Money and technology are two things that go well together because without one you're going to have a hard time getting the other. This fundamental idea is a large factor in why the current demographics of the Internet are predominantly white, non-hispanic. As hard as it may be for some to admit, the current America we live in has vast financial disparities among its citizens. While walking down the streets here in Atlanta, one can feel the breeze as shiny new sports car zips by him or her. At the same time, they can look to the other side and see a man holding out a cup, wondering where his next meal might come from. This difference in wealth can be expanded to entire communities and school districts. The result is a large gap in computer literacy skills not because of the lack of intelligence in hispanic and non-white schools, but because of the lack of available resources in such areas.
For many, the first concern is not equipping schools with computer labs, but rather classrooms with textbooks. However, in our current technology-driven era, perhaps this is the wrong approach. Children who are enrolled in such schools that fail to enrich students with computer literacy skills effectively cripple them when it comes time to find jobs. The job market is filled with entry-level jobs that require basic computing knowledge that cannot be filled by those who were never given the opportunity to learn. This only serves to further the financial disparity that exists between the white and non-white communities and start the entire process all over again with the next generation.
The problem is evident, yet tackling such an issue is considered a momentous task. The question is, how can we even the playing field and give all students access to high-tech computer labs and reliable instructors? The article by Gary Beach may provide some answers to that question.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGonlviorZM
Video by KRWGnews about the Digital Divide.
For many, the first concern is not equipping schools with computer labs, but rather classrooms with textbooks. However, in our current technology-driven era, perhaps this is the wrong approach. Children who are enrolled in such schools that fail to enrich students with computer literacy skills effectively cripple them when it comes time to find jobs. The job market is filled with entry-level jobs that require basic computing knowledge that cannot be filled by those who were never given the opportunity to learn. This only serves to further the financial disparity that exists between the white and non-white communities and start the entire process all over again with the next generation.
The problem is evident, yet tackling such an issue is considered a momentous task. The question is, how can we even the playing field and give all students access to high-tech computer labs and reliable instructors? The article by Gary Beach may provide some answers to that question.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGonlviorZM
Video by KRWGnews about the Digital Divide.