After considering the image above, share what you are doing at your school to help 20th century classrooms meet the needs of the 21st century learner.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
What is the "Digital Divide?"
When the phrase "bridging the digital divide" first appeared in the media and in publications, it referred to the disparity between the information "haves" and the "have nots." For example, anyone in education knows there are students with Internet access at home and those who do not even have a computer. Some school systems have Internet access in every classroom while others in a neighboring county may have access only in the media center. Some ethnic groups are less likely to have access than others, and typically, the young are "haves" and the old are "have nots." However, statistics show the greatest disproportion exists between varying income levels of households.
But why is it so important to "bridge the digital divide?" Social inequalities exist everywhere, right?
The U.S. Department of Education reported that nearly 90% of jobs by 2010 will require some type of technical skill. Lack of access to the tools and skills needed in today's workplace leads those without to be stuck in a place where they will never make enough money to acquire the tools and training needed to increase their employment opportunities. This keeps a large sector of our society in cycle of poverty that is hard to break.
What can we do? As educators, we are charged with the important task of educating America's youth. This goes well beyond classic textbooks for teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. But to ensure that our teachers are receiving the proper training and necessary tools to prepare our students, we as administrators must take the time to better understand the capability of technology and the impact it has on our students and ultimately, our future.
What can you do this year to help your school bridge the digital divide?
But why is it so important to "bridge the digital divide?" Social inequalities exist everywhere, right?
The U.S. Department of Education reported that nearly 90% of jobs by 2010 will require some type of technical skill. Lack of access to the tools and skills needed in today's workplace leads those without to be stuck in a place where they will never make enough money to acquire the tools and training needed to increase their employment opportunities. This keeps a large sector of our society in cycle of poverty that is hard to break.
What can we do? As educators, we are charged with the important task of educating America's youth. This goes well beyond classic textbooks for teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. But to ensure that our teachers are receiving the proper training and necessary tools to prepare our students, we as administrators must take the time to better understand the capability of technology and the impact it has on our students and ultimately, our future.
What can you do this year to help your school bridge the digital divide?
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