Digital Divide

In the last two decades, technology has advanced so rapidly it not only has widened the digital gap between developed and developing countries but also within school districts. Due to lack of infrastructure and capital, many countries and schools are fallen behind the digital world and missing out on the global experience. The advancement of technology has connected the global world like never before. Gadgets like the computer, iPods, camcorders, digital cameras, and cell phones have brought us together as one. Technology is
People across the global are learning about the different cultures and countries that surround them while communicating with people in other countries, in the comfort of their own home. Families are staying in touch with love ones who are thousands of miles away, and reuniting with old friends through digital network. Technology has also made it accessible to network with people across the global in matter of seconds and find almost anything on-line whether you want to find data on studies, people, places, or random items you can find it all on-line with the proper search engines that is.
People can even obtain a college degree on-line and attend class without ever having to step foot in an actual classroom. Better yet, you can campaign for a cause or a reform without having to travel across the country. Companies and organizations are expanding their membership and clientele at faster rate than ever before. So why are schools falling behind?
More than ever, schools need to incorporate technology into the classroom so students can develop the technical and learning skills that will required in higher education and the workforce. Unfortunately, insufficient funds and resources, and under qualified teachers make it difficult to integrate technology into the classroom. However, there many ways schools and teachers can bridge the gap between the digital divided among schools and classrooms by applying for grants or asking for monetary donations or used computers. As a teacher, I would advocate for more laptops/computers in my school and classroom so all students; regardless of socioeconomic status can have access to digital resources at school. If students do not have computers at home, at least they will have access to them at school. Therefore, they can stay connected to the global world, in addition to learning how to use technology effectively.
In my own classroom, I would implement technology-base assignments and activities so my students can become acquainted with technology and comfortable enough to use it for future references. Technology allows students to expand their horizons and learn how to properly communicate with others, in addition to learning about the cultures of different ethnic groups. This allows students to become more culturally sensitive towards the beliefs and practices of other individuals whether at their school or abroad. Digital resources make it feasible for students to research and explore different content areas and sources.
The first few weeks of school I would hand out a survey for my students to complete, regarding their accessibility and familiarity with electronic devices and digital resources.

Survey:
*Circle All That Apply:
1. Which one of these devices have you used before or have created
Computer, iPod, cell phone (Smartphone, itouch, blackberry etc), camcorder, digital camera.
YouTube video, glogster, podcast, wiki, blog, web page, website, other____________?
2. Do you own any of these devices, meaning you do not have to share with other family members? Computer, iPod, cell phone (Smartphone, Itouch, blackberry etc), camcorder, digital camera.

List all that apply:
3. Does anyone in your household own any of these gadgets (who? Relationship to you, brother, mother etc) and are you allow to use it?
Computer, iPod, cell phone (Smartphone, Itouch, blackberry etc), camcorder, digital camera.
4. Are you apart of a social network on-line, such as twitter, facebook, MySpace, blog, other__________?

Circle all that apply
5. On a weekly base, how often do you use a computer to surf the net________, to network with others ___________or to complete a class assignment_________?

How often do you use these gadgets on a weekly base:
Camcorder_________, video games ____________, cell phone__________, iPod__________, and digital camera____________?

6. In your own words, what do you mostly use the internet for?
7. How comfortable are you with using technology on a scale from 1-5, 1 meaning you're computer illiterate, 5 meaning you’re a pro.
8. Do you blog on-line?
9. Do you use iTunes?
10. Do you know what a podcast is, if so describe it, and have you created one before?
11. How far away is the nearest library from your house, is it walking distance?
12. If you need to go to the library do you have a ride?
13. Do you have your own car, or can you borrow your parents or sibling's car?
14. Could you use a friend, neighbor, or family member's computer?
15. Do you have access to the Internet at home?
Etc......

This survey will help me to modify my lesson plan according to student's responses. If more than half of my students do not have access to a computer or the Internet at home I will suggest the following:
1. Students who do not have access to a computer or Internet at home can stay after school to complete their homework whether in my classroom or in the computer lab.
2. Students can come early in the morning, before school starts, to use the class computers or during lunch.
3. Students will be able to use the computers during class; I will also make sure they have the opportunity to visit the computer lab at least once a week.
4. Students will be suggested to use family, friends, or their neighbors’ computers only if it's okay with their parents.
5. I will also make time during class for students to work on their technology-base assignment.
6. Students who own laptops or whose parents have laptops will be encouraged to bring them to class, only if their parents sign a form granting them permission.
Moreover, I will apply for various grants and/or enter contest that provide funds or laptops/computers as prizes; at least enough for students to share in pairs. I will ask write letters to various companies/businesses, organizations, and foundations, such as local electronic stores, universities, government agencies, etc asking for monetary funds or for used computers they no longer use or need. My students and I will also ask for donations around the community and have fund-raisers to raise enough money to purchase at least one computer for every two students.
An additional option would be to present a proposal to my principal or district personnel mentioning why it’s so important to integrate technology into the classroom and the necessity for all students to have their own individual computer. The proposal will include the following:
Technology will help students become productive citizens by developing technical and learning skills that are required in higher education and the workplace. Moreover, students will contribute to the global world through digital networking and development. In today’s world, students must learn more than the basics to be prepared for life. Using technology, students will develop learning skills, such as thinking and problem-solving skills, information and communication skills, and interpersonal and self-directional skills.


Fortunately, many schools and educators are recognizing the importance of integrating technology in the classroom. These are just a few examples of how educators are using and advocating for technology integration in the classroom.
Many districts across the nation rely upon grants, special bond issues, and more often than not, charity and philanthropy to support the integration of technology into instruction. The following sites mention why it’s important to integrate technology in the classroom and they provide useful tips that other teachers have used in order to advocate for computers/technology in their classrooms.

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te4lk22.htm

* The best bet for technology funding is to build community support and to develop funding out of local resources.

* Technology is an ongoing investment and therefore should be considered as a regular expense, not a one-time purchase. Schools or districts should seek school budget line items for technology or should include technology in other existing budget lines (such as facilities) rather than relying upon bonds and one-time expenditures.

* The value of grants can be increased if they are matched by local contributions. Although schools and districts appreciate grant funds for hardware and other infrastructure needs, the grant value is increased if it is matched by local contributions toward ongoing expenses. Therefore, grant requests should always indicate where local funds or other resources will match the requested funding. Further, the local match should be specific about what it will finance and about how the combined grant and local match will fulfill the school or district's technology goals.

* Equipment donations must be critically appraised as a funding mechanism for technology. Some donations are useful, both practically and politically, as a graphic demonstration of local support for a school's technology efforts. Nevertheless, schools must be wary of becoming dumping grounds for old equipment that may need repair or maintenance work. Old equipment may be better than nothing, but schools ultimately need the same level of technology as the business world. In short, schools should neither universally accept nor reject technology donations. Instead, they should critically examine the value of such donations in light of their overall technology strategy.

Furthermore, many schools have started participate in large-scale competes in order to win technology-base grants. In this article, 11 charter schools compete against each other in order to win a large-scale technology grant from their state by participating in a study.

Other teachers like Ariel Sacks have made wonderful suggestions for integrating technology in the classroom and home:

“I'd like to see the government step in and make internet free for parents who send their children to public schools, and provide a laptop--or an easy, affordable pathway to getting one--for all public school students. Once this is the case, schools need to get with the times and create safe and attractive networking programs for teachers and classes to use.”

Like many teachers, Ariel Sacks is advocating for the integration of technology through digital networking. Other educators have advocated in different ways for example, Kathy Benson and Geordie Paulus received the top educational technology award in the state of Maryland. Both of these educators went the extra mile to advocate for the integration of technology in classrooms. Ms. Benson conducted numerous workshops and provided several professional development opportunities for the school district regarding the integration of technology in classrooms. Ms. Paulus on the other hand, was responsible for creating and facilitating professional development activities to increase the use of technology by teachers and students; collaborating with leaders within the school to create a comprehensive technology plan that maximizes the use of the hardware and software provided by the local school system; and modeling the integration of technology into all aspects of the school’s culture to increase student engagement and staff productivity.

Ms. Paulus’ passion for technology extends beyond the classroom to the entire community. She developed and implemented various technology related programs for students in the school and hosted evening parent programs to ensure that technology was being used effectively and safely at home.
You could read more about these women: