Digital DivideWhat? Where? Who?An introduction to concepts, issues and some solutions

Julie Lindsay for the Flat Classroom Workshop @HK, September 2009

DefinitionThe digital divide is a term used to refer to the gap between people who have access to the internet and those that do not. It can also refer to the skills people have – the divide between peoples who are at ease using technology to access and analyze information and those who are not.

Taking IT Global

Two main aspects•Access to computers and related

technologies

•Technological literacy

According to Andy Carvin…….It’s the gap that exists between populationsin terms of:•Access to information and communication

technologies (ICTs)•Literacy skills and ability to use ICTs

effectively•The availability and accessibility of high

quality, relevant content - and opportunities to produce it

AKA the ABC’s: Access, Basic Skills, Contentwww.digitaldivide.net

Crossing the Content DivideInternet access isn’t worth much without

content that is...

•Locally Relevant•Culturally Relevant•Linguistically Relevant•Literacy Level Appropriate•Accessible for People with Disabilities

Web 2.0: The Read/Write web•Bridging the digital divide•Everyone is a producer•Everyone is a consumer

▫Text, images, video▫Social networking

Internet access globally in 2004

Trend for mobile technology in developing countries

Digital Divide decrease?

Issues•Developing countries – poverty, poor

infrastructure•Old PCs to third world countries – helps to

provide hardware….what about literacy?•Hardware support and infrastructure•Access to online resources

Global Digital Divide•In today's society, jobs and education are

directly related to the internet, in that the advantages that come from the internet are so significant that neglecting them would leave a company vulnerable in a changing market.

•Economic advantage •Social advantage•Educational advantage

Education and Resources•Digital equity through distribution of and

access to resources•Open-source – FOSS•Developed nations have competitive edge•Technology makes learning in different

ways possible•Technology offers a unique opportunity to

extend learning support beyond the classroom, something that has been difficult to do until now.

Solutions•Government policy•NGO’s help establish digital literacy

programs•Community service programs•Web 2.0 – Internet with read/write access•Social software – engaged communities•Mobile computing and wireless access

Grameen Phone"One of their best known accomplishments is the digital divide initiative known as the Grameen Phone program. Women are given loans to start small telecom businesses in their home village. They receive a mobile phone and training, then make that phone available to villagers for community use. For villages with no other telecommunications link to the outside world, the Grameen Phone program has created new opportunities for local residents while helping women achieve improved socioeconomic status. ….”

Muhammed Yunus and Nobel Peace Prize 2006

Hole in the WallThe "Hole in the Wall" project is a testament to the competency and capacity of children to construct their own knowledge in a community of practice. Internet access can connect children to each other and the 21st century.

Hole in the Wall

XO Laptop - $100Nicholas Negroponte

Catalyst for a new generation of laptops