Technology has become a part of everyday life for many people world-wide.

However, there are still people who have limited or no access to technologies that are now highly integrated into our societies, homes, and classrooms.

How do we bridge the gap for those people so that the digital divide does not continue to widen, enhancing the issue of digital inequality?

Digital divide occurs through the unequal access to computers and technology. The digital divide is the gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not, the "have's" and "have not's."

Many people have access to developing technologies and are able to utilize those technologies in their everyday life. However, some people are left in the digital dark, without access to these technologies.

While the terms "digital divide" and "digital inequality" may seem similar, they are different.

People with access to technology benefit from the information accessed through it. Those who begin at a disadvantage on the "have not" side of the digital divide are unable to obtain that information and therefore cannot benefit from it.

Digital inequality is the effect of the digital divide. It is the inequality that results as the gap widens because some people are able to benefit from information technology while others lack access and therefore do not have the same benefits.

So who makes up the majority of people on the unplugged side of the Digital Divide?

"Reports have documented the presence of an Internet “digital divide”, i.e. inequalities in access to and use of the medium, with lower levels of connectivity among women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with lower incomes, rural residents and less educated people." (Hargittai, p. 4-5)

People who do not have access to relevant technologies may continue to be at a disadvantage because they lose out on the opportunity to gain valuable experience and training in the use of those technologies.

As technology is integrated into society, using appropriate technologies becomes a standard in the workplace and the community. As technology takes over many of our processes and information platforms, the digital divide gap widens for those without access.

While the digital divide and digital inequality are occurring world-wide, they are also happening in our backyard. There are elements of digital divide and inequality in our communities and schools.

I work at a private school in Phoenix, Arizona. The following slides explain issues relating to the digital divide that I have observed in my school and community.

While most of the students at my school have access to some technology at home, the reliability and ability to use home-based technology varies.

Home access for students often depends on the parent's level of use. Even in a technology saturated society, some people do not have updated technology in their home. If they do, some do not have the skills to use their technology, much less help their children use it.

Also, our school has a wide range of income levels. While the majority of students have access to technology at home, some are not as fortunate.

When students do not have access at home, a good solution is to give them extended access at school. After school computer lab hours can be provided for students to work on homework.

Integrating technology into the classroom allows students to practice using technology so that they can utilize any technologies that are available in the home.

Another way students can gain access to technology outside of school is through public libraries, community centers, and other public places that provide technology access. Providing students with a list of public technology access in your community is a great way to help bridge the gap for students who do not have access to technology at home.

While my school is very supportive of technology and incorporating it into the classroom, some teachers are hesitant to utilize it. Teachers need training on how to use technology in the classroom. Until teachers have adequate training on how to use the technology that is available, simply putting it in the classroom will not truly give students access to it.

Teacher trainings are a great solution to unutilized technology. Empowering teachers to use technology in their classrooms will help bridge the digital divide as more students gain access to technology regardless of external factors.

Creating an environment of support for teachers is incredibly valuable. A great way to accomplish this is to establish technology mentor teachers to assist those teachers who need more help with integrating technology. Knowing that there is someone to help will allow hesitant teachers to try technology tools that may otherwise intimidate them.

While my school strives to give students access to technology, it is limited by the strict internet filter. Students are able to use technology, but are limited in its scope because they cannot access many websites.

Part of bridging the gap of digital inequality is providing access to information through technology. If that information is blocked, the impact of providing access to the technology is lessened.

Using a black-list internet filter instead of a white-list internet filter will give students access to more websites. Allowing more access to the internet will help students utilize the information that is available through technology.

Whether or not a black-list internet filter is an option, teaching students searching techniques to find the best results is important. Students need strategies to find reliable information on the ever-growing internet.

If a black-list internet filter is not an option, planning ahead and requesting specific sites be opened an alternative. It takes significantly more time when planning lessons, but it is important that we provide students with a variety of information.

As students benefit from the internet, we begin to close the digital divide.

The AECT Code of Professional Ethics Section 1, principles 3 relates to the issue of the digital divide and digital inequality.

Section 1, principle 3 states that "In fulfilling obligations to the individual, the member: Shall guarantee to each individual the opportunity to participate in any appropriate program." The digital divide prevents some people from participating in some programs that are available through the internet. By providing technology solutions in schools and classrooms, we are providing opportunities for the ability of present and future participation for our students.

The digital divide and digital inequality are issues world-wide. As we continue to work to close the digital divide in our classrooms, we become part of the solution. We may not be able to take broadband service to remote parts of the world, but we can give students in our classes access to powerful tools that will help their future.

The gap is there, it exists. We can begin to bridge the gap by pursuing digital equality in our classroom.

Code of Professional Ethics, http://aect.site-ym.com/members/group_content_view.asp?group=91131&id=30996...

DiMaggio, P., & Hargittai, E. (2001). From the 'digital divide' to 'digital inequality:'
Studying Internet use as penetration increases.
Princeton University Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies, Working Paper Series number, 15.
Retrieved from http://www.princeton.edu/~artspol/workpap/WP15 - DiMaggio+Hargittai.pdf

Emerging Learning Technologies/Digital Divide (Wikibooks)
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Web_2.0_and_Emerging_Learning_Technologies/Dig...

Hargittai, E. (2003). The digital divide and what to do about it. New Economy Handbook, 821-839.
Retrieved from http://www.eszter.com/research/pubs/hargittai-digitaldivide.pdf