http://www.edutopia.org/blog/digital-divide-technology-internet-access-mary-beth-hertz
This article discusses how the definition of digital divide
has changed in the last ten years. Ten years ago it was defined simply as those
who do not have access to technology. Now that definition has changed. It’s not
so much that people do not have access to technology, it’s that they don’t have
access to the same type of technology. When looking at how people access the
internet, it can be accessed in many ways. You can use your cell phone, a game
console, a laptop, etc. However, the article mentioned that even though you can
access the internet through a game console, you can’t update a resume with it.
The divide then becomes a new thing: “This creates an
entertainment vs. empowerment divide.”
The author states that your socio and
economic status affect where you are in this divide. Studies have shown that rural
households and those with disabilities are also trending as those who are
having issues with “empowerment” access. There will always be demographics that do not
receive this access for a variety of reasons. The issue now is how do you
provide for them?
Solutions to better access are varied. The
article listed a specific solution from an internet providing company. Comcast
has introduced an “Internet Essentials” package for families that get free
school lunches. This is a program that has to be applied for by a certain date
and you must qualify. Families have the possibility of receiving 6 months of
free internet access. After that, payments become around $10 a month plus tax.
To help the rural families, the article discusses that the infrastructure must
change to allow access. The author also states that the internet can become
mobile, much like a library book-mobile.
I do think this article is interesting as
it doesn’t just talk about access, but appropriate and helpful access. As
teachers, we can come up with creative ways to help our students. Like we discussed,
it’s differentiating instruction according to the needs of the child. You can’t
punish a child because they do not have the right material to complete the
task. I am curious to see how this divide trends in another 10 years.
Very interesting, Jessica! I love the wording of "empowerment vs. entertainment." I have never thought about technology in those ways. When thinking of my own classroom and the demographics...it hits the nail on the head. No matter the socioeconomic status of my students, they all have access to gaming entertainment. I think of those same students, and many do not have access to internet or word processing at hope. It will be interesting how society tries to bridge the gap.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like no matter what people do, the divide between socio-economic classes continues to pose problems for schools. As a rural school, the only way we were able to go 1:1 was due to an inheritance gifted by someone who lived in town. When my school first went 1:1, there was a huge discussion about what to do with the students who do not have internet access, and who do not have technological support at home. We have had to do major upgrades to our network, and allow students to have time to work on online assignments at school. If schools do not have the ability to help their students, the types of technology, and how information is accessed with continue to be an issue between the haves, and the have nots.
ReplyDeleteI thought this article was very interesting! It is amazing to think just how fast and how much technology has changed in the last ten years! I think there is always the ongoing discussion of what to do with those students who do not have a device or access and I don't really see this conversation going away. I think there will always be something that will divide people from one another, but it is interesting to think how it might change ten years from now.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if we are in a current sweet spot with digital access. Meaning ... are we at the point where it's as good as it's going to get? I look at the economy and see economic strain ahead. All around central Illinois we have rural dwellers with limited or no Internet access. As families assess their expenses will home access decline? Fortunately our schools continue to improve the connection options. Perhaps this ability to connect at school will allow more people to go offline at home. As an egocentric culture we struggle to empathize with people having different problems than our own. City dwellers have had better Internet access for longer than rural residents. Since the problem of connectivity does not affect them as much (except for monetary constraints) I think they assume everyone has access. Rural residents see that they can survive without the Internet and they probably assume everyone can live that way. These are differences in attitude that may not change even if the infrastructure improves.
ReplyDeleteGood article. I remember reading the book, Digital Divide, years ago. Maggie is right. Technology has evolved in the past ten years. That is why I don't think we are in a "sweet spot". I don' t think we have any idea what will be out there in the next ten years!
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