Information Communication Technologies The Children and Young People in Tasmania (CAYPIT) resource is designed to facilitate statistics, qualitative research and other information to a cross section of audiences, including young people, policy makers, program planners and service providers at a state, regional and local level.
At a glance - Information Communication TechnologyInformation Communication Technologies (ICT) plays a key role in the lives of children and young people and it has changed the way that they communicate with each other and with institutions. ICT represents an important medium through which children and young people learn about themselves and connect and relate to others and the world around them.[1] ICT provides an opportunity to reduce isolation for marginalised young people through instant messaging services (such as MSN, SMS), email and social networking sites (FaceBook, MySpace) these sites work to maintain and build new relationships with other young people and build other important connections with youth workers, teachers and service providers.[2] Traditional youth participatory mechanisms, such as advisory committees and groups that rely on face to face communication are being replaced or supplemented with ICT. Evidence suggests that ICT can be used to promote and communicate a whole range of information to young people on health and well being and mental health promotion as well as providing opportunities for civic engagement. It is important that children and young people learn safe social networking and safe cyber practices. Glossary of termsICT is the term used to describe information technology (such as computer hardware and software) and telecommunications (including the internet, mobile phones and landline phones). Social networking sites are online social networks and communities of people who share interests and activities. Users can create their own profile, upload photos and, become "friends" with other users (e.g. MySpace.com, Facebook.com, Bebo.com). Wikis are shared ‘social writing’ software that allow users to add content that can later be edited by other users. Podcasts and vodcasts are time and location independent digital files (for example radio or TV shows) that are available for download. Users can access free software to download these files and transfer them to devices such as iPods, MP3 players and personal computers.[3] RSS feeds (Really Simple Syndication) is a format for delivering regularly changing web content. It allows users to easily stay informed by retrieving the latest content from the sites that they are interested in.[4] Web 2.0 is considered the new wave of the World Wide Web. It enables applications that facilitate online activities and other user-generated content. ‘Web 2.0’ has ‘blurred the boundaries of consumer and producer, enabling individuals to create and publish content themselves through applications such as wikis, blogs, social tagging and networking, RSS feeds and pod/vod-casting.’[5] Avatars are generally a digital or virtual representation of an individual that are created or customised. Avatars may be used to play online games or on social networking sites. Media sharing websites are used to upload, view and share video clips and photos. Blogs are websites that act as online journals that are regularly updated by the blog owner. Blogs may be created around certain issues or act as personal diaries.[6] MSN Messenger is an instant messaging (IM) program that allows access to other MSN users.[7] Peer to Peer (P2P) is a type of downloading software (e.g. Limewire, BitTorrent) that enables users to share and download files, such as music, videos and software. Generally this software requires users agree to a terms of use and acknowledge and abide by copyright infringement laws.[8] Children and Young people and ICTLink to information- the ICT Digital Literacy Portal
[1] Johanna Wyn and Hernán Cuervo, with Dan Woodman and Helen Stokes (2005) Young people, wellbeing and communication technologies, Youth Research Centre, The University of Melbourne http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/~/media/ProgramsandProjects/MentalHealthandWellBeing/Publications/Attachments/Young_People_and_Technology_Report.ashx, Mental Health and Wellbeing Unit Victorian Health Promotion Foundation [2] Michelle Blanchard1 BA (Hons) Atari Metcalf1 and Dr Jane Burns PhD1,2 (2007) Bridging the Digital Divide: Creating opportunities for marginalised young people to get connected, The Inspire Foundation, http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/~/media/ProgramsandProjects/MentalHealthandWellBeing/Publications/Attachments/BridgingDigitalDivideReport2007.ashx [4] What is RSS? RSS Feeds explained http://www.whatisrss.com/ [5] Boulos & Wheelert (2007) cited in Blanchard, Metcalf, Burns (2007) [6] Blanchard, Metcalf, Burns (2007) [7] NineMSN Messenger, http://webmessenger.msn.com/ |
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Tuesday, 28 July, 2009
