Changing the Society with the Internet

Empowerment,eDemocracy, Media Literacy

Yuki Sato

Hitotsubashi University, ngtf

How the Internet can change the society

(from sociological perspective)

• Empowerment of minorities such as women

• Possibility of eDemocracy

• Media Literacy

How can minorities become empowered by using the Internet?• Getting their voice, which is not heard in

major mass-media like newspaper, heard.

• The freedom of expression and speech

• Finding people who have same problem on the internet.

• The Internet is a powerful potential to unite

Who are minorities?= Everyone marginalized

• Women(not all women)

• Ethnic group

• Disabled people

• Elder People

• Those who have minor sexual orientation such as lesbian and gay.

United Nations

• UNESCOThe Communication and Information Sector

• ObjectivePromoting the free flow of ideas and universal access to information

Promoting the expression of pluralism and cultural diversity in the media and world information networks

Promoting access for all to ICTs

NGOs, NPOs..

• Many NGOs which are working on the improvement of the Internet communication and utilizing the Internet to get connected.

Ex.) War Against Movement, Dialogue with conflicting group, eDemocracy

eDemocracy

• The new form of democracy utilizing the Internet communication

• Anti-War Movement (2003/01-)

• Anti-Globalization Movement

• Dialogue in the Internet after 9/11

Media Literacy

• Teaching media literacy, Multi-cultural education

• Using the Internet for resource and the International communication at schoolEx.Think Quest

Think Quest

• Competition where students collaborate on making educational website.

• ThinkQuest Library• Think Quest Internet Challenge

Started in the United States in 1996International competition 1997-2001(2004?-)24674 Students from about 120 Countries took part(1998-2001)

• ThinkQuest@… ex. ThinkQuest@JAPAN

ThinkQuest Feature

• New Style of the LearningCreative! Think by themselves

• Teaching Material for Students by Studentsgreat opportunity to develop student’s interests

• Collaboration using the Internet

ThinkQuest

How does it work?

1. Finds team-mates and coaches in person or on the Internet(Team Maker)2-3 students with 1-3 coaches make one website.

2. Discusses the theme and makes schedule

3. Work, Work, Work

4. Completes the website

5. Finalists are invited to the award ceremony and given an opportunity to meet the team-mates

My Experience @ ThinkQuest

• ThinkQuest@Japan 1998• ThinkQuest Internet Challenge 1999

Established Discovering China through collaboration with the students from the US, South Africa and India.

• What was Exciting?Collaboration,Communication with the members and users of the website

Updated Info about ThinkQuest

• See this website;www.thinkquest.org

• ThinkQuest International

Coming soon!!!

Issues

• Digital Divide domestic(city and rural), international

• Language

• Financial Matter

• Harassment such as virus

• The Possibility for Deception

Change the Society with the Internet!

• Change the society!• Change & discover yourself!• Dialogue with the people!• Change the world!!!

We need the vision how to utilize the internet!

Thank You!

Yuki Satoyuki-s@yhb.att.ne.jp