Yes, there is still a digital divide. Research shows that many more white children use the Internet than do Hispanic and black students, a reminder that going online is hardly a way of life for everyone. Therefore, this creates incredible barriers for minorities. Also, a lack of technology doesn't prepare students for a world in which they're going to be expected to know how to do these things. Furthermore, research indicates that overall, 91 percent of students in nursery school through 12th grade use computers; 59 percent use the Internet. Within those numbers, the digital divide between groups is a national concern. Lastly, studies have shown that access and ability to use the Internet help improve people's learning, job prospects and daily living. However, the numbers are improving. But there is still a gap, and we need to find a way to address it.
Technology has been heralded as a critical learning tool and as a potential source of equity and increased civic participation for groups and individuals that have not had equal access to learning and economic opportunities. There are efforts to continue to close the digital divide and to increase access to computers, the Internet, and technology. However, technology is rarely used effectively in school settings. Also, there is some focus on encouraging girls to pursue careers in science and technology. In addition, we need to support continued research in those areas of science and technology, including understanding how culture and identity interact with learning technologies, and understanding the way that technologies interact with the learning process. Moreover, there is another three ways to close the digital gap. (1) Increase access to technology which will enable learning beyond the classroom. (2) Ongoing teacher training which will assure educators have the skills and knowledge for effective computer technology teaching. (3) Accessibility for the disabled which increases the independence of people with disabilities and technology and can level the playing filed with the non-disabled.
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Tadara,
You've made a good point about a current focus on encouraging females to pursue careers in science and technology. In one of the research articles I read for Module 8, a study was conducted comparing attitudes toward computers among boys vs. girls. High school male attitudes were considerably more positive concerning use of computers in completing assignments when compared to female high school students. This can be traced back to elementary schools where, unconsciously, many teachers tend to encourage boys to develop computer skills more to keep them "busy and out of mischief." Inadvertently girls do not have equal access to the technology and, therefore, develop a negative attitude. In one school in which I sub, the 5th grade teachers did an experimental study by assigning all the girls to the female teacher and all the boys to the male teacher. The girls flourished in this atmosphere, especially in math, science, and computer skills. The boys, however, did not fare as well, due to increased behavior problems. I thought this was interesting in light of your comments.
I also see much evidence that the digital divide exists along racial and ethic lines. Language barriers also create a very real problem. I also agree that more brain-based research needs to be done on how children learn. In the last 15 years, the theories I learned in college have pretty much been "tossed in the garbage" in light of new findings. Once we know how children learn, scientists can ascertain how technology can best assist that learning.
Linda
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