Re: [DDN] blocking newspapers and TV
Hi Don, others, Does registration automatically = spam? I'd probably agree that it does, to some extent...but spam filtering is a necessity in today's internet anyway, so this cost may be unavoidable. For your school, why not allow teachers / students to register using non-school email addresses? There are differences in how internet policies are shaped. The policy you've outlined seems to be based on some well thought-out arguments; other schools' policies do not. There are schools Andy Carvin has encountered which do not allow access to his blog, or to MySpace, or to many other sites. This level of filtering rivals AOL's decision to filter out all email content critical of AOL. At some point, filtering spam and protecting users becomes so invasive that we're actually filtering out useful content. I would argue that Andy's blog, for example, has content that may be of use to an educator. If this is the case, for even *one* website, we've gone too far, and our filtering is invasive. MySpace is an example of one of these sites. Some members of this listed have posted that MySpace makes up such a large percentage of their bandwidth use that they've banned access to it. I'm not sure where I stand on this, but my initial reaction is that MySpace is an example of the direction the internet is moving. Many of your students simply would not be so motivated about the internet without it, and would not have the skills they have. Also, restricting access to MySpace is to undervalue it and underestimate it; it can be justified by making the argument that there is not enough educational value in MySpace for it to be worth the bandwidth or the time. That's a policy-level problem. MySpace is a phenomena that pervades teen life in the United States and elsewhere in the world. Social Networking is one of the hot topics in web 2.0 development / discussions. To deny this is to turn a blind eye to one of the directions our internet is moving in. I would argue that MySpace is a constant...whether or not schools choose to engage it, MySpace will be a part of a significant (and rising) number of the children under your care. MySpace also represents several very well documented risks to those children, as does the internet in general. To turn away from this is to turn away from your responsibility as an educator. Since a school is not in a position to ban MySpace (only to ban it from school, which doesn't address MySpace use from other locations) we don't have the option of turning away from the problem and pretending it doesn't exist, even if we would find it more convenient to do so. Every single time a teen acts inappropriately or unsafely on MySpace, we've failed as a society and a culture in our educational policies. We can point the finger at the parents, but the truth of the matter is that parents are all too often far behind their children in technological awareness. A parent who still types in caps is hardly in a position to teach netiquette. The public education system seems to be the only institution that has the resources, infrastructure, and expertise to meaningfully educate children in this regard. Digital literacy programs, as a result, need rising budgets and more innovative programs to succeed. If a lack of resources is forcing public institutions to abandon some of these responsibilities, then some reform is required. That's where my thought processes end, because I don't know how to address the problem of a lack of resources in the educational system. If a school says that this is not their responsibility, I believe they are incorrect. If a school says that this is and should be their responsibility, but they don't have the funding to train a teacher and run the class, then I'm not sure what to recommend...educational reform (or even change) always seems to come with a price tag, and that price tag seems to be a prohibitive obstacle. Perhaps foundation and corporate funding specifically for digital literacy training in schools, conducted internally or by a local community technology center, may enable an answer? Dave. --- Dave A. Chakrabarti Projects Coordinator CTCNet Chicago [EMAIL PROTECTED] (708) 919 1026 --- Don Cameron wrote: Following this thread it's clear Jayne and Dave make excellent points about the need to re-educate educators in 'net inclusion... Nonetheless I think some 'net activists can at times be a bit harsh on our schools, and perhaps not accepting that educators often have a very good handle on the reality of 'net inclusion... Often better than some activists. We should have little doubt the school referenced by the comment we are blocked from registering on a newspaper or TV site due to school policies, is in fact very aware of the commercial nature of newspaper and TV web site transactional registrations - That there is nothing altruistic being offered by these commercial
Re: [DDN] healthy people 2010 and the digital divide
Hi April, tossing out my two cents. :-) April KirkHart wrote: I just want to make sure we don't miss the point that there is data out there which shows that information from the Internet can move some people to actually seek a medical professional's counsel whereas they might not otherwise. Granted, that has it's pluses and minuses as many medical professionals know all too well (the Lunestra comment was duly noted). Consider that the Lunestra comment came from Trinidad and Tobago, which gets cable television mainly from South America. The television tells me to ask my doctor about Lunestra. So, playing along I do so - and my doctor laughs at me and tells me to stop drinking coffee. I like coffee. I go to the pharmacy and ask for Lunestra, since I can get just about anything I need from a pharmacy in the region without a prescription. They don't have any, but they have Ambien. So I buy some Ambien, and I take the Ambien with some coffee. :-) Purely speculative, of course, but plausible. The data that is out there about seeking a medical professional's counsel... it may not be of use in countries where I can just walk into a pharmacy and get some Tylenol 3 because I have a headache. :-) If I have a headache THAT bad, I should probably see a doctor. If that data is to be used, cultural changes have to be made. I'm sure that the data is valid in some parts of the world, but that data may have come from studying global exceptions. Personally, I like being able to short circuit doctors with minor things, but I have had some medical training and I also am quite certain where my medical training ends. In many ways, I'm the poster child of what people shouldn't do in this context, but I am not alone. I've seen people go in and buy one penicillin tablet. One. A 10 day supply for any infection is supposed to be worthwhile. Why did they do that? Probably word of mouth, not internet access, but what is the difference between internet access and word of mouth? So, I'd suggest being careful with that data... I don't think it fits everywhere. In addition, Internet access is not only about information, but applications that can facilitate getting care to some people who don't have access to health care otherwise and improving quality of care. A number of these applications have a real impact on health and health care - for example, enrolling people in public health programs in the U.S., as well as in disease management from home (children using a web-based program to monitor and report on asthma from home which reduced asthma-related limits on activity by 48% compared to a control group - asthma is one of the most frequent reasons why children miss school). All of these applications come from the data of the respective country or region. Getting that data first is very important, and sadly that's one of the core problems. I am working on something that should help address that (MAHIN), but it remains a problem and I do not see it changing over the next 5 years despite what might be considered individual heroic efforts throughout the region by many medical professionals. I've been fortunate enough to meet some. Telemedicine is another example. It relies heavily on broadband infrastructure and access - and can help get medical care to people who don't have access to enough physicians or physician specialists in the U.S. It does not mean that we shouldn't still work on getting more physicians to those areas, but in some cases, a telemedicine program can help physicians and other medical professionals from feeling isolated (opportunities for continued learning, connection to universities and larger hospitals, connection to colleagues and mentoring, etc.) which may make living and working in more remote areas more attractive. I think *this* is the biggest thing. And I think that this can help accumulate more appropriate data for regions. I just didn't want us to miss out on the ways that technology and Internet access to increase contact with and between medical professionals. AND you are absolutely right to make sure that we don't forget that in-person human contact is so very important for healing and health. Thank you for making sure that didn't get lost in this conversation. I always get scared in conversations like this. I really do. It's an awful responsibility that many people remain ignorant of, or forget when dealing with statistics... One of these days, I'll shuffle off to become a statistic and I worry that someone might put me in the wrong stack. :-) -- Taran Rampersad Presently in: San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago [EMAIL PROTECTED] Looking for contracts/work! http://www.knowprose.com/node/9786 New!: http://www.OpenDepth.com http://www.knowprose.com http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/Taran Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/knowprose/ Criticize by creating. — Michelangelo ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing
[DDN] new article - learning more about sketchup
hi Digital Divide Network community - i've been teaching myself about google's free sketchup 3D software. this software is simply amazing. so i've written up some notes about how people can go about learning more about sketchup. i mention DDN towards the end of this article. http://digg.com/design/Learning_More_About_SketchUp if you support this kind of article, thanks for registering for a free account on digg. if you do register on digg, thanks for sending me (off-list) your digg screen name. i'd like to add you as a digg friend. - phil -- Phil Shapiro [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/pshapiro http://philsrssfeed.blogspot.com http://www.his.com/pshapiro/stories.menu.html Wisdom starts with wonder. - Socrates Learning happens through gentleness. -- Phil Shapiro [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/pshapiro http://philsrssfeed.blogspot.com http://www.his.com/pshapiro/stories.menu.html Wisdom starts with wonder. - Socrates Learning happens through gentleness. ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
[DDN] COMING SOON! The Code Breakers - A BBC World Documentary on Free/Open Source Software and Development
== COMING SOON! The Code Breakers A BBC World Documentary on Free/Open Source Software and Development http://www.apdip.net/news/fossdoc == The famous digital divide is getting wider. A two-part documentary, The Code Breakers, to be aired on BBC World starting 10 May 2006 examines whether free/open source software (FOSS) might be the bridge? FOSS contains 'source code' that can be used, copied, studied, modified and redistributed without restriction. It has been around for over 20 years but most PC owners are not aware that the Internet search engines and many computer applications run on FOSS. It's not that FOSS has had a bad press, it has had no press because there is no company that 'owns' it, says executive producer Robert Lamb. But we found that in the computer industry and among the afficionados, it is well known and its virtues well understood. The crew of the independent producers who made the film went to nearly a dozen countries around the world to see how the adoption of FOSS presents opportunities for industry and capacity development, software piracy reduction, and localization and customization for diverse cultural and development needs. Stories from The Code Breakers include computer and Internet access for school children in Africa, reaching the poor in Brazil, tortoise breeding programmes in the Galapagos, connecting villages in Spain, and disaster management in Sri Lanka. The documentary also includes interviews from key figures around the world. Intel, IBM, Sun and Microsoft all seem to agree that FOSS is a welcome presence in computer software. According to Jonathan Murray of Microsoft The Open Source community stimulates innovation in software, it's something that frankly we feel very good about and it's something that we absolutely see as being a partnership with Microsoft. BBC World will air the two-part documentary at the following times: Episode One Wednesday 10 May 19:30 GMT Thursday 11 May 09:30 GMT Friday 12 May 16:30 GMT Monday 15 May 01:30 and 07:30 GMT Episode Two Wednesday 17 May 19:30 GMT Thursday 18 May 09:30 GMT Friday 19 May 16:30 GMT Monday 22 May 01:30 and 07:30 GMT For local times, please lookup your country in the TV Listings on BBC World's website http://www.bbcworld.com/content/template_tvlistings.asp?pageid=668. The International Open Source Network (IOSN), UNDP Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme (UNDP-APDIP), International Development Research Centre of Canada and UNESCO have participated in the production of this documentary. Christine Apikul UNDP-APDIP ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
[DDN] E-Learning in Africa (Egypt) - LIVE - FREE
ANNOUNCEMENT: FREE E-LEARNING IN AFRICA WEBINAR FROM TRAINERSPOD.COM TITLE: e-Learning at the American University in Cairo, Egypt SPEAKER: Maha Bali (Senior Instructional Technologist, Center for Teaching Learning) DATE: Thursday 11th May 2006 TIME: 9:30 am EST, 2:30 pm GMT, 4:30 pm Cairo Time SPONSOR: http://www.Elluminate.com and http://www.TrainersPod.com COST: FREE INFO: http://www.trainerspod.com/info REGISTRATION: http://www.trainerspod.com/register Maha Bali, Senior Instructional Technologist, at The American University in Cairo (AUC), will talk about the use of WebCT and 'e-Learning at AUC. This is the first event in the 'E-learning in Africa' Series from http:/www.trainerspod.com . This event is sponsored by Elluminate.com R Maha Bali will discuss e-Learning at AUC and present a case study of e-Learning in Africa and specifically in Egypt. In this first event of e-Learning in Africa Webinar Series, Maha Bali will give results from several surveys done in AUC, showing student and instructor perceptions of WebCT and online learning and teaching. This is a fascinating window on the issues that face the development of e-Learning in the continent of an Africa. Maha Bali will also discuss the different ways some instructors have been using online discussion in their courses. This includes a variety of teaching, learning and assessment strategies that will help the audience build a rare view of the variety of practice, knowledge and expertise that is already being used at AUC in Africa. A rare opportunity to ask questions and discuss the issues raised with the guest speaker will be provided. Seats will be allocated on a first come first served basis on the day of the event. Your registration for this event is vital. For more information about this Webinar you may learn more at: http://www.trainerspod.com/info You may register for this FREE event by visiting: http:/www.trainerspod.com/register Booking closes Wednesday 10th May, 9 pm EST. Those accepted will get a username and password for the Live Webinar in Elluminate and a link to the virtual lecture theater. We will keep a reserve list in case of late drop outs but we suggest you reserve your place early to avoid disappointment. We also recommend that you show up early to secure a seat. COMPUTER NEEDS: You will need speakers for hearing the discussion. You would benefit from a microphone to ask questions vocally, but you can type in your questions if you do not have a microphone. INFO: http://www.trainerspod.com/info REGISTRATION: http://www.trainerspod.com/register http://www.trainerspod.com Asif Daya. USF Private, Confidential, Privileged Information Copyrighted Materials. DISCLAIMER: This email is intended solely for the addressee. It may contain private and confidential information. If you are not the intended addressee, please take no action based on it nor show a copy to anyone. In this case, please reply to this email to highlight the error. Opinions and information in this email that do not relate to the official business of the company of this e-mail account shall be understood as neither given nor endorsed by the company. We have taken steps to ensure that this email and any attachments are virus-free, but we do advise that the recipient should check that the email and its attachments are actually virus free. This is in keeping with good computing practice. ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
[DDN] Jobs at Project: Think Different
About Project: Think Different Project: Think Different is an empowerment media non-profit organization that uses the arts and popular culture media to increase the power of voices in civic dialogue and participation to ensure equity and fairness. We use music, film and video as an organizing tool to reach those disengaged and to inspire them to think differently about their ability to create positive change in their lives, communities, and society at large. Project: Think Different's (PTD) messages in music, film and video, fuel empowering beliefs about our ability to create positive social change. The *Youth Media Coordinator VISTA* will work closely with the Media Education Organizer as well as the Executive Director, Program Manager and Creative Digital Specialist to develop tools to carry out the goals of the Youth Media Institute. The Youth Media Coordinator VISTA will be a point person for the Youth Media Institute programming, and will work closely with the staff to create a strong infrastructure for ongoing PTD youth programming. This opportunity is perfect for a recent college graduate with experience in Youth Media and a passion for creating lasting social change. 1. Development.Develop a replicable, uniform system of packaging all PTD workshop curricula. Assist Media Watch Team, a team of ten teen staff members working to create a media literacy workshop series, in the development and enacting of the Media Action Series. Work with community partners to develop maintainable infrastructure for Youth Media Institute programming. 2. Vision and Leadership. Work with the Media Education Organizer, Executive Director and Program Manager to develop and online presence reflective of the organization's mission and vision, as well as the diverse perspectives of artists, students, staff, and community allies. 3. Maintenance and Evaluation. Research, identify, and employ tracking techniques for evaluation of programs' effectiveness. Develop, support, and continuously improve program in collaboration with facilitators, volunteers and Action Tank. Project manage related key programs and events. 4. Collaboration and Relationship Building. Create and sustain partnerships with non-profit, artist, activist, media, higher education, legal, philanthropic, and financial communities. Facilitate workshops in community organizations within the Media Action Series, and other PTD workshops. 5. Fundraising and Resource Identification. Work with the Media Education Organizer, the Program Manager, and the Executive Director to identify funding sources and pursue funding opportunities for the Youth Media Institute. Initiate and develop personal fundraising goal of $1,000. *Qualifications* Project: Think Different's Creative Digital Media Specialist will be: · A dynamic, passionate leader with the ability to bring focus and inspiration to the staff, volunteers, and Board ·Organized and dependable ·A strategic thinker and an entrepreneur ·Capable of integrating dynamic programs with the institutional stability and long-term vision necessary to deliver quality programs ·Flexible, open-minded, collaborative, and most importantly…creative! The Youth Media Coordinator VISTA will also have the following professional qualifications: ·Experience in teaching and/or youth programming required ·Experience working in the media arts/communications industries strongly preferred ·Excellent oral and written communication skills ·Experience supervising and working effectively in a fast paced environment requiring initiative, reliability and resourcefulness; fund-raising ·Peer Leadership—school or community-based, experience volunteering, and/or activism ·Knowledge of Internet, email, Microsoft Office required ·Commitment to making a difference ·Bachelor's degree. Advanced degree in relevant field is valuable but not required ·Ability to work effectively in and with diverse communities and youth a MUST. *Compensation and Location* In addition to compensation, AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) members who successfully complete a term of service are eligible to receive either an AmeriCorps Education Award or up to $4,725 or an end-of-service stipend. Additional benefits include training, a living allowance, limited health care benefits, relocation expenses, student-loan forbearance or deferment, and non-competitive eligibility. For more information about the mission and benefits of being an AmeriCorps*VISTA, visit the CTC VISTA website at cpcs.umb.edu/VISTA. * * *How to Apply* Applicants should send a cover letter and resume to Cara Lisa Powers, Media Education Organizer, by email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] (preferred), or by regular mail to 14 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108. Visit our website at www.projectthinkdifferent.org. ** *About The Position:* *The Creative
[DDN] Scientific Publishers Leery of Cornyn-Lieberman Open Access Legislation
Hi everyone, Last week, US Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Joseph Lieberman (D-Connecticut) proposed the Federal Research Public Access Act of 2006, a groundbreaking bill that will shake the foundations of scientific research publishing. The bill proposes that scientific articles based on research funded by the federal government must be made freely available to the public over the Internet within six months of publishing. If enacted into law, the bill would force scientific publishers to release the full text of articles that would otherwise be accessible to libraries and professionals who pay hefty fees for access. All federal agencies that spend at least $100 million a year funding scientific research would require its grantees to participate in the program, hosting the research texts online in a stable digital repository. Tax payer-funded research should be accessible to tax payers, said Sen. Lieberman in a statement. Our bill will give researchers, medical professionals and patients in Connecticut and throughout the nation access to scientific discoveries and advancements that can help bring new treatments and cures to the public. Unfortunately, as it stands now, most Americans have little - to no - timely access to this wealth of information, despite the fact that their tax dollars paid for the research, said Sen. Cornyn in a speech on the Senate floor. Our bill simply says to all researchers who seek government funding that we want the results of your work to be seen by the largest possible audience. It will ensure that U.S. taxpayers do not have to pay twice for the same research - once to conduct it, and a second time to read it. Read more on my blog here: http://www.andycarvin.com permalink: http://www.andycarvin.com/archives/2006/05/scientific_publisher.html Digg it: http://digg.com/science/Scientific_Publishers_Leery_of_Open_Access_Publishing_Legislation thanks, andy -- -- Andy Carvin acarvin (at) edc . org andycarvin (at) yahoo . com http://www.andycarvin.com http://www.digitaldivide.net http://www.pbs.org/learningnow -- ___ DIGITALDIVIDE mailing list DIGITALDIVIDE@mailman.edc.org http://mailman.edc.org/mailman/listinfo/digitaldivide To unsubscribe, send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the message.
