Advancements and developments in technology since Web 2.0 first emerged have had an immense impact and influence on society overall. The most obvious influence has been the influence of technology on the level of connectedness now achieveable by people across the world, who now exist in a globally, technologically connected world. This impacts individuals in society on both a personal, familial level, as well as a business level (Wall Street Journal, 2022). For example, prior to the popularisation of social Web 2.0 technologies such as Facebook and Instagram, I had never communicated with my extended family in Holland. Now, with the development of Web 2.0 technologies, I have strong relationships with my Dutch family and speak to them regularly, despite the differences in culture, language and time.
This increased connectedness has implications for businesses as well, particularly for those in rural communities. Individuals regulated to “shopping local” prior to Web 2.0 developements now have access to services and goods on a global scale. This also has positive implications for small businesses in rural communities, who now have the potential to reach national and international customers, expanding their consumer base and providing more opportunities for business growth and profit. This impact is seen and felt in organisations as well. For example, the education sector has been greatly influenced by such technology, with social media providing a new avenue for connection and communication with parents and the community. Gone are the days where the only contact parents had with schools was through formal newsletters, parent-teacher interviews, and notes sent home. Now, parents can access school websites and social media pages for photos of special occasions and events, digital newsletters, reminders of upcoming deadlines and events, and can send in questions that may be quickly answered by admin staff. Schools can additionally diversify and improve their teaching and learning programs by implementing technology-based learning experiences, or alternatively offering distance education options, which benefits students in locally isolated communities.
However, with these advancements come new considerations organisations such as educational institutions have not had to consider in the past, including but not limited to the following:
- Privacy – the publishing of names and photographs of students and teachers can have implications for privacy concerns, particuarly for individuals whose photos are not to be posted online for safety and privacy concerns.
- The blurring of professional and personal boundaries, as increased access to schools through Facebook may and can result in more frequent communication and expectations for instantaneous responses outside of schooling hours.
- The digital divide, which has been widening further since the pandemic when hybrid and online learning increased exponentially. Education systems need to consider and account for this digital divide, which with improvements in technology “will only widen between those with every digital advantage and those who struggle to gain access to even the basic devices and network necessitites.” (EDUCAUSE, 2021, pg 7.).
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Reference List
EDUCAUSE. (2021). 2021 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report: Teaching and Learning Edition. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://library.educause.edu/-/media/files/library/2021/4/2021hrteachinglearning.pdf?
Wall Street Journal, The. [WSJ]. (2022). Why Some See Web 3.0 as the Future of the Internet – WSJ. [Video]/ YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEJGQD1OuKA