Wk 1 A11 - Patterns of internet use in Britain

I read the report, Dutton, W.H. and Helsper, E. (2007) Oxford Internet Survey 2007 Report: The Internet in Britain (Oxford Internet Institute)

My notes from reading the executive summary are here. http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfjp86bs_88dq9ntsgs

Some of the patterns of internet use I would like to comment on are:
The most popular information seeking activities are making travel plans, looking for local events and news - I use the internet for this alot. In fact, most of my time is spent doing this. However I find that the internet does severely lack in local information, unless you live in a city.
Use of internet for everyday learning has increased - I think I learn something new everyday on the internet and think it's great when you are thinking or talking about something and you need more information, you can just go online there and then if you have mobile access, and get the answers or information you want.
First port of call for majority of internet users - Yes, I always start with the internet for information, if I can't find it there, then I go elsewhere. I get frustrated if it's not on the interne especially if I don't know where else to look.
Information about purchases is a common use but still doubts over the lack of face to face contact with the product/retailed - and as a result peopel depend on online reviews much more.
TV watching has reduced as a result - I've seen this in my life and friends of ours. People are spending more time using resources on the internet and socialising via the internet. In an indirect way, the internet created the role I am working in now, which created my ambition to do this course, which has meant I watch less TV.
Less than 1/5 use social networking profiles - althought I'm a self confessed internet addict, I hate social network sites and can't yet see they're benefit to me. Perhaps it's just an issue of time and I am becoming more selective in how I spend my time.
People do not feel that the internet intrudes on the time they spend with friends and families - I think it does intrude on this time, but it also increases the time you spend with friends and families. Without the internet my parents could not see their granddaughter as regularly as they do - we have regular Skype chats with them with the web cam since she was born; there are friends I am still in touch with, who I would not be without the internet. People are reunited over the internet too.
It increases contact with others, esp those at a distance *** See above
Civic participation is low - eg signing online petitions - but is that because we are quite an apathetic nation?
e-gov't services have increased - I've used the internet for ordering tax discs, it's so much easier than going to the post office and trying to find all those documents you have to take and queueing on a Saturday morning. One simple online form, no evidence required, it arrives in the post within a couple of days.

Implications for learning and teaching activities
Learners come from all ages and all background so not all will have the same experience, confidence or preferneces for using the internet. The study said that there are people who do not use the internet (Digital divides exist - men, students, Higher Ed'd and higher income individuals more likey to use than women, retired, disabled, lower education and lower income.) and these are people who study too so we have to consider their abilities when integrating technology into the learning.


I wonder if the gap that women show in this research is not down to confidence but to time (those in a traditional family arrangement of course). I'd love to learn more about this gender divide and the reasons behind it.

Simon's comments:
Given the discussion that has been ongoing about lurking, the statement that says, "Internet users tend to consider themselves more extroverted and social than non-users" seemed pertinent. Acknowledging that some people prefer to learn alone suggests that the context of Internet use has a bearing on user confidence. This has implications for designing online learning activities for students when our own experience is different to the experiences of others. (Simon Allan, 12-02-09 12.39 Wk 1 A11)