Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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
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
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
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.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/06/09/gentech/main1699023.shtml?
tag=contentMain;contentBody