Changes

====Political====

====Political====

The political processes in most countries have been impacted by digital ICTs. Many political leaders now participate on virtual platforms that allow them to communicate with people directly, e.g. Twitter which is a 'micro blogging' platform, is used by many political leaders, as well as government departments to communicate its work and information. Mass movements have also used digital networking tools to collaborate and support action. It is said that during the recent Egypt struggle for democracy, protests were co-ordinated using social networking platforms/tools, which made them more effective. The counting of votes has now become a fraction of time, used earlier, through 'electronic voting machines' and in a large country like India with a large voter base, counting for an entire constituency can be completed in a matter of hours.  

The political processes in most countries have been impacted by digital ICTs. Many political leaders now participate on virtual platforms that allow them to communicate with people directly, e.g. Twitter which is a 'micro blogging' platform, is used by many political leaders, as well as government departments to communicate its work and information. Mass movements have also used digital networking tools to collaborate and support action. It is said that during the recent Egypt struggle for democracy, protests were co-ordinated using social networking platforms/tools, which made them more effective. The counting of votes has now become a fraction of time, used earlier, through 'electronic voting machines' and in a large country like India with a large voter base, counting for an entire constituency can be completed in a matter of hours.  

====Think and talk it over with your students====

=====Think and talk it over with your students=====

The use of Internet by people mobilising in Egypt during the 'Arab spring' is discussed in detail in 'Internet Activism and the Egyptian uprisings : transforming on-line activism into the off-line world' by Tim Eaton, see [https://www.westminster.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/220675/WPCC-vol9-issue2.pdf article]). Read this article and discuss the concept of 'mediated mobilisation'. Can a variation of such a strategy be used for instance by women, to protest against illicit liquor shops in villages? Can you create a group of your colleagues in your Mandal, using a tool like 'whatsapp' to discuss ways of raising awareness against domestic violence or eve teasing?  

The use of Internet by people mobilising in Egypt during the 'Arab spring' is discussed in detail in 'Internet Activism and the Egyptian uprisings : transforming on-line activism into the off-line world' by Tim Eaton, see [https://www.westminster.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/220675/WPCC-vol9-issue2.pdf article]). Read this article and discuss the concept of 'mediated mobilisation'. Can a variation of such a strategy be used for instance by women, to protest against illicit liquor shops in villages? Can you create a group of your colleagues in your Mandal, using a tool like 'whatsapp' to discuss ways of raising awareness against domestic violence or eve teasing?  

<br>'''Thus the digital nature of ICTs can be both greatly beneficial as well as greatly harmful for furthering human rights and development. Hence a critical perspective is essential, and as teachers we need to be cautious against the hype that surrounds ICTs, as a panacea for all problems, and instead keep a balanced and critical perspective and use our judgement to decide when and how to use digital technologies and when not to.'''

<br>'''Thus the digital nature of ICTs can be both greatly beneficial as well as greatly harmful for furthering human rights and development. Hence a critical perspective is essential, and as teachers we need to be cautious against the hype that surrounds ICTs, as a panacea for all problems, and instead keep a balanced and critical perspective and use our judgement to decide when and how to use digital technologies and when not to.'''

====Socio-cultural====

====Socio-cultural====

Since communication is the essence of social processes, the introduction of ICTs has dramatically impacted most of our socio-cultural activities and processes. With the mass use of the cell phone, we now assume that we can reach anyone any time. This kind of access enables us to plan interactions / activities in much more efficient ways. Even twenty years back, the best of possible communication situations, one was not sure, if one could reach another person using a land-line / fixed line phone. In the absence of email, the formal communication method of a letter sent over postal services meant a gap of several days before communication could be established. The reduction in communication time, has opened up numerous more possibilities for each of us (who are part of this digital world).  

Since communication is the essence of social processes, the introduction of ICTs has dramatically impacted most of our socio-cultural activities and processes. With the mass use of the cell phone, we now assume that we can reach anyone any time. This kind of access enables us to plan interactions / activities in much more efficient ways. Even twenty years back, the best of possible communication situations, one was not sure, if one could reach another person using a land-line / fixed line phone. In the absence of email, the formal communication method of a letter sent over postal services meant a gap of several days before communication could be established. The reduction in communication time, has opened up numerous more possibilities for each of us (who are part of this digital world).