has been around for almost the past 50 years.
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