Digital Inequality Assignment

Digital Inequality Presentation: 

Digital Inequality Presentation By : Kim Hefty, Rashell Clarke, Tyler Zunker, and Angie Kruzich

Digital Divide vs Digital Inequality: 

Digital Divide vs Digital Inequality Digital Divide refers to the gap that exists between those who have access to technology and those who do not . Digital Inequality refers to inequalities that exists among various groups in society that affect their technology access and use. These factors are: Equipment Autonomy of Use Skills Social Support Use Pattern

Importance of Addressing Digital Inequality: 

Importance of Addressing Digital Inequality Digital inequality influences social inequality . "Washington is an information enigma. Some of the nation's leading digital-technology companies are headquartered in and around Seattle, yet vast areas of the state are starved of local news. ...In short, Washington is a digital state with a rural information ghetto." (Washington state, Seattle Times)

Scenario: : 

Scenario: We, the Digital Inequality Task Force, have been hired by the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Randy Do r n . He has been given a special allocation of $50M to address digital inequalities in the state of Washington, and he wants us, the Task Force, to consider several options.

Ideas for Addressing Digital Inequality: 

Ideas for Addressing Digital Inequality Install computers in public libraries Expand staffing and resources in public schools Provide computers to individuals in disadvantaged communities Provide high-speed Internet and mobile access to all residents Provide low-cost Internet access to all residents Provide information literacy courses to residents Develop free online educational content to the public

Alternative Ideas: 

Alternative Ideas Provide support and/or create “Internet cafes" Create mobile computer centers

#1 Recommendation: 

#1 Recommendation E xpand 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. Reasoning: According to Bernard, three factors that are vital to leveling the digital "playing field," involve addressing: Availability of the devices themselves Accessibility of the technology at hand Literacy

#2 Recommendation: 

Install computers in all public libraries in the state and expand the hours when the computers are available. Reasoning : Although this option provides the technology and expands hours so the technology is available to the public , it does not include funding for support staff to provide literacy education to those who need it. #2 Recommendation

#3 Recommendation: 

#3 Recommendation Provide high-speed Internet and mobile access for all state residents . Reasoning: This option provides the technology and accessibility but lacks funding for literacy education.

#4 Recommendation: 

Create mobile computer centers . Reasoning: This option provides the technology but lacks funding for literacy education and technology accessibility . #4 Recommendation

#5 Recommendation: 

Provide information literacy courses to enhance computer skills and enable knowledgeable use of digital technologies. Reasoning : This option only addresses one vital factor for closing the educational gap: digital literacy. #5 Recommendation

#6 Recommendation: 

#6 Recommendation Subsidize Internet Service Providers to provide low-cost Internet to all state residents. Reasoning: This option is ranked 6th because it only addresses one factor for closing the digital gap: technology accessibility.

#7 Recommendation: 

#7 Recommendation Provide individuals in disadvantaged communities with computers . Reasoning: This option is ranked 7th because it only provides the technology . It does address technology accessibility or literacy education.

#8 Recommendation: 

#8 Recommendation 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 . Reasoning: This option only addresses literacy education. However, education requires technology availability and accessibility , which the funding does not allow for.

#9 Recommendation: 

#9 Recommendation Provide support and/or create “Internet cafes” in urban and rural areas … open 24/7 at no cost to those who qualify, and minimal cost to general public who can afford. Resoning : This option is ranked last because it only addresses technology accessibility.

Conclusion: 

Conclusion As Cooper stated, “...digital technologies change society very quickly. The ability to participate and prosper in the new economy will be severely restricted if a household is cut off from technology for more than a decade” (Cooper, 2004, pg 13).

References: 

References Bernard, S. (n.d.). Crossing the Digital Divide: Bridges and Barriers to Digital Inclusion. Edutopia . Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/digital-divide-technology-access-inclusion Cooper, M. (2004). Expanding the digital divide and falling behind in broadband . Consumer Federation of America and Consumers Union, October. Retrieved from http://www.consumerfed.org/pdfs/digitaldivide.pdf 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 Kang , S. & Pamukcu, A. (2009). Digital inequality: Information poverty in the information age. The Greenlining Report , Retrieved from http ://greenlining.org/resources/pdfs/digitalinequality.pdf Washington state’s rural information ghettos. (n.d.). The Seattle Times . Retrieved July 5, 2012, from http ://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2018445689_guest18pintak.html