The Digital Divide in the UK

What is the Digital Divide?

Generally this has been defined as the fact that some people have access and use lots of new technologies.  Other people do not have access to technology for many different reasons. 

Your Task is to read pages 31 to 33 which details the digital divide and some of the reasons why different people do not access the available technology.  As you will see from the map below: 

 

 

It shows that there are regional divisions within the UK which can be explained by some of the factors listed in Task 1.26. Please complete Task 1.26 on page 31.  Then examine the implications of the digital divide and add any that you think of, or give example of each of the points raised.

 

The implications of the digital divide are divided into four sections:

1. Economic
2. Educational
3. Social
4. Cultural
 

Copyright Images & Social Networks

There is debate being had over copyrighted images and Social Network sites like Facebook as these sites claim rights over all images posted on Facebook even if you delete your account.

Please read this article and add to your post on Copyright images.

Internet Safety & The Law

When we us the Internet we are faced with many dangers.  In the outside world we protect ourselves from dangers.  When we drive a car we wear a seat belt. When we enter a building site we wear a hard hat and reflective clothing.  When we ride a motorbike we wear a crash helmet.  We do all these things to protect ourselves from potential harm. 

 

We should do the same when we go onto the Internet, as here two there are dangers not of a person physical nature, but risks to our files and programs. 

 

This week we will look at the risks, the protections methods, and the law that exist to cover the Internet.

The Data Protection Act 1998 - concerns data about people - There are 8 Principles

The Computer Misuse Act 1990 - covers hacking.

The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 - covers copyright.

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 -

covers employers looking at workers' email security etc.

The Communications Act 2003 is often used when people send offensive emails etc

The Digital Economy Act 2010 - covers software piracy.

These laws protect the use of images, software, hardware and what is called Intellectual Property. 

 
What is Intellectual Property?
The Government has a department that protect our Intellectual Property see their website for informationon copyright law and intellectual property; Intellectual Property Office.

Task
Explain each of the risks that are faced by anyone using the internet, from Viruses, Spyware, Cookies, Spam, Phishing , Hackers and Identity Theft, and how the Act listed and linked above help to protect us from the risks and also explain each of the following:

• Copyright
• Patents
• Trade Marks
• Designs
• Other protection 

History of Mobile Phones - how have they changed?

Here an article on Mobile Phones - Read through it and draw out any interesting points?
Consider questions like:
How have phone altered over time?
How has mobile phone usage changed over time?
How has phone design improved?
Why do some people keep using their first phone?
Why are phone companies keen to offer you a new phone every few years?

MSN pull the plug on Messaging Sevice

With the news that MSN have cut their Instant Messaging Service how does this change the post we wrote about Instant Messaging.  Please read this article below and others on the Internet about this change and how will effect the current users. 

Virtual Learing Environments

This has become a very popular way for Schools, College and Universities to store their course materials and allow students access to tasks and resources.

On Page 24 there is list of benefits of VLE's can you make your own list of disadvantages.
Aslo compare the College or Sixth Form VLE (Moodle) with your old schools VLE.
What information do they hold and does it work. 

Email - Protocols

When you open emails or send emails it will use one of two different systems, POP3 or IMAP4

Task 1.21
Find out the difference between IMAP4 and POP3.
Write a Brief description of how each protocol works.