Students learn about: Factors affecting access to and acceptance of technology: - age, - culture, - education, - economic status, - disability, - geographical location, - gender, -religion
Success Criteria: Students to be able to discuss how each of the factors may impact on an individual's access to and acceptance of technology
FACTORS AFFECTING ACCESS TO AND ACCEPTANCE OF TECHNOLOGY
There are a number of factors affecting access to and acceptance of technology, which will either help or hinder individuals and groups. These include age, culture, education, economic status, disability, geographical location, gender and religion (EG GRACED) OR (CARED EGG) Each of the factors may impact on an individual's access to and acceptance of technology.
Education: Education allows individual's to develop the knowledge and gain skills to access technology and provides opportunities to gain confidence in using it. Higher educated individuals are more likely to have internet, use technology and adopt its use, as well as afford it.
On the other hand, individuals who have been poorly educated and denied the use of technology throughout their education may fear technology and the impact it may have on their children.
Geographical Location: Individuals living in rural and remote locations, significant distance from cities may have restricted access to and acceptance of new technologies. Technology removes distance barriers and statistics show that individuals who are unemployed in rural remote areas are less likely to have internet access at home.
Certain geographical locations may make it difficult for an individual to access technology; this may be due to a lack of access to places that stock, or give access to, the desired tech.
Gender: Differences in gender can influence adoption of new hardware and software solutions. Females are statistically more likely to accept new technologies to promote communications, whereas males are more likely to accept mechanical hardware solutions. The values and standards possessed by the individual, regardless of their gender, will determine whether the piece of technology is accepted.
https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/men-vs-women-active-social-media/
Religion: Technology is widely used by many churches to communicate with their parishioners and members. Services are webcast, podcasts used, and Facebook keeps people up to date with church events. However, some religions do not permit the use of technology in all forms, for example the Amish and conservative Jews. Other religious sectors use technology to spread their gospel; for example,microphones and video cameras are used during sermons.
Age: Age is a major factor in accepting the progress technology brings. Youth accept and access technology quickly, as they have grown up in an era where internet access is the norm, and have learnt how to manipulate hardware and software. The aged generally have lower levels of acceptance of technology in their lives, often asking their younger family members for assistance. A reluctance to change and give up devices that have served well over the years is most commonly aligned with age.
Culture: Language barriers may restrict access to technology though computerised translators are used to remove this barrier. Cultural groups access technology to communicate with members in overseas countries. Language barriers may restrict individuals from participating in community events where technology is used. Some individuals migrate from cultural groups where only basic items are required, such individuals may look at technology as being surplus to their needs. Thus, technology on offer may be met with opposition or non-acceptance.
Economic status: People with lower economic status and therefore less disposable income, may be limited In their access to new technologies due to the cost. Other needs will take priorities for lower income groups. However, people with higher economic status are likely to access and update their technology solutions often. The increasing amount of media attention given to the need to own the latest gadgets and technologies many cause conflict within a family when children pressure the family for specific hardware (iphones etc) While the family may be accepting of technology, their economic status denies them of the opportunity to own them.
Disability: Disability is an area that has benefited significantly from technological advances. Individuals can now more easily access online services and contact or be contacted by others. Assisted technologies enable people with disabilities to access, participate in and maintain an active life. Online services provide information, education, and support 24/7. However, the cost of some assistive technologies may restrict access for people with some disabilities. Withing the medicine domain, technology is well accepted and directly impacts on individual's wellbeing
Student group work activity:
Create a table in your books for each factor and complete an analysis of the access to and acceptance of technology. Use the example of the left as a guide. Use Edrolo for each factor as well as the content notes and the text book
Exam Prep Questions:
Describe how age and culture can impact on an individual's access to and acceptance of technology (4)
Explain how social factors can impact on an individual's access to and acceptance of technology (6)
Discuss how each of the factors may impact on an individual's access to and acceptance of technology (6)
Past HSC Questions
Explain how geographical location can affect an individual’s access to technology. NESA 2023
Change the factor to suit and repeat the question. Use the same marking criteria.
2. “Describe how a person’s age can affect their use of technology.” (4) 2022
3. How can household technology contribute to the wellbeing of individuals and families? (4) 2021
4. “Explain the effect technology can have on interpersonal relationships within the family” (6) 2019
5. How does education affect an individual's access to and acceptance of technology (4 marks) 2018
6. Analyse how an individual’s access to and acceptance of a selected piece of technology can affect their lifestyle. (15) 2024