Currently browsing author

Goodbye UOSM2008, Hello blogging. Final Reflection

UOSM2008 has been a module like no other, learning was focused on the interactions with the online world, whilst gaining new skills and writing in a blog-style. To critically reflect on this module, I will adapt Smyth’s (1989) ‘Reflect on Action’ method to critically evaluate and reflect this journey. Describe What have I done throughout the module? This module was unique in the fact there were no lectures, no exams. The method of assessment was through a regular blog on different topics. Continue reading →

2 people living in​ 1 body – Online Identities Topic 3

Types of Online Identities Figure 1 – Online Identities on Biteable. Created by Will Jones, 2018 (Sources: University of Southampton, 2017; Costa and Torres, 2011)   Figure 2 – Map comparing the 3 online identity types. Created by Will Jones, 2018. Sources (Henry, 2012; University of Southampton, 2017) I have multiple online identities which are aimed at specific audiences. Continue reading →

Topic 2 Reflection – The need for digital literacy.

Introduction This topic was not new knowledge to me, however, the extent to what fake news, filter bubbles and echo chambers are part of our lives was not expected. It was interesting to focus in on filter bubbles and how they influence people and politics (Hern, 2017). Peer Learning Figure 1 – Learning from Chloe’s, Sinead’s and Nikhita’s blog posts Nikhita and I got into a discussion about who is responsible for limiting the fake news publicised. Continue reading →

Filter Bubble: Can we pop it?! – Topic 2

“Filter Bubble” was first coined by Eli Pariser (2011), who described it as a personalised search where algorithms guess what content myself would be interested in using data provided by yourself outlined in the video below: Figure 1 – Filter Bubble on Biteable created by Will Jones: Sources: (El-Bermawy, 2016)   Evidence of Filter Bubbles The effect of filter bubbles had a big effect on the recent US election. Continue reading →

The digital gap and how to solve it – Topic 1 Reflection

  Being a geographer looking at the inequality across the globe is of real of interest to me. Technology shrinks the world allowing us to connect with countries we didn’t think was possible 20 years ago. However, technology has also made the global divide even greater. Reflection on Intro Topic After examining my self-test and marking criteria, I aimed this week to use a wider range of sources and not just infographics. Continue reading →

Topic 1 – 50% of the world use the internet
 what about the other half?

Digital Differences around the world Accessibility to digital technologies varies in every country. Unfortunately, in LEDC‘s the infrastructure and high costs impact people in accessing technology (Figure 1). Figure 1 – Selection of coutries with varying % of internet users made by William Jones. Map provided by: World with Countries and US, Canadian and Australian States – Multicolor by FreeVectorMaps.com. Data provided by: internetlivestats. Continue reading →

Topic 1 – 50% of the world use the internet
 what about the other half?

Digital Differences around the world Accessibility to digital technologies varies in every country. Unfortunately, in LEDC‘s the infrastructure and high costs impact people in accessing technology (Figure 1). Figure 1 – Selection of coutries with varying % of internet users made by William Jones. Map provided by: World with Countries and US, Canadian and Australian States – Multicolor by FreeVectorMaps.com. Data provided by: internetlivestats. Continue reading →

Intro Topic – Reflections on the Module and 1st Post

When first posed the question, “are you a digital native or a digital immigrant?”, I would have hands down said I am a digital native. Being brought up with technology certainly has helped this. However, it wasn’t long before I started doubting my positioning in the groups. The first thing this module required was to set up a blog, for a digital native like I thought I was myself should have been effortless, however, it was the total opposite. Continue reading →

Digital Residents vs Digital Visitors

In 1990, Tim Berners-Lee invented the world wide web and 28 years later we live in a society that is almost dependant on technology. Prensky first classified digital users by ‘digital immigrants’ who were brought up with technology or ‘digital natives’ who were born in the pre-digital era. [1] (Figure 1) Figure 1 – Created with Piktochart Many people challenged this theory, as being born outside of the digital age doesn’t make you any less qualified. Continue reading →