Web 2.0 : Forward Motion

Image : QUT

Dr. Marcus Foth has contacted me this morning with an article published via the QUT news archive of PHd candidate Tanya Notley’s investigations into the impact of the digital divide and it’s relationship to social inclusion in Queensland.

This follows on from discussions I’ve been having with a number of others Australia wide ( and indeed in an international reference ) as to the importance of access for students to networked learning technologies and the resultant stullification of skills and knowledge as a result of blocking such opportunities ( platforms less specific) in education organisations.

I’m interested in finding the functional balance, exploring a balanced view between those that govern and indeed mandate exclusion from an IT support perspective, informing policy and empowering the organisational referent group which informs or enforces such policy….influencing as Robyn Jay coins.

I’m currently sitting ( typing this ) within one of the largest education organisations in Australia within which all social networking sites such a Bebo, MySpace, Friendster, Facebook and many many other sites are governed by such policy. Like Tanya Notley, I also support the idea that ” denying many students without home internet access use of these sites to learn and participate in an increasingly networked society ” is of disadvantage from a inclusion, ethical and social equality perspective.

It’s plainly eveident that even as an adult it frustrated the hell out of me last year trying to run a national program with registered training organisations from all walks of life from within and without.

The QUT article also contains statements from Tanya that I find compelling and reasonable;

“Firstly, I found that participating in online networks provided the research participants with a way to develop and sustain their personal social networks.

“This is important because research tells us that a strong, supportive and extensive social network improves people’s life opportunities……..Online networks provided these students with ways to participate in society that were social, cultural, civic, economic and educative. “

Far from supporting all social networking sites as the pancea for social ill-will, I’m interested in the nexus between where social media intersects with education organisation pedagogy and the resultant collusion to exclusion cycle that occurs as a result of trying to “control” such seemingly non-linear human communication.

I’m also cognisant that many activists ( some may consider me to be one of them ) seek to exclude the organisational safety, security and intellectual property protection discussion in favour of the anarchist rules modality however, as Kim Flintoff and I explored in SL it’s more about informing the digital education revolution than finding ways to undermine it’s very existence…..to find ways to see inclusion and for OER ( open education reform ) to blend it’s way with organisational pride.

Likewise Bill Wade and I also continue to seek ways forward that inform and include the use of social networking and open source technologies and perhaps even to inform where education and collaboration fit into the picture.

Tanya again points to a way forward that is less about fear mongering and more about finding a way in than a way out;

“Policies would be far more effective if they were focused on teaching young people about the risks and benefits of different online networks rather than on just banning and ignoring them.”

My interest is in the behaviours and socio-political constructs that have contributed to “banning and ignoring” in Australia less from a historical perspective and more from examining how these socio-global participatory platforms have positively put pressure on Australia’s agenda to conform, reform or indeed reject such ways of working in the 21st century.

I’m also interested in pursuing this topic and important aspect of education in a research capacity employing the very technologies I seek to speak of and where needed running the hurdle race to assist others in the process. I find it amazing that many of the research articles I read from an academic perspective contain links to individuals who dont use the technologies and yet speak so candidly of them….perhaps that’s a good thing

This blog serves as one node of the systemic reflective crossroad. I’m exploring the active side of the equation I hope and less rant will help my case markedly.

It’s not firewalls we are facing…..just humans frightened to broaden their own frame of reference.