Chapter 8 :

Online
Communities

1|Page
3.6.1-3.7.1 Understand the key features, functions and target audience of different forms of
online communities:
Types of online communities:
1. Social Networking:

2. Online gaming:

2|Page
3. Online workspaces
Meaning: Online work spaces exists so that members of the community can collaborate
together for the purpose of work.

Features that Enable the function of online work spaces:

- Cloud storage and web applications that allow members to work on documents
through web browsers.
- Comments that can be left on documents for other users to see and reply to
- Enabling the comments to be edited by two or more members, which allows users to
develop the documents together.
- Messaging systems so that members can discuss the work.
- Shared calendars
- Shared contact lists
- Chat rooms to allow discussion of work

4. Virtual learning environments (VLE):

5. User-generated reference sites: wikis ,websites ,forums

Meaning: They are information websites created and maintained by communities of
members.
Wiki:
A wiki is a website or database that is developed by a number of collaborating users, all
of whom can add and edit documents. Examples include: Wikipedia and online music
database.
Function of wikis:
The function of a wiki allow members of the community to collaborate in order to build
and edit web pages.
Features that enable the function of wiki:
-search tools

3|Page
- Member accounts, which allow users to trach which edits have been made by which
members of the community.
- Structured language, which allows members to format web pages or add links to other
content.

Forums:
An online forum is a website or web page where users can post comments and
information and reply to other users comments. Example: The student Room.

The functions of forums:

Forums provide members of the community with online spaces for structured
discussions.

Features that enable the function of forums:

- Groups, allowing members in one group to have different levels of access or rights to
members in other groups.
- Moderators, who are members who have the right to allow or block posts or members.
- Administrators, who are members with the same privileges as moderators plus some
additional rights.
- posts, which are messages sent by members to the group.
- Threads, which are topics for conversation, with replies usually arranged and stored by
date or topic.
- Ratings, Which allow members of the community to rate other members posts and
enable members to see how helpful or genuine the posts are.

Safety features in forums:

 Word or URL censoring: when posts are submitted to forum, they are scanned for
inappropriate words and URLs. If any are found the post is rejected automatically
or sent to moderators to check.
 Ignore or block: These are safety features that mute members or stop the from
being able to access the forum.
 Rules and responsible or acceptable use of policies: These tell members what
they can and cannot do on the forum. If members break the rules, then
moderators or administrators can send them a warning via private message or
block them from the forum.
 Report or flag a user or post: This feature allows members to tell moderators if
other members have broken the rules of the forum.

4|Page
6. User-generated content: video sharing sites, blogs, websites
User-generated content is content available online that has been made by users of a
particular site or service.

Video- sharing and photo-sharing sites:

Example of sites where users can share their videos and photographs include vimeo and
YouTube.

Function of video-sharing and photo-sharing sites:

These sites allow people to access and share content created and uploaded by members
of the community.

Features that enable the function of video-sharing and photo-sharing sites:

User accounts and profiles
Content management systems, which allow users to add content to a page or to
edit content on a page.
Tags or categories shared content.
Ratings, which allow users to rate shared videos and photographs.
Comments, which allow people to discuss the photographs and videos that have
been shared.
Blogs and vlogs:
A blog is a website or web page that is updated regularly, often written like a diary or
a series of articles. A vlog is a video blog. Example of blog and vlog include YouTube.
The function of blogs and vlogs:
Blog and vlogs communities allow people to create online diaries of events or
articles. They are similar to wikis, but that usually contain additional features and
more integration with social networking sites.
Features that enable the function of blogs and vlogs:
 User accounts and profiles
 Text editors, which allow bloggers to write and edit their content online.
 Upload tools for adding videos and photographs
 Tags
 Ratings
 Comments
 Third-party integration as social networking features, which allows users to
share and react to the vlog or blog.

5|Page
 7. Social bookmarking:
Its sites that allow users to categorize and share web documents and URLs so that other
people can access them. Examples include; Pinterest.

The Function of Social Bookmarking sites:

Social bookmarking sits exist to allow people to share web documents and URLs with
each other.

Features that enable the function of social Bookmarking sites:

 Social networking feature to connect users with each other.
 Third-party integration such as social networking features, which allows users to
share and react to content on social bookmarking sites directly from websites
using buttons.
 Tags to organize and categorize URLs
 User accounts.
3.7.2 Understand the ways in which online communities are used to communicate and collaborate on
a global scale.

Because of the global reach of the internet, online communities are accessed by members from all over
the world. Many communities have translation tools to provide wider access to their content and
services.

3.7.4 Understand how to stay safe online:

1. Anonymity of others ( misrepresentation )

Members od online communities can choose to stay anonymous online. Anonymity can protect users,
but it also means that some users can misrespect themselves by pretending to be someone that they are
not.

2. Disclosure of personal information/location

It can be dangerous to disclose ( disclose means making information known to other people) too much
personal information online. People could use this information for the purposes of grooming ( grooming
means pretending to befriend someone with the intention of harming or abusing that person) or to
locate the person or their friends and family.

3. Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the term used to describe the use of the internet to send text or images to upset
someone or embarrass someone.

6|Page
 Chapter 9:
The
implications of
digital
technologies

7|Page
3.8.1 Know about data protection, the legal requirements of those storing data about individuals and
an individual’s legal rights.

Data protection:

Some countries have laws to ensure that, when data is stored about individuals, that data is protected.

In the UK, there is a law called the Data Protection Act. This law means that organizations who are
responsible for using data have to follow rules called data protection principles. These principles mean
that they must make sure that the information is:

o Used fairly and lawfully

o Used for limited, specifically stated purposes
o Used in a way that is adequate ( adequate means: large enough in quantity or good
enough in quality).
o Accurate
o Kept for no longer than is absolutely necessary
o Handled according to peoples data protection rights
o Kept safe and secure

Under the Data Protection Act, individuals whose data is stored by organizations have the right
to:
o Access a copy of the information comprised of their personal data
o Object to data processing that is likely to cause or is causing damage or distress to the
individual
o Prevent processing for direct making, such as being sent newsletters or emails
o Object to decision that are taken by automated means.
3.8.2 Understand how copyright legislation affects the use of digital information and media.

Copyright is a legal power that provides the creator of am original work with the sole authority to
use and distribute it.

When a user downloads original work such as software, music, etc, the work that they downloaded
may be protected by copyright. If they live in a country with copyright laws, or a country that is part
of an international agreement, it can result the user facing legal action from the works copyright
owner.

Copyright owners can choose to distribute their work under licenses that users must pay for such as
downloading a music track.

When a customer pays for apps, books, music, images or videos, they pay for the right to use them
and NOT to distribute them to others.

8|Page
3.8.3 Understand that individuals’ movements and communications can be monitored.

Movements:

Individuals movements can be monitored using many methods. Examples include:

 Closed circuit television (CCTV), which sometimes uses facial recognition software.
 Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras used by law enforcement
agencies such as the police
 Monitoring the use of identification cards, travel cards, passports at borders and
bank card transactions.
 Identifying devices on networks by their IP or MAC address
 Using GPS data shared by apps such as friend finder apps for mobile devices
 GPS trackers that can be attached to items of clothing such as belts.
There are benefits to monitoring individuals movements, such as being able to:
 Find people who are lost, especially young children
 Locate nearby friends in order to arrange to meet socially
 Identify people on networks
 Identify and locate potential criminals at events
 Keep travelers safe
 Verify individuals for financial transactions in order to reduce financial crime.
Drawbacks to monitoring individuals:

9|Page
  Compromising people’s privacy
 The expense of setting up, monitoring and maintaining systems.
 The energy consumption of the systems and the effect on the environment
 Making people feel as though they are not trusted.
Communications:
There are many ways in which individuals communication can be monitored. For example,
parents can use parental control software to monitor their children’s online activity and use of
applications.
3.8.4 Be aware of safe and responsible practice when using ICT.

Digital technologies offer great opportunities for individuals. However, there are risks associated
with their use.
3.8.5 Understand sustainability issues and ways of mitigating the environmental impact of digital
devices.

The use of ICT can negatively affect the environment. It can use up natural resources and cause
harm to the planet.

3.8.6 Understand the health and safety issues that arise from individuals’ use of ICT and know how
they can be minimized:

Health and safety definition: Regulations and procedures intended to prevent accident or injury in
workplaces or public environments

10 | P a g e
Health and safety Risks:

11 | P a g e
What is Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)?
 Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a
general term used to describe the pain
felt in muscles, nerves and tendons
caused by repetitive movement and
overuse.
 It's also known as work-related upper
limb disorder, or non-specific upper
limb pain.
 The condition mostly affects parts of the upper body, such as the:
 forearms and elbows
 wrists and hands
 neck and shoulders

Symptoms of RSI:
 The symptoms of RSI can range from mild to severe and usually develop gradually. They
often include:
 pain, aching or tenderness
 stiffness
 throbbing
 tingling or numbness
 weakness
 cramp
 At first, you might only notice symptoms when you're carrying out a particular repetitive
action.
 But without treatment, the symptoms of RSI may eventually become constant and cause
longer periods of pain. You may also get swelling in the affected area, which can last for
several months.

12 | P a g e
Chapter 10 :
Online
Information

13 | P a g e
3.9.1 Understand that information can be gathered from a wide range of sources.

Information is available from a wide range of sources. These can either be primary sources ( something
that you have created yourself), which are those that you have created yourself, or secondary sources
( something that has been created by someone else), which are those that have been created by
someone else.

Primary Secondary
Photographs that you have taken yourself Newspapers, books and maps
Interviews or questionnaires conducted by you CDs, DVDs or Blu-rays created others
Your own blogs, social media posts or emails Television and radio broadcasts
Your own sound or video recordings Websites created by other people

3.9.2 Be able to select and use appropriate sources of information.

You can decide whether the information that you have found is appropriate for use in a document or
digital product by considering whether the information is fit for purpose and for the intended audience.

14 | P a g e
3.9.3 Know how to use search engines effectively.

If you want to find information online and do not know the URLs of any sites that contain that
information, you can use a search engine. Search engines compare the words entered by a user
with words in a database of web pages. They then show the user the results that are closest
match to their original keywords.
Search engines can be used in browsers, but they are also used by smart personal assistants
such as Amazons Alexa and Apples Siri.
Examples on web-based search engines are:
 Bing
 Yahoo
 Google
Some search engines give the result using autofill as soon as you start to type keyword into
it. The suggested results often change as you continue to move text.
Search Syntax:
Syntaxis the rules that dictate how words and phrases are used in languages, including
computing languages. This will make the search engine give you a specific results.
And (+)
Adding + between words will return only results that match both words.

Not(-)
Adding – before a word will return only results that do not include that word.

Phrase Matching (“”)

Place speech marks around a group of words will return only results that include the whole
phrase with the words in the specific order.
3.9.5 Understand issues related to copyright: o permission to use o acknowledgement of source
3.9.6 Understand issues related to plagiarism: o copy and paste o rewriting o paraphrasing

What is copyright?

• Copyright refers to the legal right of the owner of intellectual property.

In simpler terms, copyright is the right to copy. This means that the original creators of products and
anyone they give authorization to are the only ones with the exclusive right to reproduce the work

15 | P a g e
 What is plagiarism?
The practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own.

16 | P a g e