When considering socio-cultural implications on education from an educator’s
perspective, two paradigms should be investigated. The first has reference to
socio-cultural issues prior to engaging in the learning process through the
medium of internet technology (Pre-IT engagement). The second focuses on the
socio-cultural implications after the individual has embraced learning through
internet technologies (Post IT Access).
Pre-IT engagement
(1)
Access (Aust Bureau of Statistics: 8147.0, 2000,
www.abs.gov.au/abs%40.nsf )
a) Infrastructure: Is there internet accessibility via cable, phone
line, satellite.
b) Proximity: Access via local library, school or other portal.
c) Personal computer and integrated software.
(2)
Literacy
a) Computer literacy / techno-phobia
b) Basic reading writing and literacy skills
c) ESL and Language of choice
(3)
Cultural & Religious considerations
(http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~mryder/aect_96.html)
a) Religious restrictions (The Brethren)
b) Gender issues: Patriarchal systems, women & education
c) Home/ workplace support
(4)
Economic Considerations (unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0010/001008/100803e.pdf)
a) Continued cost of participation
b) Initial cost of Hardware etc
c) Housing
Pre-IT Engagement
Access
Infrastructure
Proximity
Software / Hardware
Literacy
Computer literacy
Basic literacy
Language
Culture / Religion
Religious restrictions
Culture / Gender issues & Taboo’s
Home / workplace support
Economic considerations
Cost of continued participation
Initial cost of hardware / software
Housing
Post IT Access
Continued Access
Availability of hardware/software
Continued connection
Proximity
Social Norms
Communication / Language
Acceptable Behaviour
IT management
Cultural considerations
Gender
Unlimited www access
Cross cultural integration
Literacy
Multi-linguality
Multi Media capacity
Emoti-cons
Hearing Impaired/disability
Online Culture
Online Persona
Relationships
MUDS
Post IT Access
(1)
Continued Access
(Aust Bureau of Statistics: 8147.0, 2000,
www.abs.gov.au/abs%40.nsf)
a) Availability of hardware/software
b) Continuation of connection: cost, line interruption, reliability
c) Proximity: Continued access to libraries, schools, workplace,
public facilities etc
(2)
Social Norms (http://wendy.seltzer.org/blog/archives/000111.html)
a) IT Management: controlling time spent on the internet,
monopolizing facilities, Workplace/Education facility IT policy
b) Acceptable behaviour: deviant & predatory behaviour, visual
and actual
c) Communication & Language: ESL, abusive language
(3)
Cultural Considerations (http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0202/022602h1.htm)
a) Gender (http://www.worldbank.org/gender/digitaldivide/sophiahuyer.htm)
b) Unlimited access to www: no boundaries, integrated culture and
learning, breaches cultural barriers, open to extra-cultural
thinking and concepts (http://www.stephenelittle.com/nonlin.html)
c) Cross cultural integration: blended cultures
(4)
Literacy (http://campus.fortunecity.com/newton/40/home.html)
a) Multi-linguality (http://www.psrtec.clmer.csulb.edu/literacy)
b) Multi-media learning capacity: web cam, music, video, chat
rooms etc
(http://gpn.unl.edu/cml/cml_product.asp?catalog%5Fname=GPN&category%5Fname=Increasin
g+Student+Learning+Through+Multi%2DMedia+Projects&product%5Fid=1451)
c) Emoti-cons: internet based language
d) Hearing Impaired: capacity for learning for disabled
(http://ncam.wgbh.org/cdrom/guideline/all_print.html)
(5)
Online Culture
a) Online Persona
b) Relationships
c) MUDS