The Digital Divide

This week I was introduced to a tool on the web entitled VoiceThread, which enables asynchronous conversations amongst a group of people.  I really enjoyed using this tool this week and can visualize many educational conversations that could take place within a group of classmates.  I particularly love how the comment can be recorded with the contributor's voice, an image of the contributor is apparent and a visual that the contributor chose on his/her topic is evident.  It simply makes it a more personalized conversation when you can hear the individual's voice and see his/her face.  I also think it is fantastic that the comment could be made via text because if an individual does not have access to a microphone, that person can still participate.  If an individual is unable to speak or has difficulties speaking, that person can still participate.  It seems to be a tool that is universally designed to be accessible to a wide range of people.  Furthermore, once a thread was begun by a classmate, I like the fact that others could add a comment to the thread.  And, once again, the picture and voice of the person commenting is right there.  A link to our voicethread about the digital divide follows.

https://voicethread.com/?#u2445396

Our topic this week was the digital divide and how it has changed over the years.  This topic was very interesting to me.  Truthfully, I have never given much thought to the situation and was unfamiliar with the term digital divide.  After much review of this issue throughout the week, I really gained a better understanding of a very important educational issue.  What once was a divide on who had access to technology and who didn't, is now a divide on what kind of access people have.  The introduction of internet access via cell phone has brought many groups of people, African Americans and Latinos particularly, into the world of the World Wide Web.  Although cell phones are wonderful pieces of technology and it really is amazing that they have brought internet access to so many people that otherwise would not have it, they are primarily used for entertainment.  It would be so difficult, if not impossible, to use a cell phone to complete a research paper, to apply for jobs or to update a resume.  People need access to a computer.  They need to know how to use the computer in order to empower themselves.  This education has to begin at a young age.  Teachers need to know how to incorporate digital education into their classroom curriculum and routine.  And, finally, teachers need to provide all students with this education.