The Digital Divide

The term digital divide, according to Wikipedia, refers to the gap between those with regular, effective access to digital and information technology, and those without this access. It encompasses both physical access to technology hardware and, more broadly, skills and resources which allow for its use. Does this divide still exist? Absolutely! It does not exist in all school districts but the gap is widest in rural areas. Does this create a problem for teachers who want to implement technology into their classrooms? Absolutely! The digital dive creates problems because teachers are limited to what kind of assignments they can give to students as homework. Technology based assignments have to be completed in the classroom or another location at school that provides access to computers. The second part of the definition posted on Wikipedia is probably the biggest problem I see when face with a digital divide. Because students do not have access to computers they fall behind on computer based skills so when an assignment is given in class the problem is compounded because the teacher has to spend a proportionate amount of time teaching a particular skill.
How can this problem be solved? Good question! One suggestion is encouraging the use of the public library as a resource where students can access computers. Also A wide variety of organizations and non-profit groups are also working to close the digital gap in their communities. One such group, The Computers for Schools Foundation, collects used computers, refurbishes them, and distributes them to K-12 schools in need. Since it began in 1991, the program has placed more than 80,000 computers in schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.