Reflections: The Digital Divide (Tapscott)
It was interesting to note, while reading the article, just how quickly a technology article can become dated. The goals of the many organizations mentioned in this article was to become “wired�, however, today, the goal is to become “wireless� – not only organizations, but also entire communities and cities.
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I couldn’t help but think as I read the article, of the many things in schools we could do with computers. If you let yourself think of the vast possibilities, it is really mind-boggling. As I had talked with fellow students throughout the week, integration of technologies could, potentially, reduce or eliminate the problem with overcrowding in the schools. As schools become more tech-integrated, they could (potentially) offer on-line classes, thus reducing the need for students to be at a building 5 days/week. The problem becomes, though, what to do with families that are not “wired� (or wireless). However, this is not an insurmountable problem. Schools could find ways to provide computer access to all students (whether on-site or off-site).
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Another thought I had while reading this article: Technology is really a great eliminator or racial, economic, etc., etc., divides. If you didn’t know who I was, there would be little way of telling whether or not I am black, white, Hispanic, Asian, etc. All you could know about me is my mind (and my typing/grammar skills). This is incredible! When people have access, the only barriers that are formed are those of thought and theory, not of economic status or skin color.