Beyond simply providing access to computer hardware and software, how should educators and policy makers concerned with closing the digital divide proceed?
It wasn’t so long ago that the internet used to me for middle class citizens who could afford the technology to access and, to some extent, create content online. Now that we are living in time where the consumer could also serve as the producer, this technology is becoming more wildly available.
Unfortunately there is still a small percentage of people who don’t have that luxury. Even in America, about 15 percent of its citizens still lack access to basic internet.
It could be because of a lot of factors, but mostly socioeconomic.
Today, the internet is used excessively. In schools, for job applications, for filling out forms. It has become a large part of how the American system works.
Policy makers could allocated more taxes into providing more broadband equipment. create programs that help people learn digital literacy, and partner with companies such as Comcast, AT&T, and Version to create programs that make broadband internet more affordable to low-income neighborhoods.
Educators could continue to provide students with access to their computers but also see if they can create a program that lets student take the computer home for a few days. That way, the chances of eliminating the digital divide are much more greater.