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Elements of digital citizenship

Question 1(a).

Digital Access:  is the availability and accessibility of the use of technology by society.

Example - easy access of internet browsing.

 

Digital Commerce: the buying and selling of goods electronicallyExample: through Amazon, Takealot, Spree, Zando, Woolworths.

 

Digital Communication: the electronic exchange of informationExample - 'using email.using cell phones to send and receive messages instantlyas opposed to writing and posting a letters. Taking a picture or video using a cellphone and sending it to the recipient.

 

Digital Literacy: ALA Digital Literacy Task Force, defines digital literacy as" the ability to use communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, andcommunicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills". [http://connect.ala.org/node/181197]

 

Digital etiquette: basic standards of behaviour to be followed by digital usersExample - making the digital environment safe for others by not using a languagethat is offensive.

 

Digital Law: electronic responsibility for actions and deedsThe laws that govern or direct the equitable use of information and communicationtechnologies.Example - downloading pornography is illegal, may be arrested if caught.

 

Digital Rights & Responsibilities: privileges & benefits extended to everyone inthe digital realmExample - every individual has a right to use the internet for information, it is everyindividual's responsibility however to use the internet for information that is safe tothemselves and others.

 

Digital Health & Wellness : physical and psychological well-being in a digitaltechnology worldExample - Issues that may arise from overuse of technology and internet like stressto one's eyes or back because of spending a lot of time behind a computer.

 

Digital Security: electronic precautions to guarantee safetyExample - protection of information on our digital equipment like installing virus protection software test Work.

 

The Productivity Paradox - it is an opinion made by analysts, that as more investment is made in information technology, worker productivity may go down instead of going up. The level of staff skills improves as the technology grows. (Macdnald Et al)

 

 

Bibliography

  1. Hjelmervik, O. R., & Wang, K. (2001). Introduction to Knowledge Managment: Principles and Practice. Tapir Academic Press.

  2. Macdonald, Stuart. Anderson, Pat. Kimbel, Dieter. Journal/Paper: Measurement or Management?: Revisiting the Productivity Paradox of Information Technology. 1999. London. [Online] Available at http://www.diw.de/documents/publikationen/73/38739/v 00 4 9.382949.pdf. [Accessed 27 August 2015]

  3. Visser, Marijke. (2012). General News & Discussion. Digital Literacy Definition. ALAConnect, [Online report]. Available at http://connect.ala.org/node/181197 [Accessed 10 October 2015].

Question 1(b).

 

The digital divide separates those who can afford the costs and accessibility of digital connectivity and those who cannot, the 'haves and the have not's'. It is the gap between individuals, households and businesses at different socio-economic levels with regard both to their opportunities to access information and communication technologies (ITs) and to their use of the Internet for a wide variety of activities.

 

The digital divide reflects various differences among and within countries.The ability of individuals and businesses to take advantage of the Internet varies significantly across countries. Access to basic telecommunications infrastructures is vital to any consideration of the issue, as it precedes and is more widely available than access to and use of the Internet.

 

The digital divide might then lead to loss of social capital which might affect some people's self-worth and confidences as well as leading to negative and at timesdangerous reactions.The divide would also limit the access of important information that could helppeople improve their lives.

 

 

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