...discusses how they are related. Discuss the impact of the personal computer, cellular phones, and the internet on society. Using the three major sociological perspectives, describe the equilibrium model, the digital divide and cultural lag in relation to these technologies and social change. Include how technology has influenced social epidemiology, health and the environment. Explore a recent or emerging form of technology and discuss its potential benefits or consequences for society. Provide a conclusion that summarizes key points. Cite at least three academic, peer-reviewed sources and two popular magazines. Format the paper consistent with APA guidelines. Submit your assignment to the Assignments tab.Write an 1,050- to 1,400-word essay on technology and social change, covering the following: Provide an introduction that defines both technology and social change and discusses how they are related. Discuss the impact of the personal computer, cellular phones, and the internet on society. Using the three major sociological perspectives, describe the equilibrium model, the digital divide and cultural lag in relation to these technologies and social change. Include how technology has influenced social epidemiology, health and the environment. Explore a recent or emerging form of technology and discuss its potential benefits or consequences for society. Provide a conclusion that summarizes key points. Cite at least three academic, peer-reviewed sources and two popular...
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...Though we have sunk our teeth really deep into the debilitating impacts of the digital divide problem – not only in Third-World countries, but also in the world at large – it is, however, still an inexhaustible topic. In the course of my research, I identified a couple articles which expounded on the aforementioned problem and how, in some cases, its presence could be indicative of acute negligence on the path of the leadership of some developing societies. The subsequent paragraphs, therefore, delve deep into the distinct, interesting perspectives from the articles gathered from my research. The first article covers Google’s attempt to bridge the digital divide, particularly in the United States. They also intend to work their way up to the other countries, such as Uganda, where the digital divide problem is supremely exacerbated by misappropriation of national resources and other social issues too. According to Brick, author of ‘Is Google Making the Digital Divide Worse?’, “… [Google] plans to spend $1.5 million this year to support computer science education around the world.” Therefore, it stands to reason that Google is heavily invested in tackling the digital divide problems. As a matter of fact, they envision a future in which “internet access will be a basic human right” (Brick). Thus, the end goal is to provide free WI-FI to developing societies, in Africa, plagued with the digital divide issue. This noble yet arduous undertaking has stirred controversies from citizens of...
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...The Digital Divide and Society Vincen Brown Eng/147 May 2, 2015 Erin Nemiroff The Digital Divide and Society Ever wonder how the digital divide in our country could affect you and your family? The digital divide is bigger than we think, and it affects us all differently. Technology is advancing faster than anyone could have imagined 20 years ago. Some people are being left behind because they do not want to learn the latest in technological advancements. It also has an effect on our youth with how education is being taught in the 21st century. How do all of these advancements in technology affect our economy? There is a digital divide in our country's healthcare, education, and economics. Understanding the digital divide in these areas advancements in technology, education for our students, and help stimulate economic growth and progress. The digital divide has a major effect on the healthcare system and some of its features. The technology advancements in the healthcare system have been incredible over the past couple years. People are using the latest in technology to access such resources as information about an illness they could have or a person's medical records. The "The Great Digital Divide in Healthcare: Older Americans May Be Left Behind" (2014) a website that points outpatients may gain access to their medical records via smartphone, tablet, or computer. People will have access to reminders of when they are due for visits, screening...
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...Into the Great Divide The digital divide can be understood as inequalities in four successive types of access: motivation, physical access, digital skills and different usage. It is claimed that the divide has shifted from the first to the last-called types of access in the last ten years. For the purpose of this paper I will touch base on all types of access. Disadvantages Amongst Man Contemporary research of the digital divide and digital skills is marked by a descriptive nature. Inequalities are described using simple demographics of individuals who have more or less access to computers and the Internet and a different level of digital skills. The explanation of these differences has far less attention. One of the reasons for this state of affairs is the predominance of individualistic notions of inequality. Like most social scientific and economic investigations, digital divide research works on the basis of so-called methodological individualism (Wellman & Berkowitz, 1988). Differential access to information and computer technologies (ICTs) is related to individuals and their characteristics: level of income and education, employment, age, sex, and ethnicity, to mention the most important ones. This is the usual approach in survey research, which measures the properties of individual respondents. Making multivariate analyses of several individual properties and aggregating them to produce properties of collectivities, one hopes to find background explanations. This...
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...communication. Some further examples of these technologies include photo sharing, video sharing, data sharing, blogs, social networks, podcasts and internet calling to name a few. These technological advancements directly impact our civilizations, changing our cultural trends and reshaping our social perceptions. The media influences the society by presenting persuasive messages to the people, changing people’s thoughts about their appearance, values and behaviors. There is a measurable digital divide between the haves and the have nots in society on both a domestic and global level. The digital divide is a social issue referring to differing amounts of information available to populations. It became a popular term in the 1990’s among scholars, policy makers and advocacy groups. The digital divide includes more than just media concerns. This is because technology is everywhere around us. These areas include, literacy, economic groups, rural growth, disabilities, restrictions on freedom, and the access to basic telephone service. When these factors are working in combination they work together to erode the flow of growth towards bridging the digital divide. There are some places in the world where technology has not yet developed enough to successfully navigate the world of modern communication techniques. In some places...
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...Digital Divide: Literature Review Name Institution Course Professor Date Abstract A digital divide is the economic and social inequality in relation to access to and use of information technologies among populations and demographics. This paper is a literature review of peer reviewed and scholarly articles that seek t bring the issue into perspective. The paper discusses the apparent existence of the digital divide, as well as the methods and strategies implemented to curb the divide. Schools and communities are utilizing technologies, but the gap of access and acquisition is brought in by factors such as low incomes. There is also the generational gap since the old people may not know about the technologies, or they may acquire but lack necessary skills to use them. A gap exists also among the different layers of acquisition of technology, ability to manipulate information, and consumption of information as is apparent with mobile phones. It is therefore essential to have mechanisms that narrow the digital divide by enabling internet access to all areas, and use of technologies equally n communities and in schools for all groups. The literature asserts that it may be difficult to close the gap completely, but it is possible to narrow the gap and benefit many minorities. Introduction In essence, one of the problems occurring in America recently is the digital divide apparent among populations...
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...navigation by providing data for navigation the most famous are the GPS NAVSTAR. They provide rescue services by sending signals of those in distress allowing others to locate and help them. These are some of the few connections in which as the book says made people to connect worldwide Question 2) The New Public Sphere, In a well-developed paragraph (4-5 sentences), what does Manual Castells mean by Global Civil Society? The global civil society is the organized expression of values and interest of society. Manuel castells defined the global civil society in three definitions which are a global or international frame of reference in their action and goals, Social movements that aim to control the process of globalization, and the movement of public opinion”. Global civil society wants the government to seek the best for it citizens. Those involved in civil society advocates the publics opinion. They are like the voice of the people. Question 3) Overcoming the Three Digital Divides. In a well-developed paragraph (4-5 sentences) A) what are the three digital divides? B) Does the author believe the liberalization of...
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...the Information Society Forum 2015 represented the world's largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development' community. The Forum was co-organised by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It was intended to help organisations coordinate multi-stakeholder activities, information exchange, the creation of knowledge, and the sharing of best practices. Globethics.net organised a workshop on the 29th of May, on "The Ethics of Digital Innovation", during which fundamental questions surrounding the many social, legal and economic repercussions of new digital technologies, and what power relations are at play were raised and addressed. With Prof. Dr Christoph Stückelberger as moderator, four panellists gave their views on some of the ethical issues that they have come across in their own fields, and where they saw the need for a great ethical understanding and awareness. Prof. Patrick-Yves Badillo, Director of Medi@LAB-Genève, with his presentation entitled "New digital divide, or squaring the circle?" intended to delve deeper into the preconceived notions that we might have surrounding the global ‘digital divide'. Digital technologies were seen as the key solution in the 1990s, and as a key factor for growth, competiveness and greater employment. Closing the digital divide, defined as the...
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...INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT THE DIGITAL DIVIDE The digital divide, simply put, is the gap between those people and communities with access to information technology and those without it. Yet, the fact is there are many divides, characterized by community, ethnic, economic, and age groups. These differences provide the basis for much research into internet use, and for the identification by some of the digital divide as an increasingly important feature of the growing economic and political gaps within and across 'developed' and 'developing' countries. The internet can be used as a tool for social, political and economic participation. Its facilitation of one-to-many and many-to-many communication and open publishing means that those affected by the divide may suffer disadvantages relating to education, employment and awareness of contemporary issues. The digital divide is now seen as a pressing international and consequently, much research and media attention have been directed at understanding who is affected and why. It is generally accepted that the digital divide is more than just an issue of access, and information technology training and literacy is needed to assist those affected by the digital divide, who can then create content relevant to their needs. Internet and computer use has undoubtedly increased in the United States and the digital divide may be smaller within certain populations. However, it remains a fact that poorer people may not be able...
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...Digital Divide Vincent Koke INF Computer Literacy Ashford University Meredith Kiljan May 6, 2013 It didn’t take long after the technological boom that accompanied the internet era for us to realize that we now had to face the problems that would come from the Digital Divide. Almost immediately we began to see a separation of large proportions regarding age, race and lower income households. Whenever there is a divide created in society if it is not addressed quickly it can grow roots and have severe long term affects. This is a problem that if left alone could do catastrophic damage to the economic and social stability of the United States and the world. When the technical explosion erupted decades ago, Hispanics and African Americans as well as other minority’s where much less likely to use one of these incredible machines. As time went by another problem presented itself. As this innovation grew it became obvious that these groups had less access to the Web. This coupled with slower online connections and antiquated equipment put them on the wrong side of the digital divide. This technology is becoming almost a necessity in this day and age. It is clear that having quality internet access can be beneficial in many ways. It gives the user an avenue to educational opportunities, employment, and public health availability. It is extremely critical that we are able to provide lower income households the ability to acquire a quality...
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...race is a social construction, the issue has adapted and changed vastly over the last two-hundred years, yet still remains extremely prevalent in society today. In Divided by Faith, authors Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith delve into the issue of race in the present day United States. Specifically, the authors target Protestant Evangelism and how white Evangelical principles have exacerbated, and continue to exacerbate the racial divide in America. Through in-depth field research, involving over 200 phone and face-to-face interviews with Evangelicals and people of color, Emerson and Smith were able to tackle and analyze an issue that had gone essentially unheard-of. The book as whole, especially the interview process, enlightened me to a problem that I, as well as many others, had never thought about before. The authors analyze the racial divide by discussing how Protestants view the issue of race. While these Evangelicals actively try to break the divide, their core principles and values do the opposite. Before reading the book, I knew many Christians who work to reach out to people of color, but I had never thought about how the way they went about it held them back. The thing that most interested me was looking at the issue on an interpersonal vs. institutional level. Part of the reason Evangelicalism is holding the racial divide firm is that they tend to look at problems on a personal level, rather than an institutional one; if something is wrong in a person’s life, they...
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...ICT RESEARCH TASK- THE DIGITAL DIVIDE DIGITAL DIVIDE: “A term that describes the division of the world into two camps, those who have access to the Internet and other advanced information technologies and those who don't. The term highlights the issue that those who do not have access to such technology are potentially destined to futures where they will be at an economic disadvantage.” WHAT CAUSES THE DIGITAL DIVIDE? (Include differences in technology and areas of society) When thinking of the digital divide, it is important to understand that a lot of factors come into play that affects the gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not. One of the main factors affecting the digital divide and access to technological...
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...III who ruled from 1881-1894 and his son Nikolas II who ruled 1894-1905. Tsarist rule in Russia had its many opponents from the larger radical parties such as the Social Democrats and the Social Revolutionaries, however some argue that it was the divides in these groups and society as a whole that had delayed the revolution whilst others believe it was the result of external factors that allowed the tsarist regime to continue through the animosity it faced. A major divide in the opponents of tsarist rule was class. The divide in personal wealth was larger in Russia than in any other world super power. With the landed classes obtaining most of the wealth and the peasantry and former surfs who made up 80 % of the population however barely getting by, this economic divide caused a major divide in society. The educated classes apposed the tsarist regime due the fact it halted their position in society not allowing them to move up and benefited only the landed classes. The bottom of Russian society, the peasantry and the surf population also opposed the tsarist regime due the not only the emancipation which caused more harm than good but also the fact that they were the ones that suffered most under the tsarist regime however this divide meant that both groups took time to realise they could work together to defeat tsarist rule allowing it to continue...
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...Report Title: poverty versus digital divide gap Course- Research Methodology (MGT 411) Presented by:- Md.Tariqul Islam Students of BBA 2nd batch, 4th year 2nd semester Roll no- 06671622 Session 2006-2007 Section- B E-mail:-tareq622 @gmail.com Department of Management Studies Under the supervision of (Mr.Md.Shahidul Islam Fakir, associate professor, department of Management studies) Faculty of Business Studies JAGANNATH UNIVERSITY DHAKA Submission date- June , 2012 Title of report: digital divide gap vs. poverty. Is there any relation between them? Table of content |Serial no |Title |Page no | |1 |Abstract | | |2 |Literature review | | |3 |Background and ICT status of Bangladesh | | |4 |Executive summary | | |5 |Main body (Current scenario, Challenge, Recommendation) | ...
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...A 'digital divide' can be described as an economic inequality between groups, this simply refers to the amount of people that have access to the latest information technologies and to those who do not. There is a clear digital divide in our modern society, the main denominator being age. Because of the recent advancements in technology, the modern adolescent has grown up with all things digital i.e. The internet, television, games consoles etc. In complete contrast, the adults of todays world lacked most of these ‘modern day necessities’ growing up. The complete and utter difference in lifestyles has ultimately led to a rewiring of the human brain. Children of the modern world are fully adjusted to modern technology and digital media from a very early age whereas the older generation need more time to adapt to the often complicated new technology. "We see marked differences in behaviour within countries – with a clear divide between younger and older groups. Younger people are more likely to use social media and aggregator brands and in all countries they show a strong preference for online." (Newman, Nic, NN, (2013), 'Digital News Report 2013', Uneven Pace of Change - Differences between and within Countries) There are of course many advantages of the new digital society in which we live. The internet can be used as a tool to connect with people all over the world, business conferences can be held via the internet in real time saving time and money for thousands of businesses...
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