AEC 1131HS
The Internet, Adult Education and Community Development
Online Social Movements and Online Nonprofits
After reading the articles related to online social movements in addition to listenting to Nilofar and Mary’s presentation on online social movements, I am amazed by the role that the internet plays with activism and the political impact it has on society. For example, something so simple as a smart mob can bring numerous people together in a powerful way that can impact the turnover of the president of the Phillipines.
I found this interesting youtube video on social movements:
As described in Khan and Kellner’s article on new media and internet activism, online activists have found a new space to build social relations. As a result, I see this new space as a breeding ground for expressing political views. I believe that technology really plays a role in facilitating the opportunity for more people to participate in a social movement more than ever before.
In Agre’s article on the Internet and the Political Process,he mentions that the internet can assist in helping organizations expand their membership, respond quickly, cooperate with other organizations and thus eventually strengthen the power to participate in the political process. This got me thinking about the medical relief organization, Doctors without Borders.
If you look at the Doctors without Borders website,you can look at what they have achieved, what they are currently doing and what their future projects entail. You can quickly find out how you can donate or how you can volunteer or work for them. There are blogs, bulletin boards and podcasts. A simple view of a podcast will reveal a real life case of a burn victim in Gaza and the assistance of Doctors without Borders. With a simple click of a button, you have access to all the worldwide work that this humanitarian organization has done. This makes me realize how powerful the internet is in exposing what is going on in the world and what contributions are being made. In this instance the internet serves as a tool to enable the public to contribute or become apart of such an organization.
While on the topic of Doctors without Borders, I can also link it to our next part of the courese on non-profit organiations. An example of how technology is used to assist Doctors without Borders in fighting world malnutrition is illustrated below.
Child poverty which is normally not present in everyday media, became so present and made public to the people of Stokholm. By having child size coffins spread all over the city, people were exposed to the topic of child malnutrition. People marched all over the city with the coffins. On each coffin,a message was posted to "text a coffin away". The message spread to people all over the city and outside Sweden. The message was spread via facebook discussion groups, blogs and then eventually involved the media. Each time a donation was made,a coffin was removed and the impact of people's actions were made visible. The success of this campaign occured within two hours. This is a phenomenal example of the use of technology in assisting a non profit organization in making a difference to the world and involving the city of Stokholm as well as other countries outside of Sweden.
As found in Jensen, Danziger and Venkatesh’s articles, it is interesting to note that they note that participants of online democratic engagement are not characterized by those with a a higher socioeconomic status as found in offline democratic engagement. I think it’s fascinating that a number of people in Sweden were able to assist with an offline community activity through the use of the internet. A goal to target child poverty was achieved so quickly and successfully.
As stated by Brainard and Brinkerhoff in their article on cyber grassroots organizations(CGO), the internet has assisted in raising awareness and advocacy. It can be used as a fundraising tool as well as offer the “potential to foster social capital and civic engagement through the creation of virtual communities".
CGOs are able to capture a large number of participants and can contribute by bonding and bridging social capital. I think it is truly amazing that Doctors without Borders was able to use a combination of internet technology to perform online democratic engagement and offline activity to carry out real life democratic engagement.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Social Informatics, Online Communities and Healthcare
AEC 1131HS
The Internet, Adult Education and Community Development
Social Informatics,Online Communities and Healthcare
When I think of social informatics I am amazed by how one major innovation, the internet and public access to it, has made an impact on society. Kling’s article on Information Technology and Social Change made me think about the impact of sociotechnical networks that enable us to communicate in electronic information spaces such as blogs, discussion groups and electronic conferencing. As a health care professional, I find it fascinating how my clients can be well informed due to the simple click of a button and access information concerning their health condition.
Kling’s table outlining the conceptions of Information and communication technology(ICT) standard (tool) models and sociotechnical models had me leaning more towards the concept of ICT as a sociotechnical network versus a tool. Although I realize that ICT is a tool, when examining health care models there is a human expertise that must be included in the picture.
When exploring health care communities or online health support groups, I can see the involvement of ICT as an ongoing social process where additional skill and work are needed to make ICT work as described by Kling. In health care, I see that ICT is socially shaped. For example when you look at this website on a local breast cancer support organization you can see how two breast cancer survivors came up with this organization and with use of technology were able to create a website. As a result, anyone who is seeking information or support aroung breast cancer can utilize the website to better understand their condition, link to resources and others who can provide psychoshocial support.
www.breastcancersupport.org/Programs_and_Services.php
I agree with Kling’s viewpoint on the ICT standard (tool) model as one that underestimates the costs and complexities of computerization and overestimates the generalizability of applications form one group to another. Without recognizing ICT as a sociotechnical network with ongoing social processes and ensuring social access, ICT does not work from a healthcare perspective.
Kling indicates that the public are now turning to the internet to find answers and information on websites, discussion groups, alternative medical advice and information regarding recovery processes. I can appreciate how someone living in a village in a third world country is challenged with ICT due to a lack of technological access or suitable equipment software. Kling mentions the digital divide and how it has widened as those with less education and income may not have access to electronic resources and the use of ICT compared to those with a higher education level and socioeconomic status.
When considering the impact of adult education on a global level in terms of improving the health and well being of those in third world countries, I do believe that there is a need to incorporate the use of computers and ICT to assist in healthcare education. It wouls be great if healthcare NGOs that work abroad could include ICT as a way to break down the barriers to those who don’t have the technological access. Some of third world countries could utilize mobile phones as a way to deal with the technological barrier. For example, in India not all people have a personal computer but most people do have a mobile phone.
Maloney-Krichmar’s article on the sociability, usability and community dynamics of online health communities highlights that a narrow focus of an online community like that found in Bob’s Kneeboard contributes to a successful online community. Their study revealed that the presence of reciprocity, bridging social capital and bonding social capital within and outside the group, resource information sharing lead to empowerment to better deal with healthcare providers. During my presentation with Janet , it was interesting to hear that our professor had recently heard Dr. Alejandro Jadad speak about the use of online health communities and his support of such forums.
Although my friend who had breast cancer was told by her oncologist to not look at such information or support on the internet, I am inclined to challenge her oncologist's rationale. As our professor pointed out, Dr.Jadad indicated that when information is incorrect on a healthcare website,it will be corrected by some member of the community. This rules out a physcian's concern about patients seeking incorrect information on the internet.
I found this very interesting article published by Dr. Jadad: What Will it Take to Bring the Internet into the Consulting Room?
We Cannot Remain Oblivious to our Patients' Expectations
www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1490187
Wow, what an eye opener for me!
I also found another interesting article on Dr. Jadad:
Summer 2007
Can we innovate fast enough to avoid health care "tsunami"?
2007 Ontario R&E Summit Highlights
Canada faces a looming health care “tsunami” unless it moves quickly to innovate and make greater use of new and innovative technologies.
That was the blunt message Dr. Alejandro (Alex) Jadad, Chief Innovator & Founder of the Centre for Global eHealth Innovation, had for the audience at the annual Ontario Research and Education Summit, June 4 and 5 in Toronto.
In a provocative address, Dr. Jadad asked how the Canadian health care system can keep us healthy, instead of just treating our illnesses. Calling for more resources into health prevention and health promotion, Dr. Jadad stressed the need to create a person-centered approach to health care, and ultimately to use communication and information technology to innovate our failing health care system.
It is interesting how Dr. Jadad describes the Canadian healthcare challenge as a tsunami as the population lives longer and faces more health care issues associated with longevity. As a result,the need for innovative technologies must keep up with the wave. I am left with some questions:
Do you think physicians in Ontario should adopt and encourage the use of the internet when working with their patients?
Do you think our healthcare system in Ontario could use technology to decrease burden with face to face healthcare service delivery?
Well, interestingly enough, I discovered a pilot project with telehomecare nursing in the east York region in Toronto which is leading to better care, patient empowerment over their healthcare and thus decreasing burden to emergency room and doctor's offices.
Unfortunately this video had disabled the embedding option so I couldn't post the video here and I can only provide you with the link.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBM_ytIFzso
The Internet, Adult Education and Community Development
Social Informatics,Online Communities and Healthcare
When I think of social informatics I am amazed by how one major innovation, the internet and public access to it, has made an impact on society. Kling’s article on Information Technology and Social Change made me think about the impact of sociotechnical networks that enable us to communicate in electronic information spaces such as blogs, discussion groups and electronic conferencing. As a health care professional, I find it fascinating how my clients can be well informed due to the simple click of a button and access information concerning their health condition.
Kling’s table outlining the conceptions of Information and communication technology(ICT) standard (tool) models and sociotechnical models had me leaning more towards the concept of ICT as a sociotechnical network versus a tool. Although I realize that ICT is a tool, when examining health care models there is a human expertise that must be included in the picture.
When exploring health care communities or online health support groups, I can see the involvement of ICT as an ongoing social process where additional skill and work are needed to make ICT work as described by Kling. In health care, I see that ICT is socially shaped. For example when you look at this website on a local breast cancer support organization you can see how two breast cancer survivors came up with this organization and with use of technology were able to create a website. As a result, anyone who is seeking information or support aroung breast cancer can utilize the website to better understand their condition, link to resources and others who can provide psychoshocial support.
www.breastcancersupport.org/Programs_and_Services.php
I agree with Kling’s viewpoint on the ICT standard (tool) model as one that underestimates the costs and complexities of computerization and overestimates the generalizability of applications form one group to another. Without recognizing ICT as a sociotechnical network with ongoing social processes and ensuring social access, ICT does not work from a healthcare perspective.
Kling indicates that the public are now turning to the internet to find answers and information on websites, discussion groups, alternative medical advice and information regarding recovery processes. I can appreciate how someone living in a village in a third world country is challenged with ICT due to a lack of technological access or suitable equipment software. Kling mentions the digital divide and how it has widened as those with less education and income may not have access to electronic resources and the use of ICT compared to those with a higher education level and socioeconomic status.
When considering the impact of adult education on a global level in terms of improving the health and well being of those in third world countries, I do believe that there is a need to incorporate the use of computers and ICT to assist in healthcare education. It wouls be great if healthcare NGOs that work abroad could include ICT as a way to break down the barriers to those who don’t have the technological access. Some of third world countries could utilize mobile phones as a way to deal with the technological barrier. For example, in India not all people have a personal computer but most people do have a mobile phone.
Maloney-Krichmar’s article on the sociability, usability and community dynamics of online health communities highlights that a narrow focus of an online community like that found in Bob’s Kneeboard contributes to a successful online community. Their study revealed that the presence of reciprocity, bridging social capital and bonding social capital within and outside the group, resource information sharing lead to empowerment to better deal with healthcare providers. During my presentation with Janet , it was interesting to hear that our professor had recently heard Dr. Alejandro Jadad speak about the use of online health communities and his support of such forums.
Although my friend who had breast cancer was told by her oncologist to not look at such information or support on the internet, I am inclined to challenge her oncologist's rationale. As our professor pointed out, Dr.Jadad indicated that when information is incorrect on a healthcare website,it will be corrected by some member of the community. This rules out a physcian's concern about patients seeking incorrect information on the internet.
I found this very interesting article published by Dr. Jadad: What Will it Take to Bring the Internet into the Consulting Room?
We Cannot Remain Oblivious to our Patients' Expectations
www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1490187
Wow, what an eye opener for me!
I also found another interesting article on Dr. Jadad:
Summer 2007
Can we innovate fast enough to avoid health care "tsunami"?
2007 Ontario R&E Summit Highlights
Canada faces a looming health care “tsunami” unless it moves quickly to innovate and make greater use of new and innovative technologies.
That was the blunt message Dr. Alejandro (Alex) Jadad, Chief Innovator & Founder of the Centre for Global eHealth Innovation, had for the audience at the annual Ontario Research and Education Summit, June 4 and 5 in Toronto.
In a provocative address, Dr. Jadad asked how the Canadian health care system can keep us healthy, instead of just treating our illnesses. Calling for more resources into health prevention and health promotion, Dr. Jadad stressed the need to create a person-centered approach to health care, and ultimately to use communication and information technology to innovate our failing health care system.
It is interesting how Dr. Jadad describes the Canadian healthcare challenge as a tsunami as the population lives longer and faces more health care issues associated with longevity. As a result,the need for innovative technologies must keep up with the wave. I am left with some questions:
Do you think physicians in Ontario should adopt and encourage the use of the internet when working with their patients?
Do you think our healthcare system in Ontario could use technology to decrease burden with face to face healthcare service delivery?
Well, interestingly enough, I discovered a pilot project with telehomecare nursing in the east York region in Toronto which is leading to better care, patient empowerment over their healthcare and thus decreasing burden to emergency room and doctor's offices.
Unfortunately this video had disabled the embedding option so I couldn't post the video here and I can only provide you with the link.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBM_ytIFzso
Sunday, January 25, 2009
How informal and nonformal learning with the use of technology has affected learning in my workplace as an Occupational Therapist
This is my first blog ever! This blog was done as a requirement for my current course at OISE:
AEC 1131HS
The Internet, Adult Education and Community Development
Informal Learning and the Internet
Schugurensky’s article on informal learning made me aware of the impact of informal learning that has taken place in my work environment. In addition, his article highlighted the non-formal learning which I have also engaged in,during my work experience.
After reading his article, along with the other articles on informal learning, and participating in Cindy and Valentina’s presentation on the topic, I was reminded of how non-formal learning as well as informal learning has changed so dramatically in my workplace due to the impact of technology, most importantly the Internet!
I am an Occupational Therapist(OT) http://www.wfot.org/information.asp and have been working at COTA Health(community OT agency) for the past nine years. I have been working there on a casual basis for the past 4 years.
Recently (2 weeks ago), I just started working in my new position as an OT with seriously injured workers at a large organization. The past few weeks, I have been engaged in an orientation process that involves many courses offered on the company's intranet. Believe it or not, this is new to me. Even when I started my last full-time position at another community agency four years ago, all my non-formal learning was done in a classroom all day and every day for about a month.
In case you are bored and maybe need a break from reading,this video may provide you with some more insight into the role of an occupational therapist:
Would you describe the above video as a type of informal incidental learning (unintentional but concious)?
When I started at COTA nine years ago, we didn’t have a company intranet. Most of my non-formal learning took place in a classroom with other new therapists. The intranet at COTA did not even come into effect until about 5 years ago.
Most of my non-formal learning at the present time in my new job has taken place in the form of required courses on the intranet accessed from my desktop computer. Everything from how to access information regarding benefits and payroll to our mission and vision is taught in the form of demonstrations offered with these online courses. As describe by Schugurensky, my learning over the past two weeks on the intranet at my new workplace has been self directed involving full awareness and intention.
I have also had the opportunity to meet with my new colleagues who have shared valuable information with me in an informal setting(at lunch or on my breaks). This has not been intentional but there is an awareness that I am learning information from more experienced OTs in my workplace on how the job is done and what to expect.
What is interesting to me is comparing the generational gaps and how they learn as I encounter many new OT graduates in my new work environment. For example, I have my 13years of clinical experience where I have exercised professional judgement and knowledge( obtained through experience and courses taken) that I can rely on to apply with my new client population. When I see my the new graduates engaged in their new learning in this workplace, they immediately look up the latest treatments or interventions with quick access to google.
This observation made me realize that in my profession where evidence based practice is so important, that I should also be accessing the Internet to look up the latest research in the area. I would normally access the Internet to look up a non work related topic however,at work, I have been relying on my experience. As a result of witnessing this in my new workplace, I have started looking up topics on the latest interventions on the Internet to assist me in ensuring my knowledge is being updated and is current with what is happening in the literature. I realize I don't have any excuse now to keep up with what's happening in my profession with respect to current practice in my new OT role!
I have provided another video for you to view on the role of an OT(some more informal learning):
AEC 1131HS
The Internet, Adult Education and Community Development
Informal Learning and the Internet
Schugurensky’s article on informal learning made me aware of the impact of informal learning that has taken place in my work environment. In addition, his article highlighted the non-formal learning which I have also engaged in,during my work experience.
After reading his article, along with the other articles on informal learning, and participating in Cindy and Valentina’s presentation on the topic, I was reminded of how non-formal learning as well as informal learning has changed so dramatically in my workplace due to the impact of technology, most importantly the Internet!
I am an Occupational Therapist(OT) http://www.wfot.org/information.asp and have been working at COTA Health(community OT agency) for the past nine years. I have been working there on a casual basis for the past 4 years.
Recently (2 weeks ago), I just started working in my new position as an OT with seriously injured workers at a large organization. The past few weeks, I have been engaged in an orientation process that involves many courses offered on the company's intranet. Believe it or not, this is new to me. Even when I started my last full-time position at another community agency four years ago, all my non-formal learning was done in a classroom all day and every day for about a month.
In case you are bored and maybe need a break from reading,this video may provide you with some more insight into the role of an occupational therapist:
Would you describe the above video as a type of informal incidental learning (unintentional but concious)?
When I started at COTA nine years ago, we didn’t have a company intranet. Most of my non-formal learning took place in a classroom with other new therapists. The intranet at COTA did not even come into effect until about 5 years ago.
Most of my non-formal learning at the present time in my new job has taken place in the form of required courses on the intranet accessed from my desktop computer. Everything from how to access information regarding benefits and payroll to our mission and vision is taught in the form of demonstrations offered with these online courses. As describe by Schugurensky, my learning over the past two weeks on the intranet at my new workplace has been self directed involving full awareness and intention.
I have also had the opportunity to meet with my new colleagues who have shared valuable information with me in an informal setting(at lunch or on my breaks). This has not been intentional but there is an awareness that I am learning information from more experienced OTs in my workplace on how the job is done and what to expect.
What is interesting to me is comparing the generational gaps and how they learn as I encounter many new OT graduates in my new work environment. For example, I have my 13years of clinical experience where I have exercised professional judgement and knowledge( obtained through experience and courses taken) that I can rely on to apply with my new client population. When I see my the new graduates engaged in their new learning in this workplace, they immediately look up the latest treatments or interventions with quick access to google.
This observation made me realize that in my profession where evidence based practice is so important, that I should also be accessing the Internet to look up the latest research in the area. I would normally access the Internet to look up a non work related topic however,at work, I have been relying on my experience. As a result of witnessing this in my new workplace, I have started looking up topics on the latest interventions on the Internet to assist me in ensuring my knowledge is being updated and is current with what is happening in the literature. I realize I don't have any excuse now to keep up with what's happening in my profession with respect to current practice in my new OT role!
I have provided another video for you to view on the role of an OT(some more informal learning):
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