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Exploring the Social Conditionality of the Contemporary Mode of Technological Development: Beyond the Edge of the (Research on) the Digital Divide.
Lupač, Petr ; Suša, Oleg (advisor) ; Müller, Karel (referee) ; Jirák, Jan (referee)
In his dissertation thesis, the author elaborates on a new position from which both information society theory and digital divide research could be analyzed as active participants in a large-scale societal reconstruction. The text begins with the reconstruction of the argumentation core of information society theories, which is then utilized when choosing their latest, most respected, and most elaborated version. In the following chapter, the author presents the composition of Manuel Castells' information society theory and its tight relationship with the digital divide issue. In the final parts of this chapter, the author reveals the key position of the digital divide issue in solving the contradictions and negative aspects of informatization. The chapter is concluded by finding out the absence of the link between digital divide and information society theory in the preceding criticism of Castells' work. In the fourth part, the development, arguments, and empirical evidence of the digital divide research are presented, followed by identification of the limits of contemporary academic digital divide discourse. In the sixth chapter, the author tries to overcome these limits by proposing a new empirical evidence better fitting model of the digital divide. The thesis is concluded by thinking over the...
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Digital divide problematics between different age groups and it's solution
Prudký, Pavel ; Vlasák, Rudolf (advisor) ; Šlerka, Josef (referee)
Pavel Prudký Digital divide problematics between different age groups and it's solution The thesis is focused on digital divide problematics between different age groups and it's solution. The initial theoretical part is being followed by a practical part, including it's own research, dealing with digital divide problematics between different age groups in the specified region. In the theoretical part of the thesis, I discribed the phenomenon of the information society, information society and social exclusion, Czech information society, digital divide, gray digital divide and I also examined the specifics of different age groups. In the practical part of the work I dealt with the analysis of the digital divide problematics between different age groups in the specified region. After determining the objectives and description of survey methods for obtaining and processing data collected in the questionnaire survey, I dealt with analyzing the survey data, especially data relative to hypotheses set, describing the creation of digital divide between members of different age groups. In the conclusion, there were described existing conceptions in the European Union, in Czech Republic, and then were determined suggestions for specific procedures to eliminate the digital divide between different age groups.
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The Influence of the Internet on Education
Kozmová, Marie ; Kocianová, Renata (advisor) ; Eger, Ludvík (referee)
This work concentrates on the changes that the Internet has caused in education since its invention to the present day and predicts possible future development of the Internet use in education. It focuses on the learning needs of people in the information society and the role of adult educators in bridging the digital divide. The work further deals with changes in several cognitive functions, which are directly related to education. Special attention is given to a new theory of networked learning, connectivism, and specific ways of learning on the internet. Personal learning environments, massive open online courses, open educational resources and the concept of school 2.0 are critically viewed. The well-known web applications and tools suitable for use in teaching are briefly introduced.
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The phenomenon of the digital divide in the time of the expansion of demassificated media
Pečiva, Martin ; Očko, Petr (advisor) ; Šlerka, Josef (referee)
The final thesis deals with the mapping of the use of network media as one of the tools of political communication during events, that are called Arab Spring (Arab revolution). It is based on the hypothesis, that some people in non-democratic countries are able to effectively deal with information and are able to spread it efficiently among themselves and beyond their country through network media. All this despite of the fact that in these modes is censorship, restriction or Internet blocking. It provides the evidence, that the use of the network media is, that they help to inform the world about events in the country, that held protests or riots. Social networks are not used to organize and coordinate protests, as they were often attributed by the media. Network media acted more as an alternative channel of information to the outside of the country.
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Facebook users typology
Musilová, Marta ; Lupač, Petr (advisor) ; Sládek, Jan (referee)
The main purpose of this work is to validate SNS users' typology, proposed by Brandtzæg, which is based on their mode of use and activity on Facebook. The topology is based on the digital divide theory. In particular it focuses on the participation gap, which references the state in which not everyone has the same opportunity to participate in the production of online content, which can place certain groups at a disadvantage. The second framework for this paper is social capital theory; social networking sites contribute to social capital accumulation and simplify the maintenance of one's contacts. Four user types were detected, and three of them were same as suggested: Sporadics, Lurkers and Advanced users. The fourth indicated type were Sharers, who were not the same as Brandtzægs' Debaters, but they shared a lot in common, so they are counted as a variation on Debaters. My sample lacked Socializers. It was determined that the more active the user type, the bigger the social capital that type displayed. My results also suggest a gender-based participation gap, men being more participative than women. The research was conducted online with a total of 276 respondents; given that the sample was not representative, the nature of this work is explorative.
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The Czech digital divide as a form of Inequality: the non-users problem
Macek, Oskar ; Lupač, Petr (advisor) ; Sládek, Jan (referee)
This paper deals theoretically and empirically with the problem of inequality in the information society, known as the theory of digital divide. In its first section, the paper outlines the theoretical concept of the information society, followed by a presentation of the digital divide issue. This theory is then confronted with the idea of certain strategies of the Internet usage substitution, which would help eliminate the non-users' natural disadvantage. A qualitative research among Czech seniors, based on this idea, follows. It is trying to analyse this issue, its final product being a typology of the Internet non-users in relation to substitution strategies.
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Determinants of IT Investments and Penetration: A Cross-Country Analysis
Alexa, Jiří ; Potužák, Pavel (advisor) ; Chytilová, Helena (referee)
This thesis examines determinants of IT investments and IT penetration rate. The full sample consists of panel data for 69 countries between years 1996 and 2013.We analyze three types of IT devices: smartphones, tablets and PCs. In order to reveal cross-segment and cross-technology differences in the importance of various determinants, separate regression models are estimated on technology-segment level. Installed base per capita, which is used to measure the level of existing capital, is included among independent variables in equations estimating per capita IT investments. Results show that the effect of the level of existing capital is stronger for smartphones and tablets when compared to PCs. Another finding is that commercial segment is less price sensitive than consumer segment. This study also provides several findings regarding other determinants of IT penetration rate and IT investments such as: national wealth, human capital, openness to trade and external knowledge, and business cycles.
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Using Internet Servers in English Language Teaching.
ŠPIČKOVÁ, Eva
This dissertation is focused on the possibilities of using the Internet, especially Internet servers that are focused on English learning, teaching and also practice for lower secondary school learners. One of the aims was to find such servers, to compare and assess them, not only from the didactic point of view. Other aspects have been studied - functionality, orientation in the structure of the internet servers. The text and content of the web pages were also taken into consideration. Another criterion is the utilization of these internet servers by teachers and learners. The aim of this dissertation is to give advice to teachers and learners which servers are appropriate to English teching and learning. The practical part includes a survey based on questionnaires among lower secondary school learners. Its aim is to find out whether they already know and use such servers.
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Analýza trhu vysokorychlostního připojení k internetu v ČR
Poloczek, Bronislav ; Toman, Prokop (advisor) ; Sigmund, Tomáš (referee)
The objective of the thesis is to provide a view of the situation in high-speed Internet connection in the Czech Republic. At the beginning we present a history of internet and describes in particular the most frequently used technology of high-speed connectivity to the Internet. This is followed by a comparison of the current supply and demand in a market of Internet connection in the Czech Republic. This study not only compare technological aspects, but takes into consideration the economic situation, government regulations and changes from 2009 as well. Finally, there is a summarization and an evaluation of the results and a reflection on possible future on a market of high-speed connection in Czech republic.
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Analysis of the impacts of internet on society from generational perspective
Bašus, Martin ; Pavlíček, Antonín (advisor) ; Toman, Prokop (referee)
The work deals with generational aspects of information society. The first part describes the information society through five criteria. Furthermore, the issue of digital divide is discussed, focusing on generational type. More details are addressed about four types of access to information and communication technologies and field of digital exclusion. The third chapter describes the concept of the net generation and changes that theorists credited to this group as a result of rising in information society. It describes changes in five areas: thinking, learning, working, consumption and culture. Social network sites are taken into account, specifically their effects on the younger generation and the related issue of misuse of personal information. Furthermore, the work focuses on the implications of the emergence of the information society for seniors, which are further analyzed in the fourth part. Benefits that ICT brings to seniors are described. It also discusses barriers to the use of these technologies. In the last part the questionnaire is analyzed.
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