People who use the internet regularly are exposed to a wide variety of subjects, news, and resources which are often taken for granted. People who cannot afford a computer, or internet access, as well as those who do not know why it is valuable, run the risk of being left behind in an age of information. This disparity is the driving force behind underdeveloped nations, under-achieving students, and an under-prepared workforce. The digital divide is one that must be bridged in order to allow the world to move forward on equal footing.
In the textbook Introduction to Digital Literacy, author Mark Bowles states “It is vital to make sure that the world is not divided into a two-class society of “information-haves” and “information-have-nots.” In one important way, the effort to help people become digitally literate will ensure that this will not happen” (Bowles, 2013). Bowles takes the position that digital literacy is key to closing the digital divide. Research presented in the text also indicates that people living in the United States with less than a high school education, households making less than $30,000/per year, those living with disabilities, and senior citizens are all less likely to have the internet in their homes (Bowles, 2013).
The divide as discussed in terms of the United States points out that many jobs in developed nations require computer knowledge. Computers have become rapidly, in historical terms, a vital part of everyday life. “In 1990, 22% of all homes in the United States had a personal computer. This percentage increased to 63% by 2001, and in 2004, nearly 75% of all Americans had Internet access in their homes” (Bowles, 2013). Although this number is high, it indicates that 25% of Americans do not hav...
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...required to use a computer and take the steps required to have access to one. Simply giving everyone on the world a computer and internet will not bridge the divide in those who simply have no interest.
References
Bowles, M. (2013). Introduction to digital literacy. Bridgepoint Education. Retrieved from http://content.ashford.edu/books/AUINF103.13.1/
File, T. (2013, May). Computer and internet use in the united states. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/p20-569.pdf
Lensfeld, J. (2011). An econometric analysis of the sociodemographic topology of the digital divide in europe. Information Society, 27(3), 141-157. doi: 10.1080/01972243.2011.566745
Paravil, G. (2005). The digital divide and increasing returns: contradictions of informational capitalism. Information Society, 21(1), 41-51. doi: 10.1080/01972240590895900
In his essay Mobile Phones, Digital Media and America’s Learning Divide, Professor S. Craig Watkins discusses the different ways that digital media affects the learning divide between middle and low-class students and also students of different races, ethnicities and cultures. Watkins’ purpose in writing this essay is to show how mobile phones are closing the learning divide as well as the digital divide. He uses facts and research that he has gathered as a member of the MacArthur Foundation’s research network on Connected Learning to back up his statements and improve his credibility as an author.
With all the technology today, the Internet is still off-limits to certain people. Everyone does not own a computer and because of this, everyone is not computer literate. Mostly middle and upper class people have their own laptops, or computers, and are able to pay for Internet service. Other people, like student's who use their schools computers or people who go to libraries, are forced to use whatever equipment is available, which is, in most cases, not top of the line and sometimes may or may not have the Internet. Soon this world will be computer-based and if you do not have your own computer or at least access to one, you will be behind. The Internet is an important part of computers considering the many uses it offers.
As this critical juncture begins to take place, there has been much debate between scholars as to whether we should be enthusiastic or wary of these new changes. In Digital Disconnect and in his lectures, McChesney observes both views in an attempt to advance the discussion. On one side, the celebrants are embracing the Internet as a medium that will change society for the better. In Digital Disconnect, McChesney says, “In sum, the celebrants reaffirm one of the most important original arguments from the 1990s, that the Internet will be a force for democracy and good worldwide, ending monopolies of information and centralized control over communication” (McChesney 8). In my opinion, this celebrant view should only be regarded as a best-case scenario because of the unexpected obstacles for society that can...
The internet has made gaining online material more accessible with fast and instant possibilities. “With a few clicks, people can search virtual catalogs, place orders, track shipments, and update information in corporate databases.” (Carr 85). With technology advancing and where it is right now it is so easy to order things that are needed the next day and have them at your doorstep. You can easily change any information in an instant as well. “The net has become essential to their work, school or social lives, and often all three.”(Carr 9). Without the internet education would not be near as advanced as it is now, jobs would be made more difficult, with having to rely on written thoughts and
The reason the digital divide continues to exist in light of the fact that access is widely available is because access is only one barrier to the web. Solving the access issue doesnÕt solve any problems that arise from users of the internet not having the necessary education to use and benefit from the information one may receive from the web, the access issue also doesnÕt address providing more user friendly computer software and web pages for those in our society that have disabilities
The Digital Divide Digital Divide is often described as the gap between those with access to technology (e.g. computers and the Internet) and those who have not. It is a social and political issue that started since the early 1990’s and is believed to have grown over the years. There is also such thing as “Global Digital Divide”, and this refer back to the gap between developed and developing countries. At present, programs such as BBC’s Computeraid try and help solve this social problem by donating computers in rural areas and helping educate people.
Technology has become humanity's new and consistent form of communication. However, along with technology, comes a well known phrase: The Digital Divide. The Digital Divide refers to the economic and social inequality with regard to access to, use of or impact of information and communication technologies. The divide appears in disparities between individuals, households, businesses or geographic areas, usually in various socioeconomic levels or other demographic categories. The Digital Divide is an ongoing issue in America and throughout the world. It shows technical diversities ranging from access to the internet and media to how technology is understood due to literacy and sometimes the age of an individual. Underdeveloped countries and elderly people are more prone to having less access to the most recent technologies because of economic status and overall understanding of how technology works. Even though it seems as if the digital divide is closing due to recent technologies, there are still some barriers that need to be addressed to get the divide a little smaller.
Since the launch of the Internet as a global communication network and the boom in communication technologies, our world has been overwhelmed by a new phenomenon – digital divide. It has gradually turned into a major, constantly growing world issue, threatening to further increase the gap between advanced and developing countries. Yet, is digital divide really an unprecedented occurrence or a natural and unavoidable trend? “Divide” is certainly a word whose meaning could be traced back to the mere dawn of human history. It goes even deeper – to human nature itself: to sex and racial differentiation, to unequal physical and mental powers, to different location and social status. During the nineteenth century, though, theory of communism tried to defy the principles of naturally existing divide. However, Marx’s utopia, which contradicted basic economic principles – of scarcity and unbounded need – was unachievable. Indeed, through the failure of the communistic experiment, which became so flagrant after the fall of the Iron Curtain, history promoted the inevitability of divide as a symbol of individual uniqueness. As to “digital”, it is just one of the many attributes of “divide” that has assumed a global meaning. Therefore, although social and economic differences will undoubtedly continue to harass society in the 21st century, the bridging of the digital gap between those in the lead and those who lag behind should be a major issue for modern civilization.
Just exactly what is “Digital Divide?” The digital divide refers to the fact that certain parts of the population have significantly better opportunities to benefit from the new economy than other parts of the population. When we discuss the usage of “computing devices”, the internet and the World Wide Web, we do not think about the individuals who lack any of these devices technology has provided the majority of population for everyday use. There is a considerable gap in the number of individuals able to access the internet and gather information, pay bills, socialize, conduct banking needs, and purchases. These are basic functions people use every day that others cannot.
Surveying the Digital Future: How the PC and Internet are changing the world. (1999, June). Los Angeles, CA: UCLA Center for Communication Policy.
The use of the Internet has exploded in the past few decades, and the age of the user is swiftly declining as well (Greenfield, Patricia, and Zheng Yan). “The spread of Internet access has been described as nine times faster than that of radio, four times faster than the personal computer, and three times faster than television” (Shields, Margie, and Behrman 5). The Internet has woven itself into people’s daily lives and has really changed culture in numerous ways. It has helped make education more accessible, especially to those in developing countries. Specifically, it has brought life saving health practices and information to those who otherwise would have gone without it. Also, children who need extra help learning, like kids with special
In summary, the Digital Divide is real and has placed a severe gap between certain groups of people in the American culture. The Land of Opportunity is not necessarily made available to all. In her CNet article, Sonia Arrison (2002), provides a unique perspective as to the reason behind the gap. “The digital divide is not a crisis, and it is certainly not the civil liberties issue of the 21st century. The real issues are the sorry state of education and the push to raise the taxes that affect lower income families most” (Arrison, 2002). Arrison states that if the Government could improve the education in the American schools and stop luxury taxes on so many services, the Digital Divide could easily be narrowed. By narrowing the divide, more families could afford Internet if so desired, and students could have access to a better education.
Imagine someone born in the early 1900’s entering a modern-day classroom. They would likely be confused as to what televisions, computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices are. It is also likely that they would be overwhelmed by the instant access to information that the internet provides. Digital media has become a large part of people’s everyday lives especially with the rise of digital media in classrooms. Digital media is growing so rapidly that people who are not adapting to this shift in culture are falling behind and becoming victims of the “digital divide”, this is leaving people misinformed. Digital media has a large effect on the way that people communicate, this is especially evident in the way that students interact with
Children today are not born with an umbilical cord, but a computer cord. Kids aren’t the way they use to be. How many times have you caught yourself thinking or saying this? Theories today believe that children form these generations are actually different, meaning their brains are different from when we were children. What can we do about it, or should we do anything at all? This paper will examine children today and the difference between the generations. Secondly, due to the difference in generations, the importance of maintaining social interaction, critical thinking and problem solving skills, which, are just as important as technical fluencies for the 21st century. In order to maintain the “humanity” skills, I will discuss the importance of Daily Physical Activity (DPA). Furthermore, the paper will also examine the importance of building a bridge between the digital divide. It is necessary to examine the educational system and the digital divide. Children are engulfed in a digital world and have different experiences and environment. How do we build a bridge between the technical fluencies and the humanity skills necessary to be successful in the 21st century?
The question people are asking themselves today is, Is digital literacy just as important as daily subjects such as reading, writing, and math for our students today? To prepare for this paper I was given three excerpts to read. Right away I was drawn to how much time we spend on the internet daily and what types of things we do while we are on the internet. I realized that today’s society is dependent on the internet for most things like doing homework, researching information, shopping, and getting on social media websites. While reading a fact sheet named Fact Sheet: Digital Literacy, “We live in an internet economy I came across interesting facts such as 96% of Americans use technology and internet at their jobs and 28% of American don’t