The Digital Divide
Published on Dec 12, 2016
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
The Digital Divide
- Inequality in access to information and communication technologies.
The Measuring the Information
Society Report states 4.3 Billion people aren't connected to the net and most of these people live in developing countries. According to 2013 Census, in the United States, almost a 3rd of the country has no access to the internet lead by Mississippi where over 40% of people are not connected.
Society Report states 4.3 Billion people aren't connected to the net and most of these people live in developing countries. According to 2013 Census, in the United States, almost a 3rd of the country has no access to the internet lead by Mississippi where over 40% of people are not connected.
Photo by verbeeldingskr8
Digital Inequality
- The digital inequality stemming from this divide is instituional in nature.
Like most persistent, global issues of inequality, the digital divide is perpetuated by poverty, lack of education, socio-economic hurdles, lack of infrastructure, and politics.
Photo by Backbone Campaign
What Does The Divide Look Like In My School?
- Unequal access to the internet
- Unequal access to devices
- Lack of understanding in Digital Citizenship
In my former school, most students had the internet at home, but some did not. Many did not have a device to use in our BYOD program. If students had access to the net and a device to use in the classroom, they often did not know how to use it in an academic setting appropriately. These three major problems in my school need to be addressed.
Photo by Doha Sam
Unequal Access to the Internet
- The internet should be considered a human right and made a utility.
How do we solve these probelms? Infrastructure needed for maintaining a speedy network should be the responsibility of the government. The net should remain neutral, and a basic level of network access should be made available to all people as a utility. An interesting update on the topic can be found here: http://www.cnbc.com/2015/02/26/fcc-votes-to-classify-the-internet-as-a-publ...
Photo by AFGE
Unequal Access to Devices
- Google has started to offer their Chromebook for $150. More companies need to follow suit.
Google's Chromebook has gone a long way in reducing the prices of laptops world wide. The restrictive prices of laptops was a serious hurdle for those who did not have the money to buy one. More companies need to follow suit and make access to a device even more affordable. Recently, Google and Microsoft both dropped their prices even lower: http://news.thewindowsclub.com/even-microsofts-149-laptop-hits-market-chrom...
Whether through subsidy, partnership, or grants, we need to make easier for schools to get to 1:1.
Whether through subsidy, partnership, or grants, we need to make easier for schools to get to 1:1.
Photo by Robert Scoble
Digital Citizenship
- A comprehensive digital citizenship program, like Common Sense Media, for kids kindergarten through senior year
- Monthly parent meetings
Digital Citizenship was an issue at my school. Students struggled to use devices appropriately in an academic setting. Additionally, cyber bullying and sexting were far to common an occurrence.
An often overlooked issue brought on by the Digital Divide is parents lack of familiarity with devices and appropriate "best practices" for monitoring their child's behavior online. A comprehensive program for both students and parents on how to use devices appropriately and how to act on the internet is needed. In my new district we have started monthly parent nights and have instituted the Common Sense Media curriculum starting in kindergarten.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/scope-and-sequence
An often overlooked issue brought on by the Digital Divide is parents lack of familiarity with devices and appropriate "best practices" for monitoring their child's behavior online. A comprehensive program for both students and parents on how to use devices appropriately and how to act on the internet is needed. In my new district we have started monthly parent nights and have instituted the Common Sense Media curriculum starting in kindergarten.
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/scope-and-sequence
Photo by Ludovico Cera
The Digital Divide is Everyone's Problem
- Inequality, in any form, is everyones' problem.
- Ethically, as edtech specialists, we need to be able to address the needs of our students.
Digital Inequality brought on by the Divide can be seen as an important issue when looking at AECT's Code of Professional Ethics. Nearly every section and standard hinges on a student's ability to access the internet with a device and act appropriately. The standard that stands out most to me is: 3. Shall guarantee to each individual the opportunity to participate in any appropriate program.
Technology and information are more important to success than ever. Recently the U.S. Department of State said, "The Internet is becoming an essential job-search tool. Understanding
how it works and its advantages and disadvantages will be helpful to the job
seeker."
We need to do our best to close the divide in our classrooms, so all learners can be successful.
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/2094.pdf
Technology and information are more important to success than ever. Recently the U.S. Department of State said, "The Internet is becoming an essential job-search tool. Understanding
how it works and its advantages and disadvantages will be helpful to the job
seeker."
We need to do our best to close the divide in our classrooms, so all learners can be successful.
http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/2094.pdf
Photo by nickfyson
