Maps/Locative Media and Corporate Social Responsibility

Every week reveals new possibilities in Digital Literacy and I find it quite amazing that these technological tools have been in existence for a while now with me having no idea about them. I feel very pleased with myself for taking this course. I feel more aware, informed and better equipped to make meaningful contributions. Digital literacy seems to have limitless possibilities. I think it largely depends on the user; meaning that the tools are available and so it is up to the user and what the users’ needs are at a particular moment. Knowing this, one can manipulate them to suit whatever purpose one wants. It is also interesting that one can mash up these technologies to create another tool for a unique or combination of different purposes.

I feel that digital literacy is very useful for individuals and groups because it provides variety. With that, everyone should be able to find one tool or the other that works for them. It is worthy of note that it is very fast evolving. It is therefore very important to be constantly updated so that one can maximise the opportunities available. This week’s tools which are the map and locative media are very interesting. I have always thought of maps as having just two uses; getting directions and storing records, but I find it very interesting that apart from the fact that they are no longer only in printed form but are available on line; they can be tagged, marked or edited with so many other uses to it. Another point is the multi use of mobile phones which are increasingly making it possible to create a new kind of space from the combination of physical and virtual environments. It has indeed been a very interesting week for me.

Maps were initially available in printed form only. Technology and the Internet have changed that. Maps are now available on the net and that means that they can be accessed from any location as long as there is a connection and a device. Maps are important because they provide information which helps people to from an opinion or an impression of a place.

Maps used to be designed and labelled by cartographers and it used to be an entirely professional task. Locative media however makes it possible for anyone that is interested in using them to gain access. The internet maps provide an avenue for individuals and groups to place mark locations and add information based on their experiences or thoughts of such locations using text, pictures or audio. It provides an avenue for interaction between people themselves and these locations and also provides different styles options of mapping locations.

It increases accessibility to maps which used to be limited to libraries and could only be viewed or used with permission for a short period of time. Now you don’t need permission to view them.

It can help to change the way people perceive their environment because mapping increases people’s sense of ownership of the environment and influences the way they live. It helps to merge the physical and the virtual environment; it is convenient, timely and can be useful as a communication tool. It can also be used to give directions.

Locative media involves the use of a combination of technological tools like Global Positioning Systems, Google maps, Geographic Information system, mobile phones, lap tops and other mobile devices in physical places and locations to generate content which can be audio or visual about that location and is linked to the net. It provides a forum for generation of content, forming relationships, sharing information, getting feedback, analysing, making comparison and general social interactions

It creates the opportunity to cut across borders and combine the physical and virtual environment, creating an entirely new environment from the mix; it provides detailed information about a location which would otherwise not be immediately obvious.

Organisations adopt a strategic approach to Corporate Social Responsibility partly because of its cost implication to business. In corporate social responsibility, relevant, accurate and timely information is essential for both the organisation and the stakeholders. Locative media makes this possible.
It is useful for giving instructions for directions and tracing routes, comparing between alternatives to get the most useful and timely option in getting to a destination.
It can be useful for finding activities or services. Corporate Social Responsibility has different areas and maps can be marked putting these areas in different categories which makes it easier to find.
It is easy for finding and tracking locations and addresses; it can be used to estimate distance and time from one location to another and it is also useful for getting instant information directly from source.
It makes it possible for people to become generators of content, share and exchange the information generated.
A company can make different maps of its products and services, its Corporate Social Responsibility activities, also in various categories, which makes it easier for stakeholders to find.
It gives a more detailed information which includes pictures, audio and which can also be instant, using mobile phones.
Place marks and voice messages give private opinions which may not necessarily give a true picture or give misleading information. An individual may therefore make decisions based on another person’s private experience.
It replaces physical activities and interactions among people, which has its unique benefits.
It makes people dependent on technology and it may make people lazy both mentally and physically.
It reduces the uniqueness of cartography and the professionalism attached to it.