In relation to Concept 28 - The paradox of the World Wide Web, it is easy to assume that, especially for the casual internet user, using the internet is a relatively simple exercise. It's only when a person digs deeper, normally out of necessity, that they find their assumption is just that, as underneath the surface, the internet is a complex entity in its own right.
From my own personal experience, prior to undertaking the NET11 unit, I was more of a casual internet user. I found that in some intances, I would often lack the appropriate knowledge to complete an online task, and discovered that what often seemed to be a simple exercise at first could often evolve into a more complex, time consuming investigation of how to reach my objective. It often required me to have a greater knowledge of the appropriate methods needed to obtain the desired result.
To harvest the full potential of the internet and all it can offer, one needs to at first understand it's nature, the underlying intricacies that ly beneath it's surface. As an example, the Apis Design graph below illustrates 'the iceberg analogy':
From my own personal experience, prior to undertaking the NET11 unit, I was more of a casual internet user. I found that in some intances, I would often lack the appropriate knowledge to complete an online task, and discovered that what often seemed to be a simple exercise at first could often evolve into a more complex, time consuming investigation of how to reach my objective. It often required me to have a greater knowledge of the appropriate methods needed to obtain the desired result.
To harvest the full potential of the internet and all it can offer, one needs to at first understand it's nature, the underlying intricacies that ly beneath it's surface. As an example, the Apis Design graph below illustrates 'the iceberg analogy':
Apis Design, "Websites That Work."
Another example is if one assesses the case of the 'digital divide':
"the perceived growing gap between those who have access to and the skills to use Internet Computer Technology and those who, for socio-economic and/or geographical reasons, have limited or no access."
A common misconception seems to be that this 'divide' can be reduced by increasing access to computers in communities. However, that is just the first step. It also needs to be followed up with the teaching of the appropriate skills and knowledge that are indispensable to utilizing all that the internet has to offer. The HomeNetToo Project run by Michigan State University makes a case in point:
"....considering motivational, affective, and cognitive factors as antecedents and consequences of Internet use. These factors help to explain the digital divide and suggest ways to reduce it. These factors also help to explain the Internet paradox, and suggest that personal characteristics and contextual factors moderate relationships between Internet use and personal and interpersonal outcomes. Recent evidence suggests, however, that access may be a necessary but not sufficient condition for using technology, particularly the Internet. Motivational, affective and cognitive factors that influence technology use must also be considered."
Where possible, a better understanding of the workings of the internet and web can be gained by looking at it from the perspective of those who contribute to it, those who publish, build and create the parts that make up the total 'whole' of the internet as we perceive it. I found that throughout my studies in both the NET11 and NED11 units, my knowledge and understanding of the internet and web as a whole has vastly improved, mainly due to my growing awareness and comprehension of what goes on 'behind the scenes' so to speak. Resources such as Val Casey's site on Visual Interaction are a good example of some of the considerations that should be taken into account when contributing online. Not only knowing how to use the internet, but also how to make what we create online, accessible and understandable for as many as possible.
Web Resources:
Jackson, Linda A. "HomeNetToo Project." September 1, 2000.http://www.msu.edu/user/jackso67/homenettoo/main.html (accessed April 02, 2007).
New Zealand Government, "The Digital Strategy: Creating Our Digital Future." May 16, 2005.http://www.digitalstrategy.govt.nz/default____4.aspx (accessed April 2, 2007).
Casey, Val. "Notes on Visual and Interaction Design." 1998-2004.http://www.valcasey.com/webdesign/ (accessed April 2, 2007).
"Internet Communications Concepts Document." http://webct.curtin.edu.au/SCRIPT/305033_a/scripts/serve_home (accessed April 02, 2007).
"the perceived growing gap between those who have access to and the skills to use Internet Computer Technology and those who, for socio-economic and/or geographical reasons, have limited or no access."
A common misconception seems to be that this 'divide' can be reduced by increasing access to computers in communities. However, that is just the first step. It also needs to be followed up with the teaching of the appropriate skills and knowledge that are indispensable to utilizing all that the internet has to offer. The HomeNetToo Project run by Michigan State University makes a case in point:
"....considering motivational, affective, and cognitive factors as antecedents and consequences of Internet use. These factors help to explain the digital divide and suggest ways to reduce it. These factors also help to explain the Internet paradox, and suggest that personal characteristics and contextual factors moderate relationships between Internet use and personal and interpersonal outcomes. Recent evidence suggests, however, that access may be a necessary but not sufficient condition for using technology, particularly the Internet. Motivational, affective and cognitive factors that influence technology use must also be considered."
Where possible, a better understanding of the workings of the internet and web can be gained by looking at it from the perspective of those who contribute to it, those who publish, build and create the parts that make up the total 'whole' of the internet as we perceive it. I found that throughout my studies in both the NET11 and NED11 units, my knowledge and understanding of the internet and web as a whole has vastly improved, mainly due to my growing awareness and comprehension of what goes on 'behind the scenes' so to speak. Resources such as Val Casey's site on Visual Interaction are a good example of some of the considerations that should be taken into account when contributing online. Not only knowing how to use the internet, but also how to make what we create online, accessible and understandable for as many as possible.
Web Resources:
Jackson, Linda A. "HomeNetToo Project." September 1, 2000.http://www.msu.edu/user/jackso67/homenettoo/main.html (accessed April 02, 2007).
New Zealand Government, "The Digital Strategy: Creating Our Digital Future." May 16, 2005.http://www.digitalstrategy.govt.nz/default____4.aspx (accessed April 2, 2007).
Casey, Val. "Notes on Visual and Interaction Design." 1998-2004.http://www.valcasey.com/webdesign/ (accessed April 2, 2007).
"Internet Communications Concepts Document." http://webct.curtin.edu.au/SCRIPT/305033_a/scripts/serve_home (accessed April 02, 2007).
Apis Design, "Websites That Work." 2000.http://www.apis.ca/Understanding_Websites/Good_Sites_Bad_Sites/What_makes_a_good_website.htm (accessed April 2, 2003).
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