May 2024 Digital Society Paper 2 Analysis
The May 2024 Paper 2 presented a highly topical case study centered on Street View Imagery (SVI) and its associated geospatial technologies. This paper evaluated candidates' grasp of the 3Cs (Content, Contexts, and Concepts) using Google Street View as a unifying anchor. Across the 24 available marks, the paper maintained a balanced but challenging profile, demanding sharp critical analysis and structured synthesis under a tight 75-minute window.
Where the Marks Are Won and Lost
The marks were distributed across four distinct tasks, ascending in both mark value and cognitive demand:
- Question 1 (2 marks): A direct recall question requiring candidates to identify characteristics of GPS from Source A. Success here relied on clear technical vocabulary (e.g., trilateration, satellite networks, timestamping).
- Question 2 (4 marks): Focused on reasons for limited SVI coverage. This tested candidates' ability to relate technical issues to socioeconomic and geopolitical realities.
- Question 3 (6 marks): A comparative task where candidates had to analyze the impacts and implications of SVI using Sources C and D. Marks here were won by structuring clear, explicit comparisons using comparative language (e.g., "whereas", "conversely").
- Question 4 (12 marks): The high-stakes synthetic essay. The highest band marks were reserved for candidates who could seamlessly blend their own knowledge with the provided sources to weigh opportunities against dilemmas.
Examiner Pitfalls & Misconceptions
A critical pitfall highlighted by examiners is the misconception that SVI represents real-time surveillance. Many candidates wrote responses assuming that Google Street View is a live feed, which fundamentally undermined their arguments about privacy and security. SVI is asynchronous; it records static, timestamped snapshots of a specific moment. Additionally, in the final 12-mark essay, weaker candidates fell into the trap of analyzing each source sequentially (Source A, then Source B, etc.) instead of synthesizing them thematically under concepts like power, space, or digital divide.
Strategic Advice for Upcoming Sessions
To excel in Paper 2, students should master the art of thematic synthesis. Do not treat the source booklet as a checklist; instead, use it to spark broader arguments. When discussing technical content like AI or GPS, ensure you can link it directly to a concept (e.g., values and ethics, identity) and a context (e.g., social, economic, political). Practice writing comparative paragraphs with clear transitions, and always define technical terms precisely.
Future Predictions
Given the heavy focus on geospatial technology and privacy in this session, future sessions are highly likely to swing back toward issues of expression, media manipulation, and political contexts—particularly around generative AI, algorithmically driven feeds, and deepfakes. Students should ensure they are comfortable analyzing how automated algorithms impact human knowledge and social cohesion.