An Overview Of The Digital Divide

An Overview Of The Digital Divide This essay defines and addresses the substance of the digital divide providing evidence to support its existence in the United States. It analyzes findings from various research reports and eccentric studies identifying factors that cause the divide. The digital divide is a applied science crevice between the haves and the have-nots. As a gist of these gaps, 21st century learners will f both further behind and will not be equal to(p) to reap the full benefits of our fast-growing engineering driven society. The digital divide is the technology gap between plenty with gate appearance to digital and training technology and those with particular(a) or no advance (NTIS, 1998). The digital divide is often referred to as the technology gap between the haves and the have-nots. There are many factors that interdict student access to computers and the internet. There is a digital divide among computer and internet access by race, income, education and location, as well as physical disabilities (Fourie Bothma, 2006). Research shows that Caucasian Americans access to digital and information technology at 46.1% nearly doubles that of African Americans at 23.5% and Hispanic Americans at 23.6%. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders exceed all racial/ethnic groups at 56.8% (Athena Alliance, 2001). Minority groups are at a hurt when it comes to having access to computers and the internet but it is not because they are minorities. Their limited access is because they are at a socio-economic disadvantage due to lower education levels and poorer incomes (Solomon, 2002). The technology gap by race seems to be closing significantly. This is due to the availability of computers and internet access at schools, libraries and community centers. Yet, there is still a technology gap in low-income and countrified communities. Socio-economic factors play a major role in the technology gap between students. Poverty remains a major factor tha t limits students access to technology. Only 35% of households in lower socio-economic groups have internet access while 59% of substance income groups, 73% of upper middle income groups, and 83% of those in top income groups have access to the internet (Gartner Group, 2000). Now more than ever, unequal bankers acceptance of technology excludes many from reaping the fruits of the economy. Sectors of the population are excluded from the power and the economical benefits offered (Fourie Bothma, 2006). Divisions among the population are not further due to income but also location. There is a digital divide by geographical location. For students in high-poverty and countryfied areas, libraries can be the only way to get online (Barack, 2005). A digital divide separates countrified America from the rest of the nation when it comes to broadband internet use and access. Only 24% of adults in rural America have high-speed internet access, compared to 38% of urban Americans and 40% of suburban Americans who have access (Perkins, 2006). Efforts are being made by the government and the private sector to increase connectivity in rural America. People with disabilities face a significant digital divide as well. Despite regular increases, two metro and non-metro people with disabilities have lower rates of internet use than their geographic counterparts with no deterrent (Dobransky, 2006). Surveys consistently report that people with disabilities have only half the rate of internet access of people without a disability (RTC, 2006). Obstacles that Americans with disabilities face include how costly adapted hardware and software can be, limited locations for internet access, workplace internet access maybe unavailable because of unemployment, and internet content may be frustrating because sites are not accessible to people using assistive technology (NTIS, 2000). Educators at all levels must keep up with the digital world inhabited by a new pillowcase of learner wh ose worldview is often developed by surfing the web, instant-messaging, and online activities same video games or social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace (Menard, 2008). To level the playing field for these 21st century learners or digital natives, we must bridge the technology gap that exists among these students by racial/ethnic, socio-economic, educational and geographical factors, as well as limited handiness due to physical disabilities. According to Menard (2008), todays young people were born into the network era and face a life saturated by digital media. Their interaction with technology will deeply affect the way these learners interact with their environment. To be successful in todays technology driven society, students must have equal access to computers and information technology. ReferencesBarack, L. (2005). Gauging the digital divide. School Library Journal, 51(8), 21. Retrieved sniffy 12, 2009, from Research Library. (Document ID 882387801).Dobranksky , K. Hargittai, E. (2006). The disability divide in Internet access and use. Information, Communication Society, 9, 3, 313-334.Fourie, I. Bothma, T. (2006). Addressing the digital divide in teaching information retrieval A theoretic view on taking students from ICT access to knowledge sharing. The Electronic Library, 24(4), 469-489. Retrieved August 12, 2009, from Research Library. (Document ID 1142659581).Gartner Group (2000). The digital divide and American society. Available http//www.3gartner.comMenard, J. (2008). Higher ed responds to the digital generation. The New England Journal of Higher Education, 23(1), 13. Retrieved August 12, 2009, from ProQuest Education Journals. (Document ID 1529959711).NTIA (1998). falling through the net Defining the digital divide. NTIA No. PB99156614 Available http//www.ntia.doc.gov/NTIA (2000). Falling through the net Toward digital inclusion. A report on Americans access to technology tools. NTIA No. PB99144487. Available http//www.ntia.d oc.gov/NTIA (2000). Falling through the net A survey of the have nots in rural and urban America. Availablehttp//www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/net2/falling.htmlPerkins, B. (2006). situation spawned digital divide can cost you. Realty Times. Available http//realtytimes.comRTC (2006). Disability and the Digital Divide comparison Surveys with Disability Data. Available http//rtc.ruralinstitute.umt.eduSolomon, G. (2002). Digital equity. Its not just about access anymore. Technology Learning, 22(9), 18-26. Retrieved August 12, 2009, from ProQuest Computing. (Document ID 115857641).