Digital Divide and Digital Inequality: How we can close the gap

Digital Divide and Digital Inequality::

Digital Divide and Digital Inequality: How we can close the gap.

Goals for education:

Goals for education 60 percent of the population: two-year or four-year degree by 2020 All students are prepared to succeed in college or in their careers.

Definition: Digital divide:

Definition: Digital divide “The gap between those who have access to digital technologies and those who do not; or the gap between those who use digital technologies and those who do not” (Hargittai, 2003). Primarily concerned with hardware access (Barzilai-Nahon, 2006).

Definition: digital inequality:

Definition: digital inequality “A refined understanding of the digital divide that emphasizes a spectrum of inequality across segments of the population depending on differences along several dimensions of technological access and use” (Hargittai, 2003). Aspects on individual level: Technical structure Autonomy of use Social support network Experience Skills (DiMaggio & Hargittai, 2001)

Definition: digital inequality:

Definition: digital inequality Other aspects to consider: Affordability Social/governmental constraints and supports Sociodemographic factors ( Barzilai-Nahon , 2006).

Slide 6:

Install computers in all public libraries in the state and expand the hours when the computers are available . Expand staffing and other resources so that public schools can be open to the public after normal school hours, on weekends, and during the summer months . Provide individuals in disadvantaged communities with computers . Provide high-speed Internet and mobile access for all state residents. Addressing digital inequalities

Addressing digital inequalities:

Addressing digital inequalities Subsidize Internet Service Providers to provide low-cost Internet to all state residents. Provide information literacy courses to enhance computer skills and enable knowledgeable use of digital technologies. Develop free online educational content, giving first priority to content most relevant to lower socio-economic groups before content that is relevant to the rest of the public.

Alternative Solutions: Research and development:

Alternative Solutions: Research and development Research all issues concerning digital inequalities and not just access to computers. Investigate a variety of solutions for digital inequality; documenting is not enough! Determine how the use of technology is related to and will aid in arriving at the desired outcomes. Analyze how institutional factors affect Internet and computer use among people. ( DiMaggio, P., & Hargittai, E. , 2001)

Alternative solutions:

Alternative solutions Develop and encourage more networks online so that people with common interests can work together. Assist each person in finding a purpose for using the computer and begin there. Continue investing and funding research and development, technical solutions, and training for communities, including problems indirectly related to Internet access (ie. Telecommunications and ISPs in rural areas). Consider sociodemographic factors and find ways of including people who share different beliefs, such as the limited use of technology.

What more do you want?:

What more do you want?

References:

Barzilai-Nahon, K. (2006). Gaps and bits: Conceptualizing measurements for digital divide/s. The Information Society , 22 (5), 269-278. Retrieved from http://uwnews.washington.edu/ni/relatedcontent/2006/October/rc_parent ID27342_thisID27365.pdf Children and families are key users of the web. [Photograph] (n.d.). Retrieved from http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/49892000/jpg/_49892813_49892812.jpg Classroom Clipart (2007). Computer Network [Photograph]. Retrieved from http ://classroomclipart.com/images/gallery/Clipart/Animated_Clipart/Com puters/Technology_1 2.jpg Closing the Achievement Gap. [Photograph] (n.d.). Retrieved from http://recohio.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/achievement_gap.1111 91740_std.jpg Converge Staff (2009). Connect [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://media.convergemag.com/images/cv_2009.07.21+-+STEM+-+access.jpg 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/~arts...gittai.pdf References

References:

References Hargittai, E. (2003). The digital divide and what to do about it. New Economy Handbook , 821-839. Retrieved from http://www.eszter.com/research...divide.pdf Robinson, K. (n.d.). E2020 Logo [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://teachers.schooldesk.net/content/1/16/290/my%20files/education2020logo. jpg Towne, J. (n.d.). Notebook Computer [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.jeffscomputerservicecs.com/images/notebook-computer.jpg U.S. Department of Education (2010). Transforming American Education Learning Powered by Technology: Executive Summary of the National Education Technology Plan 2010 . Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/netp2010- execsumm.pdf Wagner, J. (n.d.). I’m out of bed and made it to the keyboard. What more do you want? [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pGltdo3Is78/S0H8r1BdpZI/AAAAAAAAAGY/86hw aLXw_lU/S760/OldWomanAndComputerJoke.jpg