Digital and Social Inequalities : A Qualitative Assessment of the Impact of the Connecting Equality Program on Argentinean Youth

This paper focuses on the ties between social and digital inequalities among Argentinean youth. It uses a qualitative approach to explore different aspects of the everyday lives of adolescents, such as sociability, leisure time and family use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), in order to assess the impact of the Connecting Equality Program (Programa Conectar Igualdad, PCI) on reducing digital inequalities and fostering social inclusion. What were the existing conditions of access for students and their families when the PCI was first implemented? What influence does the implementation of the PCI have on the individual, family and scholastic appropriation of ICTs? How does the use of computers and the Internet vary among youth? Has this large-scale incorporation of netbooks in schools, and especially homes and free time changed it in any way? Does the appropriation of ICTs through student participation in the PCI contribute to material and symbolic social inclusion? In order to answer these questions, we compare the processes of ICT appropriation among lower and middle class adolescents, focusing on the distinctive uses and meanings assigned to computers and the Internet by boys and girls in their daily lives. For this purpose we analyze data collected through semi-structured interviews in two schools in Greater La Plata, Argentina during 2012. The main findings show that in terms of access, skills and types of use, the implementation of the PCI has had a positive impact among lower class youth, guaranteeing access to their first computers and promoting the sharing of knowledge and digital skills with family members. Moreover, evidence of more diverse and intense use of ICTs among lower class students reveals the development of digital skills related to educational activities. Finally, in terms of sociability, having a personal netbook enables access to information and cultural goods which are very significant in generating ties and strengthening identities and social integration

Digital and Social Inequalities : A Qualitative Assessment of the Impact of the Connecting Equality Program on Argentinean Youth

This paper focuses on the ties between social and digital inequalities among Argentinean youth. It uses a qualitative approach to explore different aspects of the everyday lives of adolescents, such as sociability, leisure time and family use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), in order to assess the impact of the Connecting Equality Program (Programa Conectar Igualdad, PCI) on reducing digital inequalities and fostering social inclusion. What were the existing conditions of access for students and their families when the PCI was first implemented? What influence does the implementation of the PCI have on the individual, family and scholastic appropriation of ICTs? How does the use of computers and the Internet vary among youth? Has this large-scale incorporation of netbooks in schools, and especially homes and free time changed it in any way? Does the appropriation of ICTs through student participation in the PCI contribute to material and symbolic social inclusion? In order to answer these questions, we compare the processes of ICT appropriation among lower and middle class adolescents, focusing on the distinctive uses and meanings assigned to computers and the Internet by boys and girls in their daily lives. For this purpose we analyze data collected through semi-structured interviews in two schools in Greater La Plata, Argentina during 2012. The main findings show that in terms of access, skills and types of use, the implementation of the PCI has had a positive impact among lower class youth, guaranteeing access to their first computers and promoting the sharing of knowledge and digital skills with family members. Moreover, evidence of more diverse and intense use of ICTs among lower class students reveals the development of digital skills related to educational activities. Finally, in terms of sociability, having a personal netbook enables access to information and cultural goods which are very significant in generating ties and strengthening identities and social integration

Digital and Social Inequalities : A Qualitative Assessment of the Impact of the Connecting Equality Program on Argentinean Youth

This paper focuses on the ties between social and digital inequalities among Argentinean youth. It uses a qualitative approach to explore different aspects of the everyday lives of adolescents, such as sociability, leisure time and family use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), in order to assess the impact of the Connecting Equality Program (Programa Conectar Igualdad, PCI) on reducing digital inequalities and fostering social inclusion. What were the existing conditions of access for students and their families when the PCI was first implemented? What influence does the implementation of the PCI have on the individual, family and scholastic appropriation of ICTs? How does the use of computers and the Internet vary among youth? Has this large-scale incorporation of netbooks in schools, and especially homes and free time changed it in any way? Does the appropriation of ICTs through student participation in the PCI contribute to material and symbolic social inclusion? In order to answer these questions, we compare the processes of ICT appropriation among lower and middle class adolescents, focusing on the distinctive uses and meanings assigned to computers and the Internet by boys and girls in their daily lives. For this purpose we analyze data collected through semi-structured interviews in two schools in Greater La Plata, Argentina during 2012. The main findings show that in terms of access, skills and types of use, the implementation of the PCI has had a positive impact among lower class youth, guaranteeing access to their first computers and promoting the sharing of knowledge and digital skills with family members. Moreover, evidence of more diverse and intense use of ICTs among lower class students reveals the development of digital skills related to educational activities. Finally, in terms of sociability, having a personal netbook enables access to information and cultural goods which are very significant in generating ties and strengthening identities and social integration

Redes técnicas y políticas públicas en la Argentina desde fines de siglo XX : Cambios en el sector de tecnologías de información y comunicación

En la Argentina de finales de siglo xx, el crecimiento de las redes de comunicación e información se tornó amplio y acelerado, con diversificación y expansión geográfica de los servicios. En la transformación, se registró la progresiva masificación de Internet, que favoreció nuevos desarrollos locales, vinculados fundamentalmente con el software. Estos cambios acaecieron con la Reforma del Estado en los años 1990 y la revolución tecnológica digital, que dieron renovado impulso a las demandas de las empresas de servicios privatizadas y a la expansión del sector financiero. En ese contexto, el Estado actúa fundamentalmente como "garante" y promotor de vínculos entre actores privados. El sector de tecnologías de información y comunicación se posicionó en el mercado externo a partir del siglo xxi. Desde entonces, el Estado elabora instrumentos que proponen diversos incentivos para el desarrollo de las redes y tecnologías de la información y comunicación. A partir del estudio de las políticas públicas de promoción o regulación del sector, este trabajo indaga la expansión de las redes técnicas y los servicios

Políticas y planes de lectura : El caso de Uruguay

Se aborda el tema de las políticas públicas de promoción de la lectura, enfatizando en la formulación de planes nacionales, como medio para implementar dichas políticas en el contexto socio-educativo de un país. Se hace una breve referencia a las acciones a favor de la lectura en Iberoamérica y se estudia particularmente la situación de Uruguay con especial referencia al Plan Nacional de Lectura. Se esbozan los conceptos de campaña de lectura, promoción de la lectura, animación a la lectura y políticas públicas de lectura. Se reflexiona sobre la importancia de la lectura en el nuevo contexto social pautado por la fuerte presencia de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación. Se enfatiza en la importancia de la lectura textual y multimedial (recreativa, educativa, informativa) como herramienta fundamental para la formación de individuos críticos que puedan ser capaces de desarrollar competencias para la sociedad del siglo XXI

Analysis and visualization of the dynamics of research groups in terms of projects and co-authored publications : A case study of library and information science in Argentina

Objective: The present study offers a novel methodological contribution to the study of the configuration and dynamics of research groups, through a comparative perspective of the projects funded (inputs) and publication co-authorships (output). Method: A combination of bibliometric techniques and social network analysis was applied to a case study: the Departmento de Bibliotecología (DHUBI), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina, for the period 2000-2009. The results were interpreted statistically and staff members of the department, were interviewed. Results: The method makes it possible to distinguish groups, identify their members and reflect group make-up through an analytical strategy that involves the categorization of actors and the interdisciplinary and national or international projection of the networks that they configure. The integration of these two aspects (input and output) at different points in time over the analyzed period leads to inferences about group profiles and the roles of actors. Conclusions: The methodology presented is conducive to micro-level interpretations in a given area of study, regarding individual researchers or research groups. Because the comparative input-output analysis broadens the base of information and makes it possible to follow up, over time, individual and group trends, it may prove very useful for the management, promotion and evaluation of science

Redes técnicas y políticas públicas en la Argentina desde fines de siglo XX : Cambios en el sector de tecnologías de información y comunicación

En la Argentina de finales de siglo xx, el crecimiento de las redes de comunicación e información se tornó amplio y acelerado, con diversificación y expansión geográfica de los servicios. En la transformación, se registró la progresiva masificación de Internet, que favoreció nuevos desarrollos locales, vinculados fundamentalmente con el software. Estos cambios acaecieron con la Reforma del Estado en los años 1990 y la revolución tecnológica digital, que dieron renovado impulso a las demandas de las empresas de servicios privatizadas y a la expansión del sector financiero. En ese contexto, el Estado actúa fundamentalmente como "garante" y promotor de vínculos entre actores privados. El sector de tecnologías de información y comunicación se posicionó en el mercado externo a partir del siglo xxi. Desde entonces, el Estado elabora instrumentos que proponen diversos incentivos para el desarrollo de las redes y tecnologías de la información y comunicación. A partir del estudio de las políticas públicas de promoción o regulación del sector, este trabajo indaga la expansión de las redes técnicas y los servicios

Políticas y planes de lectura : El caso de Uruguay

Se aborda el tema de las políticas públicas de promoción de la lectura, enfatizando en la formulación de planes nacionales, como medio para implementar dichas políticas en el contexto socio-educativo de un país. Se hace una breve referencia a las acciones a favor de la lectura en Iberoamérica y se estudia particularmente la situación de Uruguay con especial referencia al Plan Nacional de Lectura. Se esbozan los conceptos de campaña de lectura, promoción de la lectura, animación a la lectura y políticas públicas de lectura. Se reflexiona sobre la importancia de la lectura en el nuevo contexto social pautado por la fuerte presencia de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación. Se enfatiza en la importancia de la lectura textual y multimedial (recreativa, educativa, informativa) como herramienta fundamental para la formación de individuos críticos que puedan ser capaces de desarrollar competencias para la sociedad del siglo XXI

Analysis and visualization of the dynamics of research groups in terms of projects and co-authored publications : A case study of library and information science in Argentina

Objective: The present study offers a novel methodological contribution to the study of the configuration and dynamics of research groups, through a comparative perspective of the projects funded (inputs) and publication co-authorships (output). Method: A combination of bibliometric techniques and social network analysis was applied to a case study: the Departmento de Bibliotecología (DHUBI), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina, for the period 2000-2009. The results were interpreted statistically and staff members of the department, were interviewed. Results: The method makes it possible to distinguish groups, identify their members and reflect group make-up through an analytical strategy that involves the categorization of actors and the interdisciplinary and national or international projection of the networks that they configure. The integration of these two aspects (input and output) at different points in time over the analyzed period leads to inferences about group profiles and the roles of actors. Conclusions: The methodology presented is conducive to micro-level interpretations in a given area of study, regarding individual researchers or research groups. Because the comparative input-output analysis broadens the base of information and makes it possible to follow up, over time, individual and group trends, it may prove very useful for the management, promotion and evaluation of science

Redes técnicas y políticas públicas en la Argentina desde fines de siglo XX : Cambios en el sector de tecnologías de información y comunicación

En la Argentina de finales de siglo xx, el crecimiento de las redes de comunicación e información se tornó amplio y acelerado, con diversificación y expansión geográfica de los servicios. En la transformación, se registró la progresiva masificación de Internet, que favoreció nuevos desarrollos locales, vinculados fundamentalmente con el software. Estos cambios acaecieron con la Reforma del Estado en los años 1990 y la revolución tecnológica digital, que dieron renovado impulso a las demandas de las empresas de servicios privatizadas y a la expansión del sector financiero. En ese contexto, el Estado actúa fundamentalmente como "garante" y promotor de vínculos entre actores privados. El sector de tecnologías de información y comunicación se posicionó en el mercado externo a partir del siglo xxi. Desde entonces, el Estado elabora instrumentos que proponen diversos incentivos para el desarrollo de las redes y tecnologías de la información y comunicación. A partir del estudio de las políticas públicas de promoción o regulación del sector, este trabajo indaga la expansión de las redes técnicas y los servicios

Políticas y planes de lectura : El caso de Uruguay

Se aborda el tema de las políticas públicas de promoción de la lectura, enfatizando en la formulación de planes nacionales, como medio para implementar dichas políticas en el contexto socio-educativo de un país. Se hace una breve referencia a las acciones a favor de la lectura en Iberoamérica y se estudia particularmente la situación de Uruguay con especial referencia al Plan Nacional de Lectura. Se esbozan los conceptos de campaña de lectura, promoción de la lectura, animación a la lectura y políticas públicas de lectura. Se reflexiona sobre la importancia de la lectura en el nuevo contexto social pautado por la fuerte presencia de las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación. Se enfatiza en la importancia de la lectura textual y multimedial (recreativa, educativa, informativa) como herramienta fundamental para la formación de individuos críticos que puedan ser capaces de desarrollar competencias para la sociedad del siglo XXI

Analysis and visualization of the dynamics of research groups in terms of projects and co-authored publications : A case study of library and information science in Argentina

Objective: The present study offers a novel methodological contribution to the study of the configuration and dynamics of research groups, through a comparative perspective of the projects funded (inputs) and publication co-authorships (output). Method: A combination of bibliometric techniques and social network analysis was applied to a case study: the Departmento de Bibliotecología (DHUBI), Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina, for the period 2000-2009. The results were interpreted statistically and staff members of the department, were interviewed. Results: The method makes it possible to distinguish groups, identify their members and reflect group make-up through an analytical strategy that involves the categorization of actors and the interdisciplinary and national or international projection of the networks that they configure. The integration of these two aspects (input and output) at different points in time over the analyzed period leads to inferences about group profiles and the roles of actors. Conclusions: The methodology presented is conducive to micro-level interpretations in a given area of study, regarding individual researchers or research groups. Because the comparative input-output analysis broadens the base of information and makes it possible to follow up, over time, individual and group trends, it may prove very useful for the management, promotion and evaluation of science