Introduction On Friday the fifth of October, a painting by the elusive political street artist known as Banksy ‘self-destructed’ the moment it was sold for 1.4 million pounds at an auction in London. The following Saturday the artist himself posted a video online of the painting being shredded by a mechanism within its frame as …
The Digital World’s Environmental Impact
Introduction The production, consumption and disposal of the digital world has considerable environmental impacts. Hodgson (2015) states that global data centres are producing the same amount of emissions as aviation. E-waste and the ways in which to manage it are contestable. In 1998 electrical and electronic waste was estimated to be 6 million tonnes and …
The Digital Divide
Introduction Conceptualising the diverse topic that exists in today’s world, this blog post will approach the digital divide with an outlook of hope that the widening gap will one day close. Starting with a brief understanding of how exactly the digital divide came about, explanations will then be brought forward to help further explore this …
How can Learning Technologies Support Teaching of Social Research Methods?
Introduction While social research methods are arguably a core feature of social science degrees universally, It appears to be a common trend that such modules are generally unpopular and have a bad reputation among students in the social sciences (Bos and Schneider, 2009; Peffefer and Rogalin, 2012; Ryan et al, 2014; Lewthwaite & Nind, 2016). …
Digital Footprints
My sister recently bought a new car, a 2016 Suzuki Vitara. It’s nice. She took me for a spin the other day so I started checking out its gizmos. I was messing around with the sat-nav, demanding directions to the Taj Mahal and Timbuktoo, when I noticed it had a history function. It hadn’t been …
Expression and Rights in the Information Age
Introduction The web, world culture, world politics, and most interpretations of basic human rights all have one thing in common. The right to one’s own opinions, free thought, and the equal, unrestricted expression of such—in other words—free speech. Many of the most important functions of the world order are, in part, defined by freedom of …
Textbook V’s Technology
Introduction Can the use of textbooks survive the introduction of technology in secondary schools in Ireland? Could textbooks be in danger of becoming something of history and are the teachers and schools prepared and trained enough to embrace these changes in the education process in Ireland. In recent years many schools across Ireland began to …
Efficient New Build Homes
This blog will show how efficient new build homes today, otherwise known as ultra-efficient homes, which incorporates innovate construction. It can do this by using up to date technologies. This takes place early on from the foundation process to the key being turned in the door of the finished home. The technologies used are efficient …
Online Crime and Harassment: Protected and Rewarded
Introduction A truism it may be, the information age, as it has come to be known, has brought about changes of unprecedented proportions to societies all over the world. Through the commercialization of the synthesis between artificial intelligence, the internet, and modern developments in engineering, ‘smart’ technology has been harnessed by the common man, presenting …
Are we becoming slaves to tech companies like Apple and Facebook?
On the 3rd of November 2017 Apple officially launched the iPhone X, conveniently just in time for Christmas. It is expected that millions of their loyal customers will flock to purchase this latest development in the ‘age of technology’. How else could Apple retain their spot at the top of Forbes rich list than without …