NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGY

NEW MEDIA TECHNOLOGY

1. Theoretical Frameworks - Technological Benefits

   • The Utopian/TECHNOPHILIC APPROACH
     • Technophiles, or sometimes referred to as Pro-technology enthusiasts, argues that ICT offers many opportunities for small-scale, independent and decentralised forms of production. Technophiles Envisage that Technology will Help Developing Countries to LEAPFROG several Developing Stages.
     • The Technophilic View Supports the deployment of ITC in communities and associates it with POSITIVE Developments.
     • It is said by Technophiles, that ICT has the potential to improve living standards in outlying and rural areas by making positive commercial, social, and EDUcational Contributions.
   • The TECHNOPHOBIC APPROACH
     • The Technophobic approach is pessimistic about the promises of Information Technology, and that the Spread of Information, Computerisation, and other Modern Communication Technology wIll Create Unemployment, Increase Surveillance and Endanger Individual Privacy.
     • Technophobics argues that the spread of Media will result in the homogenisation of Culture, Endanger indigenous cultural diversities, and that ICT reinforces historical trends towards Socioeconomic Disparity, Inequality in Political Power, and a divide between Knowledge Elites and the Knowledge of the Disenfranchised.
     • This Dystopian Perspective is supported by questions of the financial (affordability), social (Sustainability of community member commitment), and political sustainability (Policy Making And Regularity) of ICT Projects.
   • The TECHNO-NEUTRAL Approach
     • Governments and Large Corporate Consultants without any theoretical pretensions are usually techno-neutralists. They consider the interests at stake and don't want to alienate their clients.
     • They usually Assume a NEUTRAL POSITION on INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY and provide a dichotomous analysis without much reference to the social and historical contexts of technological impact.
   • The INTERmediary Perspective
     • States that while access to ICTs might not directly lead to development, but they may be necessary to be apart of Global economy Activity. Reflects the Capability model (rather than Wealth) in Development. Helps to Leapfrog. Similar to Techno-neutral Approach.

2. Streaming ConTent

   • Streaming Content is related to Podcasting in the sense that it allows users to receive audio and video material directly from the Internet to their Computers or other Internet access device. Eg. Mobile Phone.
   • Streaming Content is not intended for users to permanently store the material on their devices, but to view it in real time as it gets delivered.
   • The user has to be online. Streaming content typically requires quite good Internet Access. In Developed Countries, Streaming Services act as a full substitute for conventional radio and television.
   • Streaming as an ADJUNCT
     • BBC (Public Broadcaster - not required to make a profit) invested in a Software delivery platform for the streaming video and audio content, called the iPlayer - compatible on devices like computer, mobile phones etc.
   • User-Generated Streaming Content
     • The Spread of high-quality Internet Services has made it feasible for individuals to stream content from their homes or offices, where videos are uploaded to a server. Eg. YouTube making it a popular means of expression for amateurs.
   • DISADVANTAGES of Streaming CONTENT
     • Streaming content requires good Internet, and problematic in South Africa since MOST HOME USERS have very LIMITED BANDWIDTH, and LOW MONTHLY DATA usage caps.
     • DIGITAL DIVIDE
       • The Digital Divide is an ECONOMIC and SOCIAL INEQUALITY according to people who have ACCESS to INFORMATION and COMMUNICATION Technologies (ICT)

3. PODCASTS

   • DEFINITION
     • A Podcast is a DOWNLOADABLE AUDIO FILE (typically in mp3 format), Which is Intended to be heard at the Listener's Convenience, and on a DEVICE of the listener's choice. Typically Published on a Regular basis. PODCASTING is the ACTIVITY of of creating podcasts and making them available for download over the Internet.
   • ADVANTAGES
     • Used by Traditional Broadcasters like BBC and SABC where its become a new distribution channel. Excellent tool for small groups like SCHOOL or UNI Classes. CONTRIBUTES to Social Globalisation by giving people all over the world access to NEWS, CURRENT AFFAIRS, and ENTERTAINMENT.
   • DISADVANTAGES
     • Podcasting UNDERMINES copyright restrictions as the user is required to make a copy of the audio. The CREATION of a podcast also requires some Technical skill.
   • Ways
     • Individual
     • Broadcasters
     • Small groups (school or university classes)

4. TELEWORKING

   • Teleworking involves doing work at home or at a location away from the usual office that has an IT component and using telecommunications technology to communicate with colleagues at the office.
     • Save Money
     • Save Time
     • Avoid Disturbances
     • Family Considerations
     • Flexibility and Freedom
     • Requires Self Discipline
     • Clash between Deadlines and Children

5. CHALLENGES FACING WOMEN AND ICT

   • Lack of role models for women in the ICT sector, and the masculine culture of the ICT sector where there is still a gender bias in this sector.
   • Salary inequality – men are better paid than women.
   • The lack of ability to choose ICT as a career, as does the work-family conflict (demanding time) - difficult to fit in working hours with family time.
   • Cultural issues,, where there Is discrimination women tend to shun such sectors.
   • Tokenism – many women experience more pressure to perform because of the mere fact that they are women.
   • Perception and stereotypes also play a role in ICT, for example the perception that ICT is a career for men.

6. CONVERGENCE

   • Convergence is the coming together of different medium into one, consumers can access content that had been previously been available only through strictly separated channels in more unifies flexible ways

7. ICT

   • ICT is aimed to harness knowledge for development by providing an enabling environment for the production of ideas and innovation through the use of technology. They are important because in the context of a global knowledge economy fuelled by the fast pace if technological innovation, it is important for developing countries to lay good foundations for building their capacity to acquire and create knowledge and technology in order to take advantage of the opportunities offered by globalisation and, at the same time, to address emerging global challenges.