I learned how to make the Sakura Star through the use of the book BOS Convention 2016 Autumn by The British Origami Society. To begin, I spent some time looking over the materials needed: a pencil, a ruler, scissors, and paper. Upon viewing this book, I was able to use both the written instructions and pictorial steps to make this piece of art. This book includes tinted and clear diagrams, photos of the final product-the Sakura Star, and the starting size of the paper used. First I spent a few minutes reading and analyzing the written steps and diagrams. I then began my attempt to perform the folds listed by repeatedly looking back and forth between my piece and the instructions. It was very difficult to find a printed source with the directions on how to make the Sakura Star and create it through interpreting the instructions from the book. I am sure that it would be much easier making this type of origami using Youtube or Pinterest. Overall, it took me two hours to make this piece since I spent a large amount of time in the beginning trying to make the pentagon twist into a “pinwheel.”

One must have access to digital technologies to participate in digital culture because it is the main “bridge” to this world. The basis of our digital culture is the Internet, primarily social media. Without this connection to others it would be extremely difficult for us to interact in such an easy and instantaneous way. Furthermore, some digital cultures are only available on certain platforms and one must have access to this medium to be immersed in it. In order to experience this culture, a person would need to purchase or gain admission to this application.

Without access to or knowledge of digital literacy and the use of technology, due to one’s culture, income, location, or education, there is an evident divide in the digital world. This idea is built upon the theories about why there is a digital divide mentioned in the article: “Communities, Cultural Capital, and Digital Inclusion” by Viviana Rojas as discussed in class. It can be speculated that there is a digital divide when specific digital cultures can only be accessed by certain products purchased by consumers. For instance, people who buy the Iphone 7 may have access to a particular game. There is a divide in digital culture when a limited group of people have admission to this application. Besides the digital divide in devices, some societies may have a different way of life that may not include involvement in technology. As a result, some cultures are more engaged in the digital world than others, producing a divide online. Additionally, due to the finances of one’s family, some people may not have access to electronics and social media, disconnecting them from the online community. Moreover, the location that a person resides in may significantly affect their involvement in the progression of online culture. Furthermore, the digital education provided to each generation can create a huge divide on the web. This is evident because as time goes on, one can be taught different aspects of the digital world, initiating a separation in the realm of the online community. Everyone who participates online will have a distinct and divergent experience. This is due to a person’s technology investments, the culture they were raised in, their income level, their environment, and the information and experience they were provided with throughout their education.

Rojas V., Straubhaar J., Spence J., Roychowdhury D., Okur O., Pinon J., Fuentes-Bautista M.. Communities, Cultural Capital, and Digital Inclusion. Retrieved from https://blackboard.iit.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-547419-dt-content-rid-5066922_1/courses/X9102019.201810/technopolis2015-05-19-131522.pdf