Equity of Access: The Disproportionate Tale of Technology

What is the Digital Divide?  The digital divide refers to the socioeconomic and racial technology gap.  Recent studies show that Caucasian and Asian Americans both have higher rates of internet and computer use than African Americans and Latinos.  The digital divide refers to the socioeconomic and racial technology gap.  Recent studies show that Caucasian and Asian Americans both have higher rates of internet and computer use than African Americans and Latinos.

The “Closing” of the Digital Divide?  There has been much debate over whether or not recent advancements in technological availability have begun to close the gap.  Upon learning of the divide many school districts rushed to attempt to fix the problem, however without fully understanding it they may have caused more harm than good.  There has been much debate over whether or not recent advancements in technological availability have begun to close the gap.  Upon learning of the divide many school districts rushed to attempt to fix the problem, however without fully understanding it they may have caused more harm than good.

Reframing the Digital Divide  The problem is not just the divide along the lines of computer availability but also how students are learning to use computers.  Students in lower income schools spend their time on computers using programs that teach them directly while students in higher income schools spend more time with creative software.  The problem is not just the divide along the lines of computer availability but also how students are learning to use computers.  Students in lower income schools spend their time on computers using programs that teach them directly while students in higher income schools spend more time with creative software.

Policies Aimed at Reducing the Digital Divide  There have been actions taken by both the Federal Government and Private Groups aimed at “deleting” the digital divide including:  Awarding tax credits to businesses who supply schools with computers  The foundation of the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund  Funding community computer centers  Encouraging IT professionals to volunteer their time  There have been actions taken by both the Federal Government and Private Groups aimed at “deleting” the digital divide including:  Awarding tax credits to businesses who supply schools with computers  The foundation of the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund  Funding community computer centers  Encouraging IT professionals to volunteer their time

The Digital Divide Internationally  The prices for internet around the world differ greatly as due the internet speeds.  This is displayed in the two slides that follow.  The prices for internet around the world differ greatly as due the internet speeds.  This is displayed in the two slides that follow.

Internet Speeds Part 1

Internet Speeds Part 2

Universal Access: More than Just Technological Availability  Access does not just refer to being able to find a computer to use, it also refers to the usability of the computer.  This has led to a movement that is commonly referred to as design for all which is based on the idea of making technologies easily accessible to people of all skill ranges.  Access does not just refer to being able to find a computer to use, it also refers to the usability of the computer.  This has led to a movement that is commonly referred to as design for all which is based on the idea of making technologies easily accessible to people of all skill ranges.

References Internet World Stats Broadband Penetration (2009). [Graph of international broadband speeds]. Average broadband speeds in mbps. Moore, M. G. & Kearsley, G.(2005). A national policy issue: The digital divide. Distance education: A systems view, Retrieved from 6b71ef1d2e752/raw OCED & ITIF Broadband Rankings (2009). [Map illustration of internet costs around the world]. Internet speeds and costs around the world: Top 20 nations in ITIF broadband rankings. Retrieved from 6b71ef1d2e752/raw Valadez, J. R. & Duran, R. (2007). Redefining the digital divide: Beyond access to computers and the internet. The High School Journal, Internet World Stats Broadband Penetration (2009). [Graph of international broadband speeds]. Average broadband speeds in mbps. Moore, M. G. & Kearsley, G.(2005). A national policy issue: The digital divide. Distance education: A systems view, Retrieved from 6b71ef1d2e752/raw OCED & ITIF Broadband Rankings (2009). [Map illustration of internet costs around the world]. Internet speeds and costs around the world: Top 20 nations in ITIF broadband rankings. Retrieved from 6b71ef1d2e752/raw Valadez, J. R. & Duran, R. (2007). Redefining the digital divide: Beyond access to computers and the internet. The High School Journal,