Memo
To: World Class School Board
From: Jayne Crawford, Educator
Date: July 16, 2008
Re: How to Bridge the Digital Divide
The accessibility the digital age affords is unfortunately not available to everyone. The digital divide refers to certain groups (people from low socio-economic households, with lower education, with disabilities, and minorities) who may not have access to technology (including computers and Internet use) nor the skills to use it. We cannot assume every person who does not have access to technology wants access, however as educators it is our responsibility to model and promote the advantages and opportunities the Internet can provide to enhance one’s life, especially the above group of people. The effects of such inequity for students can result in lack of confidence because of inadequate skills needed to use the Internet and other computers programs. Furthermore, parents with no computer skills are deprived of opportunities for self-improvement such as more education, better jobs, and higher incomes. This memo provides six resources that can help reduce digital inequity in our schools and community.
- It is critical to develop an awareness of technology and provide information to our community about the importance and place of technology in today’s society thus allowing students to have access not only at school, but also at home and in their communities. Community Technology Centers’ Network (CTCNet) is available to provide our community with resources and support to implement technology to those who need it. http://www.ctcnet.org/
- The Community MAR program provides refurbished computers to low-income families and schools. They can help establish equipment to families in need. http://www.techsoup.org/mar/
- Schools who don’t have administrators who are technologically skilled may not feel confident enough to promote a technologically thriving school. CASTLE helps prepare school administrators to lead their school to become a computer-based environment with ample resources for teachers and students. http://www.schooltechleadership.org/
- Digital Equity Service Center provides leaders of the community as well as teachers expertise in setting up programs and curriculum to implement technology and its applications. http://www.digitalequity.or/
- Edutopia is a great resource for schools. It gives examples of schools who have implemented technology into their teaching, and is a great source for teacher development as well as hands-on projects for the classroom. http://www.edutopia.org/
- W3C provide scenarios of people with disabilities using the web. Teachers need to be sensitive and develop empathy for students who have impaired access to computers. Also Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) provides a wealth of resources and links to help people with disabilities
http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/Drafts/PWD-Use-Web/Overview.html
http://www.w3.org/WAI/
All in all, we must not lose focus of our ultimate goal which is educating students to become productive citizens in today’s technologically-based society. Change does not happen overnight, however the sooner we start taking steps to support those people included in the digital divide, the more our students will have opportunities for success. By offering families low priced computers, providing training courses to teachers and parents, guiding administrators to become technologically confident, and supporting the community with ample resources, our school board can become successful in diminishing the digital divide.
5 comments:
I have not heard of the “Community MAR” program however I am an advocate of open source software and refurbished items. In reading what the “Community MAR” does, I found it interesting that Microsoft Software was available to those who refurbish equipment. Currently my school is selling old computers and other technological equipment without software and I feel it could be dealt with in a more positive manner. I am sure that there are churches and or schools that could benefit from the equipment. It would be a great means of establishing some community relationships.
You have included a very helpful set of resources. The links cover the full spectrum of issues facing people addressing the divide. As an educator, I particularly appreciate the CASTLE website. It is important to bring administrators on board with an informed and practical frame of mind as they implement more technology into their buildings.
Jayne, you bring out a very important point about the fact that, "We cannot assume every person who does not have access to technology wants access." I read this statement in our literature this past week, too, and it is something that I struggle with in my classroom. I am intentional about developing lessons that include technology but find a lack of motivation and it puzzles me. I have to remind myself that just because I love it, whether it be technology or math or geography, others may not share the same view. And...it could also be that they feel inadequate with it so they avoid it altogether. It comes to the same issue with school personnel who avoid using technology in their classroom; they feel a lack of control and confidence. I do believe that bridging the digital divide doesn't mean just having access but also having those skills to use it. I feel you've covered this well in your memo and I should revise mine to include improving skills also.
I like that you supplied us with great resources. I too like the CASTLE. I think a lot of our administrators are still in the age before technology. That would probably be a place to start to bridge the gap of the digital divide.
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