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THE DIGITAL DIVIDE: FROM GRACCHUS TO GOOGLE!

 

By:  Sara Lampmann and Jean Moore

Montclair State University

 

Technology_12.jpg
"Image Provided by Classroom Clipart"

 

 

CAN YOU IMAGINE YOUR LIFE WITHOUT A COMPUTER? 

 
CAN YOU IMAGINE YOUR LIFE WITHOUT THE INTERNET? 
 

No Facebook?! No MySpace?! No Emails?!  NO WAY?! 
 
 
 
You probably shouted these responses and in fact maybe laughed at the thought of not having these technologies which seem as necessary as food and water in today’s society.  However, if these same questions are asked to students in rural areas of this country, or even in some neighboring towns not too far from here, students your age may not have to imagine life without these technologies because this life is REALITY.  What does this equal?   Answer:  Inequality.  In this case, the inequality is known as the Digital Divide.

 

 

D2= DIGITAL DIVIDE

 
The Digital Divide (D2) refers to the gap between people with physical access to computers and those who do not, as well as the gap between those who have the resources and skills to effectively use these technologies and those who do not. 
 
Surely there have been times when you were trying to explain something you did on the computer to someone else that had no idea what you were talking about.  Maybe you were telling a grandparent about email or trying to explain to a younger sibling about creating power point presentations. Think back to these times. How did you feel? Were you frustrated that you had a hard time communicating? Now think about how that other person felt who lacked the knowledge to be able to dialogue with you. They might have felt worse and even more frustrated than you. Unfortunately, this problem not only occurs in your world, but in the world around you as well.  Just think about how this inability to communicate can cause big problems.  How big are we talking about?  Let's take a closer look at D2.
 
 
How Big is the Problem: You Do the Math
 

 

In a survey that was conducted in May 2008 by Pew Internet & American Life Project, the following information was collected about the Demographics of Internet Users.

 

Demographics of Internet Users

Below is the percentage of each group who use the internet, according to May 2008 survey.

 

Use the internet

Age

18-29

  90%

30-49

85

50-64

70

65+

35

Race/ethnicity

White, Non-Hispanic

  75%

Black, Non-Hispanic

59

English-speaking Hispanic

80

Geography

Urban

  74%

Suburban

77

Rural

63

Household income

Less than $30,000/yr

  53%

$30,000-$49,999

76

$50,000-$74,999

85

$75,000 +

95

Educational attainment

Less than High School

  44%

High School

63

Some College

84

College +

91

Source:  Pew Internet & American Life Project, April 8 – May 11, 2008 Tracking Survey.  N=2,251 adults, 18 and older. Margin of error is ±2% for results based on the full sample and ±3% for results based on internet users.

 

Last updated July 22, 2008.

 

QUESTIONS

 

1. How many people were surveyed in Pew Internet's Project?

 

2. What percentage of people uses the internet that earned less than $30,000.00 per year per household?

3. So, how many people use the internet that earned less than $30,000.00 per year per household?   

4. What percentage of people uses the internet that earned more than $75,000.00 per year per household? 

5. So, how many people use the internet that earned less than $75,000.00 per year per household?

6. How many more people use the internet in the highest income bracket than the lowest income bracket?

 

Answers

 

Looking at the answer to #6, does the Digital Divide

seem like a bigger deal now than you originally thought?

 

Can you think about the problems that result

because of this Divide?

 

What can we do?

 

Let's take a look at history to help us bridge to the future and clear up your question "I know Google, but who is Gracchus?"

 

                                                                                                                            LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO TEACH THE FUTURE!!

 

Last updated: September 22, 2008
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