Kids
Keeping Up in the Digital World
The
Digital Divide raises issues about ownership and access
between majority and minority communities and urban and
rural areas. Some say the Digital Divide no longer exists.
I take exception to that thinking, for although recent
studies show that Internet use among African Americans
is increasing significantly, how we use this technology
leaves a lot to be desired.
A
recent study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, "US
Children Stride Digital Divide," showed that there
is a big difference in what children of different backgrounds
are using the computer for. They found that well-off children
use computers for word-processing and homework, but poorer
children tend to use the technology to play games. However,
even those well-off children complain that their teachers
don't use the Internet in class or create assignments
that fully utilize the wealth of material that is on the
Web. This was the finding of another study, "The
Digital Disconnect," by the American Institute for
Research for the Pew Internet & American Life Project.
This
finding then raises the question of return on investment
(ROI) regarding the nation's multi-billion dollar investment
to wire public schools. For while, significant progress
has been made, additional support will be necessary to
prepare teachers to use this tool effectively.
According
to the U.S. Department of Commerce report, "A Nation
Online: How Americans Are Expanding their Use of the Internet,"
by the Fall of 2000 almost 98% of all public schools in
the U.S. were connected to the Internet, and according
to them, there was virtually no difference in access by
school characteristics (size, income level, location).
Now, I would beg to differ with that conclusion, as do
the reports I cite above. It is clear that there is a
difference.
So
what can we do in our communities to change this situation
around? If our children tend to use the computer primarily
for games, maybe teachers need to figure out how to take
advantage of the obsession kids have with video games.
The key here is to capitalize on their interest and use
it to educate.
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