Getting Past the "Digital Divide"

Article Author name(s): Sean McCollum
Title of article: Getting Past the “Digital Divide”
Title of journal: Teaching Tolerance
Volume of the journal: Spring 2011
Issue number of the journal: 39
Intended audience: Everyone

http://www.tolerance.org/magazine/number-39-spring-2011/getting-past-digital-divide

Key Points: When teacher Aaron Fowles inherited his classroom he had 4 outdated computers, two that didn’t even work. Although not a tech savvy guy, buy years end he had updated and restored 8 computers for his room alone, and an additional 16 computers for other classrooms. Since 2009, the government has set aside billions of dollars to ensure that technology reaches the classroom. A significant 97% of all US classrooms have computers, 93% with internet access. However, two issues arrive: 1) that these computers are often non-functioning and out of date and 2) many students do not have private access to technology and home. With no computer at home, student’s technology access is limited to what time can be squeezed in during class time. With 30 students in the class, this time is likely to be very minimal. With some kids getting significant access to computers and others getting very little, a gap is being created among students within the same classes. Donated smart cell phones and other mobile devices like Kindles and iPad’s can be used to bridge the gap between students who have home access to technology and those who do not. Utilizing this technology allows students to learn on their own, research independently and have broader access to interesting materials not usually presented to students as part of the curriculum.

Relevance: Technology changes very quickly and if not appropriately addressed by teachers, IT will leave students in the dust if they are not given the basic computer skills and the opportunity to experiment with techy tools.