LOCAL HEALTHCARE AND PENSION SYSTEM IN COLOMBIA
Here in Colombia the local social insurance system is not very complex. I receive one monthly email with the information for paying. I then go and pay in specific points developed for that purpose. After paying I receive an email invoice confirmation. This payment includes health insurance and pension. The pension estimated future value can be checked in the main website of the pension service webpage.
The health care service also has a webpage where all the services that are included can be consulted and used. This includes appointments with doctors, asking questions, and receiving exams results. This also works in an App for mobile phones. I would say these services work okay. I have never had a problem using them. There are other problems in the quality of this services but more related to the quality of the health service itself and not of the digital channels for using them.
VISITING AMAZON
I went to Amazon.com to check the prices of cameras, sound interfaces, microphones and computers. All things that are bought form Amazon from Colombia are shipped from the United States. If I buy something under 400 dollars it is much cheaper than in stores here in Colombia. But if it costs more than 400 dollars, they will charge taxes and customs fees which make things much more expensive than if you buy them in a local shop. It is always good to compare prices to know how to get the cheapest offer for any product before deciding to buy form AMAZON or a local store.
SERVICE FORM MY OWN FIELD: THE ZOOM APP
I use the ZOOM app for teaching guitar lessons online. This is a very effective resource for communicating via video call with my students. Tha App allows to use high quality audio and video. I can connect HD cameras and microphones into my computer and select them in the App. The ZOOM app offers the possibility to use other Apps such as OBS to deliver multicamera broadcast. Also, it is possible to share the screen, files and use a blackboard for annotations. It is possible to make a group or seminar meeting with several participants.
Students at any age can easily use the ZOOM app as its interface is very friendly.
DIGITALIZATION AND THE DIGITAL GAP
People who do not use virtual services are in difficulties today for using effectively social and healthcare services in Colombia. Most of the appointments and services from the health care system use email and a mobile application or website for services here. Older people or people who do not use electronic devices need to ask help for these purposes.
Some information like jobs are only posted in websites and social media. If someone doesn’t use the internet it can be more complicated to search for a job or to be found by a company for example. Artists can benefit from having an online portfolio, for example to show their work and activities.
On the other hand people that don’t have access to social media in Colombia are not able to contrast information they receive from the main news outlets. Many independent media and news organizations work online. This people can be a real target for fake news and disinformaiton.
SELF-EVALUATION AND DIGITAL COMPETENCE
The Digital Competence Test gave me a general overview of my relationship with technology and with my capacities and flaws. These questions covered many aspects, some of which I considered more for an advanced level. I could also reflect on how I have been updating my knowledge of technology in the last years.
My strongest areas in the use of technology are search capabilities, digital exploration and law. This is very accurate. I have the capacity to search for everything I need efficiently on the web. I like to be updated with the latest hardware, software and digital processes related to music and in general. I am at some degree aware of the legal issues concerning digital behavior and content.
The weakest areas are automation, configuration and collaboration. I am not very aware of how some apps and devices are adjusted and just try to go the easy way. Other apps I use in my work I do know how to adjust at a high level. I also don’t have so much knowledge of how software and webpages are developed. I should really try to learn more about this. Also my own patience when encountering difficulties should be developed.
I should really take more care with cyber security and data protection. I have to go deeper and learn more about this to protect myself and the people with whom I interact online.
Self Reflection
I learned many things by creating this blog. It is important to be able to build webpages and to be able to share online with the world. In my case as a musician and teacher this has helped me a lot. I will build one on the near future. All the videos and readings were very helpful to have an insight on how can technology can help me in my profession and to think on possible developments I could carry myself with the help of Data analysis and AI.
I made comments in these 3 blogs.
David Cardenas 
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