International Conference on the Humanities (ICH)
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Item Role of Inculcative Multimedia in Narrowing the Digital Divide(University of Kelaniya, 2015) Pathiratne, S.This study explores the assertion that the development of inculcative multimedia has a key role to play in efficaciously reducing the impacts of the digital divide particularly in the context of developing nations. This assertion is predicated on the premise that the ecumenical diffusion of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) should not be guided by a technologically deterministic approach but situated in the context of a felicitous development and critical theory of technology methodology, which takes into account a comprehensive range of gregarious, cultural, political and economic enabling factors. Such an approach is a feature of a gregarious and community informatics framework.Within this context, facilitating the expansion of electronic literacy, culturally appropriate online content and interfaces through the development of Inculcative multimedia can assist the process of social inclusion within developing countries. Before examining the role of Inculcative multimedia in this context, the study critically analyses the conception of the digital divide and why ICTs have come to be seen as the panacea to the problems of global development.The results of the study shows the notion of the digital divide, the factors contributing to it and the solutions pertaining to it are widely contested. A technologically deterministic perspective of the digital divide proposes solutions predicated on access as defined by the physical constructs.This appears to be the authenticity of much public policy to date and haplessly appears to be exacerbating the digital divide within countries. What is required to address the digital divide is a gregarious and community informatics perspective, predicated on a critical theory of technology, which places more preponderant accentuation on broader development goals.Utilizing a gregarious and community informatics perspective, the role of inculcation and Inculcative multimedia, and in particular the issues of electronic literacy, online content and interface design, is fundamental. In a practical sense these issues can be addressed by facilitating indigenous and non-Western cultures to be actively engaged in the development of their own online content and interfaces thus withal promoting democratization of edification and diversifying the nature of online cognizance and languages.Item “Ath Waruwa” an Internet-Based Services for Senior Citizens(University of Kelaniya, 2015) Pathiratne, S.; Bandara, P.A.C.J.S.In a matter of a decade, the Internet has revolutionized the way in which people communicate, do business and socialize. Most senior citizens never used Internet accommodations in the workplace and may therefore eschew utilizing them now. Despite the benefits and advantages, it is necessary to be vigilant of threats, as Internet users are often targets of fraudulent schemes.It must be taken into account that older people differ from the younger generation in terms of both cognitive and physical abilities, making it more arduous for them to recollect usernames and passwords or to work with input contrivances such as a keyboard or mouse. The objective of the research is to develop an environment for senior citizens to efficaciously and safely utilize Internet-cognate accommodations, taking into account their cognitive and physical abilities. This longitudinal case study was conducted at a “Seth Sevana” retirement village in Mirigama, Sri Lanka, over a period of 18 months from May 2013 to October 2014. The study was undertaken in two phases: Phase 1 during 2013 and Phase 2 during 2014.From the research results it is clear that a front-end system like “AthWaruwa” is able to address the quandary of authentication and facile access to culled Internet accommodations. “AthWaruwa” makes it possible for a senior usersto access their Gmail, Skype or Facebook accounts with two clicks of a mouse, firstly to substantiate identification and secondly to select the service. Predicated upon the desiderata of the elderly, it is imperative to have an administrator on site and available to avail new users with the sundry accommodations. “AthWaruwa” made it possible for the participants to be authenticated with minimal activity on their side. By using facial recognition, combined with a user-friendly, front-end system, a group of senior citizens, mostly over 70 years old, have productively used email, search engines and online social networking. But once logged into a service like Gmail for example, it was noticed that that the users struggle to type an email message. Thus future plans include making use of voice recognition to assist senior citizens to compose their email messages faster and with less physical activity on the keyboard.Item Protecting Folklore Using the Intellectual Property Act of Sri Lanka(University of Kelaniya, 2015) Bandara, T.A.C.J.S.; Pathiratne, S.Folklore has been defined as a living phenomenon “which evolves over time”: a basic element of our culture which reflects human culture. As it reflects human spirit it is also a vignette to a community’s cultural and social identity. The Cambridge International Dictionary of English language defines folklore as traditional stories and the culture of a group of people. It is one single all embracing definition. However,folkloreof every ethnic group is its identity. Folklore is actually a compendium of the genius of mankind and artistic nature. NIPO defines folklore in an Act,highlighting “access”- meaninggathering, procurement,revelation, possession or use of traditional knowledge for scientific commercial or industrial purposes. However, many developing countries complain about the loss of copyright and patent to the developed world who exploit the traditional knowledge and folklore of these countries unauthorized. Sri Lankan indigenous motifs are used to sell everything from bangles, rings, honey, flower buckets, and necklaces. Indigenous art has been reproduced and used in advertising and marketing. Thus we observethese local designs often in new contexts. The intention of this study, therefore, is to examine the existing framework of the protection of folklore in the context of intellectual property rights, particular from the perspective of the Sri Lankan experience.