Digital Divide Overview
April 15, 2008Briefly read over this article, especially the section labeled “What is the Digital Divide,” for a fitting overview of the digital divide: http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2007/01/digging_deeperyour_guide_to_th.html.
Computers are the tools of 21st century learning, yet many families do not have access to them. Statistically, homes located in rural areas, such as upstate N.Y., (an area where some of us might teach), can not afford home computers. Nowadays all children need to be granted adequate access to computers so that they learn how to use them. Computer skills are necessary to thrive in school and in future careers. What are your thoughts on the digital divide after reading the article or based on any experiences you have had with the effects of the divide? Why is computer access essential for a child to succeed in school? How do you use computers to learn in your everyday life?
From my experience as a student in a rural school, I can see the reality of the digital divide. Many of my classmates did not have access to computers, so classes had to accomodate them by providing plenty of in-school time to work on projects that required use of computers.
Though some students will not have computers at home, it is imperative that we still familiarize our students with the newest technology in order for them to succeed once they enter the workforce. We must incorporate plenty of technology-based activities, however, while some students may have access outside of the classroom, others may not, so we must not make out-of-class work crucial.
Krystina
My thoughts on the digital divide are very similar to the ideas proposed by the article. I think it is an increasingly vital part of a students education. When I think about my own home, which lacks a broadband internet carrier, I feel like I am missing an arm or a leg when I got home for breaks. The only reason my parents are getting a high speed internet connection is because I will be home for student teaching and need it in order to keep in touch with professors and such on a daily basis. Like I said in other posts, affording the internet is a serious correlation of why some have it and why others don’t. When I read of the speech by Bush about affordable internet and a variety of carriers, I was angered. Although, I guess by now people are used to his empty promises. Why is the internet still not affordable for everyone? The fact that it is being pushed back is worrisome. I think that what Democratic FCC commissioner Michael Copps proclaims is the truth and that others need to see reality in this way as well.
“The Internet can bring life-changing opportunities to those who don’t live in large cities, but only if it is available and affordable. Even in cities and suburbs, the fact that broadband is too slow, too expensive and too poorly subscribed is a significant drag on our economy. Some experts estimate that universal broadband adoption would add $500 billion to the U.S. economy and create 1.2 million jobs.”
-Aut
I always knew the digital divide was a big problem in places of lower income and such, but before reading this article I never knew it was SUCH and issue. It really opened my eyes to the problems that could possibly come on the way of a teacher.
I think that it is so important to make sure that each and every student has a computer to use in their homes. I really don’t know what my life would be like without a computer, it is my go to for everything from news, to completing and understanding this blog. I know that the idea of each child having a computer is a bit far fetched, but like Pat has mentioned before, the power of grant writing is substantial and maybe something we should HAVe to know to become furture teachers.
I looked up the term “Digital Divide” on wikipedia, which can be found:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_divide
and basically focused on the Digital Divide in education. I know its just a wikipedia entry but I think its helpful in recognizing the problem of not having a computer as a student.
The digital divide is something that seems it should be obsolete by this time in our lives, as we have so much technology. I am really interested in learning more about this problem and how we could fix it?
-Jess
The digital divide is unfortunately a reality for many students. Like Autumn, I used to have dial up internet access until this past winter, when my parents were forced to bite the bit and get broadband so I could take an online course (and not be on the computer for centuries! No joke). Dealing with dial up is the most frustrating thing and I never got online because of it. This is what several kids still have to deal with today, which is unfortunate because it disables them from accessing basically everything the world has to offer. I like Sue Shipitalo’s quote, ““I find the issue of broadband access important in so many ways, the unequality of accessing basic information,” she said via email. “Those who have high speed access can’t imagine living without it. For me when I hear ‘go online to view the rest of this segment’ or ‘access our podcast,’ I know that those things are out of reach for me. I feel left out. My kids are left out.” And this is so true in many ways, but most importantly, students need access for educational purposes since technology is being integrated into class rooms more and more.
I use my computer every day to learn, whether it’s to inquire about news back in my home town, to blog, or to do research, it is such a huge part of my life. I couldn’t imagine life without a computer.
I knew that the digital divide existed, but I did not realize how close to home it is. After readind Krystina’s post, I was extremely shocked and surprised. I always imagined that those who did not have internet connection were those countries that were poor. From the article and after reading the posts of my peers, I have come to realze that this is a stereotype that I MUST get rid of.
I found Dr. King’s comment on the digital divide explains everything nicely. It is mind-boggling that his prediction came true almost 50 years after his said it.
After reading this article, I have realized that the digital divide is an important issue. While the “haves” are running ahead with new technology and information, the “have-nots” are straying behind. ir Computer access is essential because it opens up a whole new world for a child; they can further their education and find things that they are interested in. Personally, I think I am googling something at least twice a day. If it was not for the internet, I do not believe that I would be as interested in learning as I am.
When I looked up more information (I googled of course) I found that there is a site called the Digital Divide Network. It describes its’ self as, ” the Internet’s largest community for educators, activists, policy makers and concerned citizens working to bridge the digital divide.” The wesite is http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/
Alexis
I have to say that this article is a real eye-opener for me. Ive had the internet at home since I was pretty young and have had broadband for quite a while also.
I think that the point which Krystina made about not making out of class work on the internet crucial is a very important one. While many teachers want to integrate technology into the classroom and frequently cite that school often have available computers for after school use they also need to realize that in a highschool or junior highschool many students do not drive and have after school responsibilities which may make staying after to work on school computers a serious issue, if not impossibility. I love the idea of being able to integrate technology into lessons but also feel that when the inclusion of this technology become prohibitory to some students the teacher needs to reevaluate the structure of the lesson or assignment.
As I mentioned, I have never had this issue so I am only beginning to understand how difficult this may be for some students; when I heard that “One of the problems is redlining, when telecoms refuse to provide Internet services to rural areas or low-income areas where they won’t reap enough profits in the short term.” I was really taken back. I always assumed that in 2008 any restriction to broadband technology would be governed solely by a family’s personal choice or economic situation. I think this is a great article and the situation that they present really needs to be assessed by teachers in order to provide equality and fairness within their classroom.
-Frank-
This is so great to be having this discussion! I feel like we are already making headway in so many ways! The irony of people not being able to access government sites really angers me and also the lack of access some people have to health information, its downright criminal!
I think that this is an issue that is sometimes way too overlooked. We all say we want to include all of this amazing technology in our classrooms and do blogging on a daily basis at home but the reality of it is what do we do when the students we teach have absolutely no access to these resources? I wish I had a clear cut answer but I don’t. I think that this is something our government should be concentrating more on; giving students the technology resources they need to be up to par with every other student out there. I think that the digital divide is something that could hurt our country in the future as the world becomes more technologically advantaged and more flat. I rely on computers personally on almost any topic I am uneducated about. Just in my everyday life if I am unsure of something I google it or research on some other website. I think it’s important that everyone have that option.
Drawing from what Autumn mentioned in her Michael Copps quote, I think the government should provide a blanketing broadband connection, stronger than any one out there, and should tax us lightly for it, ridding of monthly fees. There will always be a digital divide of some sort, due to wealth differences, but we can close the gap significantly by having a national broadband connectivity.
Computer access is a necessity for all students because we live in a prefigurative culture. The kids are teaching the parents, and by having homes and schools without internet, we are essentially denying entire families rights to basic information. I use the internet to learn on a daily basis, and I have probably learned more on the internet than in school, when it comes to retention.
According to my Adolescent Psychology textbook, “The rate of technological change in a culture influences the degree to which adolescents receive teachings from adults or from each other.”
From what I’ve heard or seen about government actions concerning the internet, it seems that it simply does not take the internet seriously still.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/21/opinion/21thu3.html?ex=1361336400&en=a7a9234d3b919853&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
This is about a website called wiki leaks. It would post documents from cooperate and government organizations that showed them doing fraudulent things. They wound up posting a document that was obtained illegally. However, instead of having them take the document down, the courts ordered that the entire site be shut down. That’s a huge breech of freedom of speech, but because it’s just the internet they didn’t see a problem with it.
As far as the digital divide goes, I don’t see the government instituting any sort of national plans we begin to get people in office who understand that the internet isn’t just some kind of fad or leisure activity but is becoming an essential aspect in every persons’ life.
I, like many of you, didn’t give much thought about the digital divide. I believe that is probably because I have had the internet in my house for what feels like an eternity. But I think it raises a lot of good questions, especially ones we will be dealing with as educators. It is a central theme in the “haves and have nots” which we all encounter in the present. One thing that I was thinking about was the idea of job training via the internet. I thought about this after I read about Autumn student teaching and using her home as a work place. Is the digital divide another way to keep America’a poor down? Not only job training, but job searching. How many of us looked on the internet for upcoming summer jobs? The article states :”Plus, 59% of those with a high school education use the Internet, while 91% of college-educated folks do.” That is an amazing statistic! And I really think we need to consider this Digital Divide as a piece of a puzzle which is manufactored to keep certian people from realizing the distruction which is their current state.
Also, I found a website we might want to check out; they dicuss alot of different topics and the D/D is one of them, http://www.familycare.org/whatwedo/computer.htm
It really is amazing when I sit and think about how many different ways technology provides a widespread opportunities in all aspects of my life which would include communication and social networking, research, job searches and those are only a few. I think this digital divide deserves more attention and support than it has. In terms of the economy, if expanding the nation’s broadband would provide thousands of new jobs for citizens why has our governemnt not made this a priority. Just as Jessica described, I honestly had no idea how limiting this digital divide was for the people living on the lower end of it. It is interesting how the internet provides an advantage for only those who can afford it while those left out of our digital world become ignored.
I can’t even begin to imagine the true damage this has done for students without internet access. Our current society continues to make strides toward greater technology while so many people may not have even been exposed to computers. This article just highlights the harsh reality of society’s cut throat culture where those impower do not try and think in the mind of underpriveleged, but rather how they can continute to advanced from an elite standpoint. One would think our country would be on top of trying to match the rest of the world’s broadband in order to advance as a nation. It incredibly discouraging to read things like this, as a future teacher, because using the internet in the classroom is going to be incredibly subjective.
I believe that the digital divide is sadly a reality. The fact that this exists in this country is a huge problem. There needs to be something done by the government in attempts to bridge this gay, especially for the purposes of education. This divdie makes it hard for less fortunate people to receive an equal opportunity for work or education. The digitaldivide.org is a very interesting website that takes a deeper look at the digital divide and its counterparts.
It is important for students to have access to technology in order to move foward in their education and to gain a secure job in the future. Technology is becoming overpowering, and is taking over many aspects of the classroom. It is important that we do everything we can in order to give all students these opportunities.
I agree with Frank that “redlining” is completely shocking and wrong. Then I found this article on this website: http://www.broadbandinfo.com/news/rural-broadband-indiana.html
It explained some of the redlining done by Verizon saying, “although the more affluent residents of Fort Worth have accused Verizon of reverse redlining, there is a simple political reason why it is not feasible for Verizon to build fiber-optic cabling to Sycamore Hills. One of the biggest roadblocks is related to the fact that past telephone service regulation has created a patchwork of telephone exchanges that regulate which areas a telephone company can or cannot serve.” I think this information just shows how very complicated the digital divide has become.
I use the internet everyday to find all kinds of information. I think that students without it are at a severe disadvantage. While we cannot change every situation, we can work our hardest to make small changes. As the article shows, “Speed Matters” and “One Laptop per Child” are some programs that are attempting to make changes.
Stacia