PewInternet.org

How communities learn

Lee Rainie, Director, Pew Internet Project6.9.11Black Hills Knowledge NetworkEmail: Lrainie@pewinternet.orgTwitter: @Lrainie

New learning environment1. Speed, availability, searchability of

information2. New kinds of participatory knowledge

creation – rearrangement of expertise3. Reallocation of attention4. Importance of social networks5. Elevation of new literacies

4

New kind of learners1. More self directed and better prepared to

capture new information inputs2. More reliant on feedback and response3. More attuned to group-based knowledge4. More open to cross discipline insights,

creating their own “tagged” taxonomies5. More oriented towards people being their

own individual nodes of production

New media ecology-- Knight Commission on Information Needs of Communities

1. Quality journalism through local newspapers, local television and radio stations, and online sources

2. A local government with a committed policy on transparency

3. Citizens with effective opportunities to have their voices heard and to affect public policy

4. Ready access to information that enhances quality of life, including information provided by trusted intermediary organizations in the community on a variety of subjects

5. High speed internet available to all citizens6. Local schools with computer and high-speed internet

access, as well as curricula that support digital and media literacy

7. A vibrant public library, or other public center for information that provides digital resources and professional assistance

8. A majority of government information and services online, accessible through a central and easy to use portal

New media ecology-- Knight Commission on Information Needs of Communities

7

Revolution #1 Internet and Broadband

70% 66%

Broadband adoption by community type

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 20100%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

9%

18%21%

29%33%

46%49%

60%63%

70%

3%6%

9%

16% 18%

25%

31%

38%

46%50%

Urban Suburban Rural

% o

f pop

ulati

on

Home b-band South Dakota = 60%

Consequences for info ecosystem

Explosion of creators and niches

Networked creators among internet users• 65% are social networking site users• 55% share photos• 37% contribute rankings and ratings• 33% create content tags • 30% share personal creations • 26% post comments on sites and blogs• 15% have personal website• 15% are content remixers • 14% are bloggers• 13% use Twitter• 6% location services – 9% allow location awareness from

social media

14

Revolution #2 Wireless

Connectivity

Cell phone owners – 85% adults

Jan-05 Jul-05 Jan-06 Jul-06 Jan-07 Jul-07 Jan-08 Jul-08 Jan-09 Jul-09 Jan-10 Jul-100%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

All adults Ages 18-29 Ages 30-49 Ages 50-64 Age 65+

96% 90% 85%

58%

Urban-84% Suburban-86% Rural-77%

Mobile internet connectors – 57% adults

Feb-04 Aug-04 Feb-05 Aug-05 Feb-06 Aug-06 Feb-07 Aug-07 Feb-08 Aug-08 Feb-09 Aug-09 Feb-10 Aug-100%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

All adults Whites Blacks Hispanics

62% 59% 55%

Urban-60% Suburban-60% Rural-43%

Cell phones as connecting tools

2/22/2011 17

% of cell owners

• 64% send photo or video– Post video 25%

• 55% access social net. site• 30% watch a video • 11% have purchased a product• 11% charitable donation by text • 60% (Twitter users) access

Twitter

85% use cell phones

35% have apps

24% use apps

All adults

May 2010 and Nov 2010 surveys

1 in 4 adults use apps

56% of adults own laptops – up from 30% in 2006

44% of adults own MP3 players – up from 11% in 2005

52% of adults own DVRs – up from 3% in 2002

42% of adults own game consoles

12% of adults own e-book readers - Kindle

8% of adults own tablet computer - iPad

20

Revolution #3Social

Networking

The social networking population is more diverse than you might think

2/22/2011 21

5x

5x

7x

5x

Urban-64% Suburban-65%

Rural-49%

Why South Dakota so high?

What does this mean for learning?1) Social networks are more influential as …

Sentries

What does this mean for learning?

Evaluators

2) Social networks are more influential as …

What does this mean for learning?

Audience

3) Social networks are more influential as …

June 25, 2010 26

What does this mean for learning? 4) New literacies are required

- screen literacy - graphics and symbols - navigation literacy - connections and context literacy - skepticism - value of contemplative time - how to create content/knowledge - personal information literacy - ethical behavior in new world

“Information needs of communities” - -- Knight Commission 2009

• Attributes– Maximize the availability of relevant and credible

information– Strengthen the capacity of individuals to engage

with information– Promote individual engagement with information

and the public life of the community

Understanding a Community Information Ecosystem

Infrastructure: Media Internet Libraries

Supply: Community News and Events Quality of Life Information Government Services and

Information

Skills: Individuals’ Ability to Access

Information Individuals’ Ability to Exchange

Information Government’s Ability to

Exchange Information

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Revolution #4 Post PC, new interfaces,

better search, local awareness, social graph

30

Revolution #5 Internet of things,

big data

Thank you!Questions?