Where would we be without the internet? I think of how the world has changed because of the digital divide just in the past ten years. People no longer fill out paper job applications and there is no such thing as a typing class, it is now called a computer class. What is truly important in our children’s education? How can we measure the divide? Children who are underprivileged should be given help to have the same opportunities as other children, however I do not think that it starts with a laptop for every child; it starts with the basics and then redesigning the education system so they have a chance to make it.
“Developing countries will face a difficult future without similar investments. The gap between rich and poor countries worsens as the digital divide widens.” There is a consensus that technology is a priority and a staple in order for these countries to survive and there are many parts of the world that are making that transition very smoothly. However, much bigger issues need to be addressed before giving each child their own laptop.
As discussed in class, you cannot function without water or food. You need the basics first. Once you have the basics, there is room to grow and adapt. There is obvious gaps that need to be filled in but you can‘t put the cart before the horse. Once these countries have established a basis of basics, then it is up to them to continue to grow and develop into an internet community. The article Children Falling into the Digital Divide, discuses how if third world countries want to make it to the big leagues, they need to become computer literate. It does not talk about have one laptop per each child, it talks about the basics.
In focusing on our own country, I think that we also need to focus on the basics. If we could get the same number of computers into each school and the same amount of computer instruction from teachers, I think that this would be a great start. Give each student an opportunity to have it at school. Come up with after school programs that give students who do not have laptops at home the chance to play around on the computers and teach them things that they would otherwise be oblivious to in life. Set a standard of papers done in class as to give them the opportunity to work on them, as they would not be able to otherwise. Another idea that came up was the point of checking out laptops at the library or having a standard GPA to maintain having one. Start small and work big. Start with food and water, and then work into each child having the same opportunities.
It would take quite a bit of resources, public and private, but I think that we should bring up everyone together. You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink. The same goes for children, present them with the same opportunities and let them choose what they want to do with their life. Start small by fixing America’s digital divide first, and then conquer the rest of the world.
Koss, Fabian (2001). Children Falling into the Digital Divide. Journal of International Affairs, 55 No. 1, Retrieved March 4, 2009, from http://www.iadb.org/ethics/Documentos/abs_kos_onchi-i.pdf
