Digital Divide

Digital Divide

 

Whatever term you use, a number of studies have shown that there is a clear divide between socio-economic classes when we are talking about access to technology.

84% of males are online in the UK, with 80% of females are online. Age has an affect on about of people accessing as the internet, this table shows this...

 

 

http://publications.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/digital/research/

 

The amount of people studying ICT has dropped rapidly over the last few years from 261,970 to 70,418 in the last 7 years.

 

http://www.ukces.org.uk/news/Articles/2012/Aug/fall-in-ict-gcse

http://maban.co.uk/47

 
'7.1 million people have never used the Internet – that’s 14% of the population' and 'you’re just as likely to have used the Internet if you earn £300 per week, as if you earn £499.'

http://www.solar.co.uk/internet-use-uk/

 

 

Ambulance Case Study

Ambulance Case Study

Within the ambulance service there are more than just hands on paramedics which turn up to the scene of an emergency. There are also just as important operators at a local headquarter. They receive the calls and allocate the call to a paramedic, ambulance or appropriate service.

The operators at the headquarters use GPS or some form of tracking system on the available medical support teams, by looking at the location of service and emergency they send the nearest team to help out. By having the computer software to aid them, this allows them to organise and sort out the best solution. 

Due to some locations seeming to occur the most need and support, they are telling ambulances to wait nearby instead of reporting back to their stations, so they can try and react quicker. But an accident or emergency could occur any time or place so by doing that doesn't seem very fair or accurate. But the benefits of the IT systems is can see and work out the best solutions and has led to an increase in response times which is a great target to achieve. 

Legal Rights

Legal Rights

Freedom of Information Act 2005

‘The Freedom of Information Act ('the Act') was passed on 30 November 2000 and came into force in January 2005. It gives the public a right of access to all types of recorded information held by public authorities, but also sets out exemptions from that right. The term 'public authority' is defined in the Act and includes all public bodies and Government departments in the UK.’

This act allows individuals to gain and access information about companies and organisations, this was implemented as they wanted to show they was open to share their details and not covering anything up. But there are some limitations to what can and can’t be accessed without permission. Similarly it made it possible to find out what information is personally being kept about you, yet again are some circumstances and exceptions when this isn't possible.

On a government level, the advantages are that as a nation and public we can see and access what actions are being enforced by our government and can get an honest idea of the running of our own country. But it does have its disadvantages too, if certain information got into the wrong hands it could cause hassle and damage to relationships and reputation.

http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/freedomInformation/freedomInfo.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/foi/about/foi_explained.shtml

http://ihrprojects.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/freedom-of-information-benefits-and-limitations-of-the-act/

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110411043216AAFAW0q

Computer Misuse Act 1990

‘This was passed by Parliament and made three new offences:

1. Accessing computer material without permission, eg looking at someone else's files.

2. Accessing computer material without permission with intent to commit further criminal offences, eg hacking into the bank's computer and wanting to increase the amount in your account.

3. Altering computer data without permission, eg writing a virus to destroy someone else's data, or actually changing the money in an account.'

This act was implemented to try and prevent people accessing files and information without permission or licence to do so. It tried to allow more privacy and protection to your own work and documents. 

An advantage of this was it prevented more people from due to the potential consequences they could face if they did offend, but the only problem with it was that the penalties and consequences weren’t enforced properly.  

http://uk.ask.com/question/advantages-of-computer-misuse-act

http://www.teach-ict.com/as_a2_ict_new/ocr/AS_G061/317_role_impact_ict/computer_misuse_act/miniweb/index.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ict/legal/1dataandcomputermisuserev2.shtml

Accountant Job Research

 Accountancy Job Evolution

Job Description: 'Chartered accountants provide trustworthy information about financial records. This might involve financial reporting, taxation, auditing, forensic accounting, corporate finance, business recovery and insolvency, or accounting systems and processes'

http://www.prospects.ac.uk/chartered_accountant_job_description.htm

This job is now operated mainly by using software such as Microsoft Excel to input data and calculate it, in the past would have used paper, pen and calculator to work this information. This has adapted how the job has changed over time to become what it has now.

Going back roughly 20 years ago people would have sat there with boxed paper and wrote out in columns the data then used a calculator to add it up and get a total. Now with certain formulas can automatically do this on a computer so saves time and potential mistakes too. This has changed the job as means the job is quicker, so allows to complete more jobs or tasks during a day.

The job description back then would have still been the same just the way the job is completed and operated would have been different to modern day accountancy jobs. By having the job like this now it is more flexible as the job can be completed on the go easier and can be taken home easier as all available to access at home. The jobs employment hasn’t changed due to this as accountants are always going to be wanted and needed from either the government or a business.

How Technology had changed jobs

Majority of jobs have now changed due to IT and technology which means people have to keep up to date with technology and way jobs are operated now. An example of this is teacher, in the past would have relied on textbooks whereas now they have internet, YouTube videos and revision websites which can help and support the teachers and students alike.

Work/Social Life

Due to technology such as; laptops, tablets and phones being able to access work and documents from anywhere this means our work/social life has changed. By being able to access your work at home might mean that you spend less time socialising or time with family. But it also allows some jobs to work from home, so can work what hours suit your lifestyle as long as it is completed by a deadline. So modern technology has changed the way in which we live and work. 

 

Team Presentation

E-mail and Cloud Presentation

In class we were put into groups to create a presentation on different topics, ours was 'e-mail and cloud'. As a group we got in contact with each other through gmail/google hangout, found these links and accounts via our blogs. We contributed by making some slides each then coming together to produce one presentation on PowerPoint as a group. We gathered the information through online research.

My Online Uses

How I Used The Internet

Today I used SMS and Instant Messaging to talk to friends to arrange meeting up n a group chat in WhatsApp, as was easier in a group so could all talk in one place. Also used Instant Messaging to talk to friends just for a general catch up. Whilst completing homework I had music playing through YouTube.