Digital Divide and The Internet

By Laurelle Jno Baptiste

The overall effect of the digital divide remains a critical factor in the social and economic welfare of all individuals within world societies. The digital divide represents a complex collection of issues that transcends the globe. Over the past several years, the digital divide has been a ‘hot topic’ for social activists. However, many of these important advocates today appear silent. I contend that it is essential that we continue to raise awareness and champion this issue on behalf of those citizens of the world whose voices may never otherwise be heard.
Traditionally, the term digital divide has referred specifically to access to technology, primarily ownership of, or access to, a personal computer. However, as it stands today, the concept of the digital divide is much broader and multifaceted. Wikipedia.org defines the term digital divide as ‘the gap’ between people with effective access to digital and information technology and those with very limited or no access at all. This definition includes the imbalances in physical access to technology as well as the imbalances in resources and skills needed to effectively participate as a digital citizen. In other words, the term digital divide represents the unequal access by some members of society to information and communication technology and the unequal acquisition of related skills. I find Wikipedia’s definition to be quite fitting because it speaks not only to physical access but to corresponding skill limitations as well.
One social phenomenon where the consequences of a digital divide are becoming increasingly evident centers around access to Internet technology. The meteoric growth of the Internet over the past decade is clearly evident in today’s society. Most would agree that the Internet is a catalyst that has, and will continue, to transform societies, and that its social dividend appears limitless. Internet technology has long been recognized as an essential part of social integration and has become central to all aspects of our lives. In the modern day context, access to information online is viewed as an integral part of socialization and key to economic survival. With the successes of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, and also the Open Education Movement, just to name a few, the Internet continues to help transform the way we learn, work and play.
Within the education sector, institutions are increasingly relying on the Internet for the delivery of educational materials. Further, the Internet is central to the operations of many academic institutions globally as online learning continues to allow students to learn at their own pace, to provide access to an abundance of information online and to present opportunities to collaborate with peers worldwide. Yet, as the Internet races towards critical mass, research shows that there exists a persistent gap in access. Observed differences in access and use can be directly attributed to differences in income and levels of education. Access to the Internet, like access to books in the past, represents a more recent factor in the maintenance of the socio-economic status quo. Assuming that the correlation between Internet access and social and economic well-being is valid, all individuals need the tools and the benefits that the Internet can provide to improve their collective position in society. My concern about this aspect of the digital divide is that the disadvantaged will become further marginalized as more societies and their educational institutions demand the use of Internet technology as the normal means by which to access their resources. With limited, or in some cases no access to educational opportunity and successful career paths, lack of Internet access leaves the “info poor” with an additional disadvantage they can ill afford to bear.

Within the North American context, researchers have long debated the reasons behind the present divide. Some have placed the blame solely on economics and the inability of individuals to afford technical resources. I do not discount this position but submit that there are other factors that play significant roles. For example, I believe that there is a lack of identification with online content among some groups in our society. Specifically, most of what is written on the Internet is intended for consumers with average or advanced levels of literacy and therefore excludes anyone with below average literacy skills. And most of what is written on the Internet is written in English thus excluding many who do not speak English or those with English as a second language. Arguably there have been some gains in general access and use, but there is still little content that is developed and targeted outside of an English speaking audience.
I must clarify here that a simple focus on technology will not eliminate the digital divide. The best computer or fastest Internet access in the world does not automatically guarantee access to higher levels of education. Social reform needs to be the priority and Internet access will grow as a natural consequence of upward social mobility. That said, as suggested earlier, access to Internet technology is a catalytic and essential factor in the social reform equation. We cannot downplay the part technology plays in this society and its potential to assist movement of the have-nots of society to a haves status.
History records well the effects of mass media in leading lower levels of societies to share in the advantage and rewards of reaching beyond established social and economic boundaries. However, each new form of mass media, from the printing press and telephone, to radio and television, has brought with it an acceleration effect within societies, and with each iteration of media invention, we have witnessed groups of people left behind with little hope of reaching a level playing field. The ability of the Internet to inform, to provide education, to enhance civic involvement, and to generate economic enterprise dramatically exceeds past media inventions. I believe that without access to the Internet, today’s disadvantaged in world society experience unprecedented obstacles to societal advancement. All strategies to overcome the disparity of social groups must continue to include an integration of new media technologies in opportunities intended to create social and economic progress.

Using technology to improve the cost-effectiveness of the academy

Using technology to improve the cost-effectiveness of the academy: Part 1
By Tony Bates, on October 10th, 2009

Is e-learning failing in higher education?

In previous blogs, I have discussed whether e-learning is failing in higher education. To answer the question, I have examined the expectations or goals for e-learning, and whether they are being achieved.

Finally, I come to the last goal or expectation: that e-learning will increase the cost-effectiveness of higher education. I will argue that this is the most important and valuable of all the goals for e-learning, but is the one that is furthest from being achieved.

Read More

The possibilities of online accreditation

Yale researchers examine online accreditation
Yale's partnership with tuition-free University of the People will document the hurdles that web-based education must overcome

By Dennis Carter, Assistant Editor

Read the article here