DIGITAL DIVIDE
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IMPLICATIONS OF THE DIGITAL DIVIDE FACTOR AND HOW THEY CAN BE ADDRESSED
Integrate information and computer literacy skills into the curriculum
IST668 ASS 1
Addressing digital divide
2
By Andreas K. Mutoroke Graduate Student: Syracuse University SUID: 975266770
Abstract
Digital divide disadvantages their full access digital
to information hence they cannot improve
information age makes information instantly
their lives, that of their families and their
and constantly accessible, accessing digital
envisaged custodians as expected. The
information is still a mirage for some people
benefits of access to the digital world of
Although
the
global
Addressing digital divide
3
information are enjoyed by some whilst
these skills which are an ingredient for
some are locked out. Cullen and Cullen
survival in the information age. The
(2001) tells us that the people on low
disparities that exist in most countries
incomes, few educational qualifications or
between
with low literacy levels, the unemployed,
information
people in isolated or rural areas and people
technologies and the Internet and those with
with disabilities are, among others, the
limited or without such access or skills have
people disadvantaged in the uptake of
bearings on academic performance and
information
communication
should not go unaddressed. Zmuda and
technologies (ICTs), and this cuts across
Harada (2008) posit that to help improve
both
student
the
and
developed
and
developing
those
with
ready
and
performance
access
to
communication
librarians
must
countries. This scholarly paper describes
tirelessly collaborate with subject specialists
digital
and key stakeholders to create equal ICT
divide,
its
challenges
and
opportunities as well as its impacts and
access
implications on libraries and librarians.
information
Introduction Students of the new millennium must
and
opportunities retrieval
to
to
practice successful
information use by all. Definition and description
have relevant information literacy skills and
Digital divide is a difficult concept to
computer skills in order to succeed in their
define and articulate, and it has various
studies and life in general. These skills are a
definitions and descriptions in the literature.
premise for e-learning and resource-based
The concept generally relates to the gap that
learning. However, digital divide makes it
exists between individuals, households,
difficult and impossible for some to acquire
businesses
and
geographical
areas
at
Addressing digital divide
4
different socio-economic levels with regard
information and computer literacy skills are
to their opportunities to access ICTs and
excluded from enjoying digital data. An
their use of the Internet for a wide variety of
individual who is excluded or whose access
activities
and
to use digital data is limited loses the
Moghaddam, 2008; Valadez and Duran
opportunities and benefits offered by new
(2007). Crenshaw (2009) simply defines
technologies and remain illiterate in many
digital divide as:
areas. An illiterate person has very limited
(Mutula,
2008;
Alireza
“the disparity between those who
computer skills and can hardly partake in
have the resources and capabilities
online learning and global interactions. This
to
leaves them out of the available digital
use
telecommunications
resources that have the potential to help
technologies and those who don't� This quotation suggests that the divide is
improve their lives and that of their families
between those who can access and can use
and communities. At a societal level, digital
ICTs with ease and effectively and those
divide segregates those who do not have
who
information and computer skills as they
have
no
or
limited
access
to
cannot reap from the vast amount of digital
technologies. Digital divide is an issue of global
information at an equal footing with those
national
serious
who have access. Their global interaction
implications on the individual and society. It
will be somehow limited and they cannot
is a cause of concern because it has serious
participate in the democratic process as
impacts
connections,
expected. McKenzie (2007) argued that “to
educational opportunities, employment and
be excluded from access to IT is to be
civic engagements. Those with limited or no
excluded from a major means for people to
and
on
concern
establishing
with
Addressing digital divide engage
in
social,
5 recreational
educational activities�. (p.16)
and
Digital divide is a handicap for acquiring information and computer literacy skills for life-long learning and survival in the information age. Mutula (2008) posits that although the digital gaps have existed since the invention of computer technology, the emergence of digital divide is partly attributed to the revolution in ICTs and the birth of the internet technology in the 1990s. Digital divide encompasses disparities in access to information and lack of skills in the
usage
of
technology
to
explore
computers and the Internet, and as result the digitally excluded can hardly explore the universe of digital information. It matters because it deprives some people from using the readily available digital information. Enjoyment of full benefits of online information
requires
computer
and
information literacy skills which will ensure equal access to digital information and create a future of equals. Challenges and opportunities
Addressing digital divide
6
Access to information is a universal
Physical access to computers is one
right that each individual must enjoy, but the
of the barriers of digital divide. The
literature reveals that many issues still
potential costs to purchase a computer by
impede access to digital information. The
people
advent of the digital world has made it
unemployed remains a serious barrier for
possible for individuals to access libraries
them to access digital information. Some
and get information that satisfy their
individuals
information needs
from remote areas.
purchase of computers and online access
However,
physical
limitations
subscriptions. In many households the
discriminate some people from the benefits
computer hardware is not enough or not
provided by the digital world. Some people
there at all. As a result some students cannot
have the best access to cheaper and fast
type their class assignments in time nor
computers, cheaper and reliable internet and
connect to the global village.To enjoy the
telephone services whilst some have limited
new
or no access to these technologies. The
libraries must be committed to ensuring
major barriers of digital divide are lack of
optimal access to information and promoting
computers with an Internet connectivity,
life-long learning in order to close the digital
lack of capital and expensive satellites, weak
divide by taking an active part in the
telecommunications infrastructure and lack
promotion of information literacy skills
of ICTs and information literacy skills,
(Chelliah and Clarke, 2011).
some
with
low
cannot
emerging
incomes
literally
and
afford
technologies’
the
the
benefits,
among others. Digital divide, therefore,
On the other hand, people in isolated
presents an inequality of access to the new
or rural areas have insufficient infrastructure
information technologies.
for ICT access. Most remote rural settings in
Addressing digital divide many
parts
of
electrification
the
and
7 world
still
lack
marginalized and socially excluded are at an
telecommunications
equal footing with all the citizenry of the
services. A few areas that have the
information
society.
Addressing
digital
infrastructure cannot enjoy their benefits
divide will dissipate or help dissolve the
because the infrastructure is unreliable and
marginalization and social exclusion of the
inefficient. Besides, the high monthly
disadvantaged groups in many ways.
subscriptions exacerbate the cost. Lack of
One opportunity is to teach students
technical expertise too is a major hindrance
information literacy skills which are survival
to harnessing digital information by people
skills. Equipping students with information
on
educational
and computer literacy skills will help
qualifications or with low literacy levels, the
produce a learner who is competent and can
unemployed, people in isolated or rural
precisely
areas
disabilities.
needs; who is independent and socially
Technology is not available in many remote
responsible; who displays confidence in
areas and this makes them have low or no
his/her ability to solve problems; who knows
technological literacy. As a result, children
how
of these parents will have low technology
information,
skills hence their proficiency with using
technology tools to access information and
digital
to communicate. Mutula (2008) suggests
low
and
incomes,
people
information
few
with
remains
a
serious
challenge.
to
articulate
locate and
his/her
relevant who
information
and
accurate
can
manage
that schools are important institutions for
There are opportunities and hopes to
bridging the digital divide in society because
address the digital divide factor so as to
they are the focal points where many
ensure
children meet to learn. For this to be
that
those
who
are
currently
Addressing digital divide
8
realized, schools must be equipped with
divide and ensuring that students learn and
computers with an Internet connectivity.
live
This will assure access for those currently
information society.
excluded or whose access is limited and
The
in
a
democratic
fourth
global
opportunity
digital
is
the
prepare them for tertiary education and the
promotion of life-long learning. Life-long
labor market.
learning can be achieved through resource-
Another possible remedy to this can
based learning. In resource-based learning,
be a vigorous Information Literacy Skills
information seekers become active learners
program that is fully implemented through
as they use a wide range of materials to
collaboration and effective support from all
investigate subject materials to satisfy their
stakeholders. Libraries and librarians are
information needs (Fourie and Bothma,
better placed because they are mandated to
2006). Libraries and librarians will ensure
facilitate freedom of access to information
that learners have a variety of resources at
and promotion of life-long learning. They
their disposal in order to carry out the
must teach students to be able to recognize
research
when information is needed and have the
accomplishment of a task independently.
ability to locate, organize, evaluate and use
This will require teachers to employ learner-
the needed information effectively. Libraries
focused
and librarians must provide resources and
students use multiple resources to complete
guide students on how to effectively use
their
those resources and ensure that thinking and
assignments.
reading strategies are linked to research. This will go a long way in reducing digital
and/or
approaches
research
to
support
which
and
will
the
make
library-based
The facilitation of freedom of access to
information
would
promote
digital
Addressing digital divide
9
inclusion and make it possible for the
will increase equitable access to global
digitally excluded to fully participate as a
digital information which is a necessity one
productive citizen in a digital society as
must not be disadvantaged of.
well. Libraries must ensure that the world of
Impacts and implications
information is easily reached and explored by their
service
computers
and
communities
Digital divide has serious impacts on
through
people on low incomes, few educational
Internet
qualifications or with low literacy levels, the
connectivity in schools should be an
unemployed, people in isolated or rural
essential utility and necessity.
Internet
areas and people with disabilities. The
access pursues quality education of the
marginalized contexts in which people with
digital society, and must be availed to all.
disabilities find themselves do not only
This can be possible if Internet connectivity,
make it difficult for them to acquire
all the equipment that make its use possible
information literacy skills but also excludes
and its subsequent subscriptions are made
them from accessing online media and the
reasonably affordable by the ordinary
internet. People with disabilities cannot
citizenry, lest it remains a mirage and the
genuinely and effectively interact with other
digital divide widens. With these in place,
people
the majority of the population of all nations
technologies effectively. McKenzie (2007)
will have access to digital information.
contends that children from low-income
Libraries and librarians must therefore work
families do not have the basic computer
tirelessly to coax policy makers to increase
skills which has bearings on life-ling
library budgets so that they buy more
learning
computers and connect to the Internet. This
opportunities. Sun and Metros (2011) add
the
Internet.
through
and
their
the
available
future
vast
employment
Addressing digital divide
10
that students from low socio-economic
enough high-speed networked computers to
families do not have equal access to
carter for some students who do not have
technology
educational
them at home and cannot access them
experiences. Thus, they do not competitive
elsewhere. Librarians in particular must
well in tertiary education, and those who
provide training to library users by teaching
make it to higher education struggle as they
them information searching skills and how
are not digitally literate. Needless to point
to establish the credibility of information.
out, this will deprive them the opportunity to
Librarians must also guide subject teachers
get better paying jobs whose requisite is
on how to integrate information and
basic computer skills.
computer literacy skills into their curriculum
in
their
early
Bridging the digital divide starts with
who should in turn help students to fulfil
giving access and giving support and
their information seeking aspirations. It is
guidance to users. In their mandate of
envisaged that this training will go a long
promoting
to
way in helping users of the library attain
information, libraries and librarians must be
computer and internet skills that will
the community’s digital bridge. Libraries
subsequently help them cope in today’s
must not let the benefits of information age
global world of digital information.
education
and
access
pass the digitally divided. They must be fee
A librarian’ story
providers of public access to computers and
Adrian, a K-12 student in one of the
the Internet. Library networked computers
High schools in the suburbs of Atlanta,
will only be an effective way to reach the
wanted to word process his assignments but
digitally disadvantaged if equitable access is
he did not have a computer at home. The
promoted. Libraries must, therefore, have
school did not have computers for students
Addressing digital divide
11
to do their school work neither. The public
for my lunch, I will tell the security officer
library was the only place he could use but
to let you in”. Adrian, who did not think the
each time he arrived at the library the
librarian can accommodate his plea, was
security officer will warn users that the
excited and was much relieved. In response
library will close in 30 minutes time. As a
he said “Madam thank you so very much, I
result, Adrian was always disappointed that
was afraid to approach you for a long time
he did not do a good job on his assignments.
and my school work suffered. Now I will
Adrian wanted to approach the librarian but
finish my assignments in time and improve
was afraid. Adrian had no better time than
my academic performance”. In response Ms.
the lunch hour and he made his mind to
Joseph said, “Please do not worry Adrian,
request the librarian to allow him to use the
we are here to serve you and we will do the
library that time. In great fear and
best we can!” The librarian always ensured
uncertainty that the librarian will entertain
that Adrian and his classmates, who later
his request, he approached the librarian.
joined him, had a computer. Sometimes she
With a shaky voice and afraid to look at the
will allow Adrian to use the computer in her
librarian, he said “m…. mad..aam can I be
office. The hospitality of the librarian made
allowed to use your library during lunch
it possible for Adrian to type his class
hour?” Ms. Joseph, the librarian, was so
assignments in time. Subsequently, Adrian
touched by this and she did not want to
developed trust in the librarian and began to
interrogate him. She saw how Adrian was
see librarians as people who can always be
serious and desperate and said “Adrian my
asked for help. Adrian grew up a testifier of
boy, you are most welcome to use your
“the library computer became my only source for
library that time. Though I sometimes go out
completion of my assignments and information search
Addressing digital divide
12
endeavors!!”, and he would say it from the
bridge the divide, but it is important to
deepest of his heart. Adrian’s academic
prevent it from deepening (Law, 2004; Sun
performance, and that of his friends who
and Metros, 2011). All stakeholders must
visited the library with him, flourished and
collaborate and ensure that all segments of
he was happy as was the librarian.
the society have easy and equal access to
Conclusion
computers, the Internet and all networked
In a nutshell, the information-age
resources and are transliterate in order to
marginalized and socially excluded citizenry
partake in the global digital world of
will have the computer aptitude needed for
information and future of equals.
the cyberspace world if digital divide is addressed as a matter of urgency. Reducing the difference in electronic access should be a priority agenda for libraries and librarians as well as the key stakeholders. To prepare citizens for lifelong learning and successful work in the global world, freedom of access to information and the attainment of both digital and information literacy skills by all is a prerequisite. Librarians must ensure that they reduce digital divide so that students are transliterate by the time they leave schools in order for them to fit in the information age. It may not be possible to
Resources http://www.Digitallitearcy.gov [Digital Literacy website] http://www.ipl.org/div/digitaldivide/ [digital divide – Internet Public Library website] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNtMlqJS18 [Addressing the Digital divide video] http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=4vBNp0AdWgE [Libraries, the digital divide and how we can bridge it video] http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=x1YLPL0KOWE [The Divide in Education video]
digital
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