Digital Divide by David Bolt

Digital Divide Reviews

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  CTEP

  This book talks about the Digital Divide - why it's there, who it affects, and what can be done to lessen the gap.
  
  One thing that really hit home with the CTEP program (or, rather, the sights we deal with) was the issue of having the technology without the manpower to keep it up and teach people how to use it. In the book, the example is in schools, but the idea is easily transferred to non-profits such as the ctcs we all work in. Schools budget x amount of dollars for technology in their classrooms. But what many people forget to do is to budget x amount of dollars for people to RUN the labs, MAINTAIN the labs, and to TEACH kids how to actually use the technology and why it is relevent to them.
  
  The chapter "the Future of Work" emphasizes the fact that kids need to be keeping up with the technologies that are evolving, as those technologies are what they will need to be successful in the working world. One thing I'm not sure I agree with is that some believe children should be matched up with companies at an early age to sort of learn the trade through technology. Though I think it's a great idea to give kids exposure to different jobs and the technology involved, it seems a little pushy... When I was in middle school, I didn't necessarily know what I wanted to do with my life. Being assigned to work with a certain corporation and getting trained in on their technology would be cool, but would set up a sort of pre-determined fate of the kids involved...
  
  "The Gender Gap" was one of the more facinating (and new) topics that the book covered. I have not necessary considered how ones gender could determine their relevence to and comfort with technology. They explain that girls are more interested in technology as a way to connect and collaborate with other people. Boys are typically more excited about seeing what the technology can do - in the technical sense. The combination of gender roles and stereotypes, and the typical classroom set-up and mentality, can create very uncomfortable learning environments for girls when it comes to technology. Programs like TechGrrlz, Chick Click, and Girl Tech allow girls to feel comforatable and explore technology with other girls.
  
  And finally the "World White Web" gave a lot of insight to who is connected and technically literate - and who is not. I think we all know the basics on that, but it was crazy to read about the statistics and how truly White technology is.
  
  There were some great resources at the end - people, books and websites that have a lot of information pertaining to the digital divide and groups that are trying to overcome it.
  
  I would recommend this book to any CTEPer. It is somewhat basic (and easy to read) but also has some great examples and ideas of how we can take on the Digital Divide!! :)