The Digital Divide

1932 Words4 Pages

The Digital Divide

Abstract: This paper focuses on the “The Digital Divide” and its impact on society. It explains the different forces contributing to the gap such as social/economic status, gender and race. It also explains why and how these factors effect this social problem, and the possible solutions to closing the gap.

Everyday there are new advances in technology taking place. These advances have enabled teachers to improve their educating techniques in and out of the classroom.

Unfortunately these advances are not available in all the classrooms throughout the United States; there are certain people who are being left behind. The gap that these technologies have created is known as “The Digital Divide”. The beneficiaries of these advancements are overlooking the disadvantages these technologies have created for others. Although technology has certainly advanced our education it has created a divide between social classes, between genders, and between races. Hopefully as people become more aware of this growing gap there will be preventative measures taken in the future to create a solution to this problem.

Education is improving for those who are fortunate enough to have the most up to date technologies in schools. These technologies expand the boundaries of the classroom, and offer many opportunities to both teachers and students alike. New Internet programs allow for both face to face interaction and virtual interaction as well. Studies have shown that there has been increased performance on standardized tests. Software that concerns reading and writing has helped to increase literacy rates. In order for these programs to really work teachers must now have proficient computer skills, or be taught h...

... middle of paper ...

...apes Media Landscape” (PR Newswire). (2004). The US

Edition: PR Newswire Association LLC.

Honey, M., Irving, L., Thierer A. (2004). The Information Revolution (Opposing

Viewpoints ). New York: Greyhaven Press.

Lewis, Suzanne G., (2000). Exploring Gender and Technology in Learning

Environments: A web-based Instructional Resource. Retrieved April 27, 2005,

from http://www.gse.harvard.edu/~wit/exploring/index.htm

“Recent Reports on the Digital Divide”. (2002). The George Lucus Educational

Foundation [Electronic Version].

“Resolution of the Gender Divide”. Retrieved April 27, 2005, from

Academic Search/EBSOC database.

Revenaugh, M., (2000). Can the Gender Gap loosen the Divide? Retrieved April 29,

2005, from Academic Search/EBSOC database.

“The Real Digital Divide” (The Economist). (2005). The US Edition: The Economist

Newspaper Ltd.

Open Document