The 21st century and its information revolution has forever changed communication, education and the job market. However, just like any advancement, someone gets left behind or struggles to keep up. The film and article for this blog addresses the issue of inequality in today's information society.
In Van Dijk's article the type of inequality is broken down into four major categories: Immaterial, Material, Social and Educational. (Van Dijk, 223). Starting with "immaterial"inequality, technological opportunity is influenced by life's chances and freedoms. In the video, unfortunately we can see that life's chances are not the same for everyone and freedom doesn't equal affordability!
"Material" inequality is influenced by capital (social, economic, cultural) and resources. In the video we learn that inner cities often do not have adequate technology in the schools to meet the needs of all the students. This means very limited access to technology (if any), along with many homes that do not have technology because it is simply unaffordable.
"Social" inequality refers to positions, power and participation. One large factor in this is motivation. What motivates student in certain cultures may not be what is needed to close the gap in the technology divide. As the video demonstrates, technology is only as good as its user. Computer literacy should not be considered more important than written literacy. Technology is simply a tool and an extension of the user's knowledge. However, to gain computer literacy a student must have access and availability of technology to participate in the information revolution or they face getting left behind.
"Educational" inequality is produced through the lack of capabilities and skills. The video brought forth an important point. A teacher had commented that while a small group of students is allowed to access the four computers in her classroom,the rest of her class is holding discussions and activities. The teacher has to divide her attention and focus into two groups. She stated that she would love to have computers for all her students and be able to instruct them on how to use a computer all at the same time. The pressing issue is why do some schools have more technology than others?
The lasting impact from technological inequality is the lack of computer skills necessary to attain jobs in this competitive job market. For those with little to no exposure to computers,they lack the knowledge and skills necessary for employment. Computer Technology Centers (CTC's) help take kids off the streets and give them the skills necessary to become marketable. Yet,the CTC's are limited to small periods of access (30 min's) at at time and it is simply not enough. More attention needs to be drawn to the technology divide to stimulate public access and provide adequate access for everyone to modern technology.
Works Cited:
Film: Virtual Equality: The Information Revolution and the Inner City (1999)
Van Dijk, J. A. G. M. (2006). Digital divide research, achievements and shortcomings. Poetics, 34(4-5), 221-235
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