Digital Divide

Nicole Saum Inst Tech/ Teach 259

The Digital Divide: Affecting American Students The digital divide has and will continue to affect all Americans, regardless of age, race, or economic status. This divide, this inequality, occurs in the technological world. The injustice occurs because all people do not have equal access to computers, the internet, and other new technologies. This restricts their opportunities to access information, find jobs, and use the wide variety of tools the internet has to offer. According to Dickard (2002), the digital divide is the “..the gap between those individuals and communities that have, and do not have, access to the information technologies that are transforming our lives” (p. 1). This division is due mostly to differences in economic status. Though many Americans do not feel directly affected by this issue, the fact is that America’s youth, America’s future, are not getting the training that is necessary for them to be contributing citizens in our technologically based world. If the student’s are our future, then their lack of access to technology will affect our country in the long run. The digital divide is an issue that is a deeply debated problem in our schools, where funding is not sufficient to give students access to computers and the Internet. If the students do have access in the schools, many do not have internet or computers at home so they cannot utilize the tools that they learn about. Furthermore, with many teachers using blogs and online databases to share information to parents, those without access to these sites are left out of the loop. The problem that arises is this: how do we end this divide and grant students equal access to these “transforming” technologies? It is not as easy as just placing more computers in schools, because the problem is as much home based as school based. Though many schools

have taken the initiative and have received funding which allows them to purchase laptops for their students, the digital divided is still relevant outside of the classroom. According to Jennifer Hoar of CBS (2006), “..it is undeniable that students who have gadgets at home have advantages over students who don't. They simply have more opportunities to come up with useful and creative ways to use the technology for things as diverse as researching school projects, looking for jobs, and even gaming” (p. 4). As future teachers, it becomes our responsibility to examine these issues and develop ways to equalize the playing field for our students and their families to give them the best chance to be successful in the future. One of the most important things to know as a teacher is the status of each students digital availability. I would want to know if the students have access to computers and internet, so if assigning any activities outside of the class I could be aware of whether or not they are able to do the activities. This would also give me insight into whether parents will be able to view emails or other digital information I put on my blog, etc. For parents without access I would send home printouts of pertinent information so they are always up to date on classroom events and his or her student’s progress. As it is inevitable that not all students have the funds to pay for new technologies, I would make it a mission to bring in technologies weekly to allow students access to work with the technology. This way they will be aware of the technology and its uses, and can make a personal decision about how they would like to use the technology in the future. Though they cannot all afford it, giving them the knowledge that type of software or device is out there is important. It is of utmost importance to utilize the school’s technological resources as best as possible by assigning in class work to be done via different types of sites or software. These assignments would be done in class, so students have equal opportunity to use the technology. Using technology in the classroom will give students skills of Internet exploration and discovery

which is necessary when they transfer into the work field later in life. Students must be aware of the vast knowledge and tools that are available to them and delving into these tools in class may be the only way they will see the prospects. Though I do not see an easy solution to this digital divide, I believe that the responsibility to open student eyes to technology lies in the hands of teachers. We must do best with the resources we have, show the possibilities and encourage students to explore technology via the school or public library. I do not see an end to this digital divide, but schools can be one bridge that crosses this divide.

References Dickard, N., & Schneider, D. (2002, July 1). The digital divide: Where we are. Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/digital-divide-where-we-are-today

Hoar, J. (2006, June 15). The digital divide: Competing involves more than just computing. CBS News. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/09/gentech/main1699023.shtml? tag=contentMain;contentBody