Module #3 – Post #4

In an attempt to further define my final assignment, which is so difficult… I have tried to research journals and articles that focus on aboriginal or cultural identity as it is affected or impacted by the introduction of Information Technology. Both Post #4 and #5 address this topic.

Selouani, Sid-Ahmed. & Hmam, Habib. 2007. Social Impact of Broadband Internet: A Case Study in the Shippagan Area, a Rural Zone in Atlantic Canada. Journal of Information, Information Technology and Organizations. Vol. 2 Accessed via:

http://www.informingscience.org/jiito/articles/JIITOv2p079-094Selouani74.pdf

This article seeks to provide evidence of social transformation caused by broadband connectivity within a rural area of Atlantic Canada. What I found so interesting about the outcomes of this article were that there were several examples of new uses and activities that broadband induced, however there was little to no change in attitudes, behavior and relationships.

Positive changes that occurred include increased access to information (newspapers etc), opportunities to shop and make payments online, e-learning, downloads, use of email/webcam to name a few.

Concerns with increased access and incorporation of broadband into everyday life included confidentiality, amount of time spent using technology, and negative materials available to young people to name a few.

On a whole, residents from the rural community concluded that increased access to broadband did not negatively influence the social relations of people in these rural areas.

Module #3 – Post #5

Mignone, Javier. & Henley, Heather. 2009. Impact of Information and Communication Technology on Social Capital in Aboriginal Communities in Canada. Journal of Information, Information Technology, and Communication. Vol. 4 Accessed via:

http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/human_ecology/departments/fss/media/5.pdf

This article looks at Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as it impacts the social capital of First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities. There is a great focus on defining and exploring what exactly social capital is and why it is relevant.

“Social capital characterizes a community based on the degree that its resources are socially invested, that it presents an ethos of trust, norms of reciprocity, collective action, and participation, and that it possesses inclusive, flexible and diverse networks.”  (Mignone & Henley. 2009. pp. 129).

There has been research that suggests that ICT decreases social capital by shifting people’s focus from relationships and community engagement to tech-based entertainment. While other research highlights the increase in social capital that is fostered by ICT in improving communication and social networks between people, specifically those who are separated by great distance.

This article incorporates case studies from different communities across Canada that have Aboriginal owned ICT networks and how they have managed to implement and sustain them, which in itself is interesting.

I wanted to include this article, because I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to consider social capital in terms of the role of ICT in Aboriginal communities, however also wanted you to consider impacts and issues that fall outside of social capital; the concept of social capital seems too simple and does not encompass all interactions, connects and the embeddedness that technology influences.