Monday, June 9, 2008
The Digital Divide
Access to technology is a serious challenge for students and education. Technology skills are developed through instruction, experience and practice. If students do not have access to technology, then they will be a disadvantage in school and in the marketplace. Technology community centers are one way to bring technology to under-served areas. A community center brings not only hardware and software, but also opportunites to learn and gain technological experience. I would be very interested in more recent studies of the technological divide. My school has a 70% free and reduced lunch rate and it seems that more and more of our studnets have access to technology at home.
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3 comments:
Take a peek at Amy's blog...it is true to that here in the Valley things are trickling down but what about more rural/remote areas (where things like distance education can really make an impact)? Also, there's an issue beyond simple access...in some ways the divide is not so much about having technology but the ability use and manipulate it. How do we narrow the knowledge gap?
I find that many families are unaware of the resources available to them. As educators, it is necessary to research and locate what resources are available and communicate that to the families in our community. Even thought more and more families have computers, there are still a large number that would find use out of free services.
I agree there is an issue with how to manipulate and use the technology, but that's where we come in. It is our job to teach our students how to use it and hopefully that is something they can teach their families.
I agree that many families are unaware of the resources available to them, but even more concerning is a lack of interest. A lack of interest from certain cultures, socioeconomic groups, rural populations, etc. could have a significant impact in the future. If someone is not interested in technology, in a way it puts them at a disadvantage in our current society, in terms of education and professionally. We can work towards greater access to technology, but if we do not address the issue of INTEREST in technology, access won't make a difference.
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