Comments on: ICT - a driving force? http://www.ncvo-networks.org.uk/blogs/ictforesight/2006/10/23/ict-a-driving-force/ Exploring how new technologies are changing voluntary action Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:51:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.2 Comment on ICT - a driving force? by: Megan http://www.ncvo-networks.org.uk/blogs/ictforesight/2006/10/23/ict-a-driving-force/#comment-3957 Tue, 24 Oct 2006 12:26:53 +0000 http://www.ncvo-networks.org.uk/blogs/ictforesight/2006/10/23/ict-a-driving-force/#comment-3957 I think that overall I agree with John and Eleanor, and that we are arguing that ICT enables certain things rather than changes anything in itself. For example - ICT facilitates the collection and aggregation of data, which can create a challenge for VCOs in terms of inappropriate comparison of organisations in databases. Obviously it is people that are fond of comparing things in this way, not computers, so an argument needs to be made about thinking through the implications of different impacts of ICT. Another example - ICT can allow an organisation to be more transparent about how it gathers opinions/discusses certain issues and therefore how it reaches a policy position. This is a great opportunity and chimes perfectly with the ethos of many organisations which is to help the voices of their clients/users/beneficiaries to be heard, and to be 'democratic' organisations. Again, ICT isn't driving anything here either (this was one of the central arguments of the report we just published) Perhaps the 'disagreement' mainly arises from the language we're using of 'drivers'? I think that overall I agree with John and Eleanor, and that we are arguing that ICT enables certain things rather than changes anything in itself.

For example - ICT facilitates the collection and aggregation of data, which can create a challenge for VCOs in terms of inappropriate comparison of organisations in databases. Obviously it is people that are fond of comparing things in this way, not computers, so an argument needs to be made about thinking through the implications of different impacts of ICT.

Another example - ICT can allow an organisation to be more transparent about how it gathers opinions/discusses certain issues and therefore how it reaches a policy position. This is a great opportunity and chimes perfectly with the ethos of many organisations which is to help the voices of their clients/users/beneficiaries to be heard, and to be ‘democratic’ organisations. Again, ICT isn’t driving anything here either (this was one of the central arguments of the report we just published)

Perhaps the ‘disagreement’ mainly arises from the language we’re using of ‘drivers’?

]]> Comment on ICT - a driving force? by: David Wilcox http://www.ncvo-networks.org.uk/blogs/ictforesight/2006/10/23/ict-a-driving-force/#comment-3938 Mon, 23 Oct 2006 14:15:57 +0000 http://www.ncvo-networks.org.uk/blogs/ictforesight/2006/10/23/ict-a-driving-force/#comment-3938 My immediate response to Eleanor's was: of course technology is more than a tool ... look how energy grids and transport systems changed how and where we live and work, and lots more. Aren't the new networked technologies making similar structural changes? But then I guess it depends what one means by "driver". I posted something recently: http://digbig.com/4nhpa on "Participation as culture not tools ... though new ones help" which touches on the same issues. I was arguing there that the new web tools have the potential for helping develop a more participative culture: "The social web and social media are profoundly important because they enable individuals to mix greater collaboration (we) with higher personal profile and influence (me). This immerses people in a new type of participative culture, with attitudes, tools and behaviours to match." The real drivers in this instance (and that quoted by Eleanor) are, of course, those people who use new tools for change. So perhaps the interesting issue is, who is going to be motivated to use new tools in ways that will impact on VCOs. My immediate response to Eleanor’s was: of course technology is more than a tool … look how energy grids and transport systems changed how and where we live and work, and lots more. Aren’t the new networked technologies making similar structural changes? But then I guess it depends what one means by “driver”. I posted something recently: http://digbig.com/4nhpa on “Participation as culture not tools … though new ones help” which touches on the same issues. I was arguing there that the new web tools have the potential for helping develop a more participative culture:
“The social web and social media are profoundly important because they enable individuals to mix greater collaboration (we) with higher personal profile and influence (me). This immerses people in a new type of participative culture, with attitudes, tools and behaviours to match.”
The real drivers in this instance (and that quoted by Eleanor) are, of course, those people who use new tools for change.
So perhaps the interesting issue is, who is going to be motivated to use new tools in ways that will impact on VCOs.

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