The Digital Divide

The digital divide refers to the amount of access you have to the Internet. It includes the barriers or factors that influence you access as well. These include gender, age, race, income, education, infrastructure and location. These factors either give you more or less access to the Internet and can determine how well you perform in educational settings. It also refers to your knowledge an interaction with the technology.

The digital divide is split up into levels because there is a level of access and a level of knowledge of use. Initially the digital divide was only referring to access to the Internet. The second level refers to your knowledge of the Internet and how you use the technology. This is people who use the information passively versus those who create content and really interact with the technologies. It is split into levels to determine what contributes to those who have more or less Internet access.

I believe the location bridge is most promising to overcoming the digital divide because ultimately, the more available the Internet, the more people will interact with it. If you are surrounded by the Internet, you will be forced to learn how to use it comfortably. We have already started to cross this bridge with Internet access being available to us almost everywhere we go.

I feel like my lesson plans do challenge the digital divide. The majority of my lesson plans use technology as a complement to lesson, not the entire lesson. I have students moving around doing hands-on activities then taking what they learned and using the technology on the computer. I allow plenty of time for the assignment and have students work in groups so those who are not up to speed can learn from those who are.

I would add the importance of having a positive attitude about technology to this list. If you are afraid of the technology yourself, you won’t be able to teach the entire class. It is important to point out the positive influences technology 

Week 11: Online Classes

I would let my son or daughter take a class on FLVS. The way I look at it is it isn't much different from taking online classes in college. If taught correctly, you can get as much out of a virtual class as you can out of a nonvirtual class. I have taken a class on FLVS in high school. The class allowed me to complete a requirement and enabled me to take an extra class I was more interested in during school. Taking an online course gives students the opportunity to focus on classes they are most interested in while in the classroom. In addition, technology is expanding and providing more ways to interact with students online. The online classroom is a suitable envirionment for a students' needs.

However, I would not let child go to high school full-time online, unless he or she is pursuing something academically, such as traveling, that would not allow him or her to be in a high school setting. There is value in classroom teaching. It is important for students to interact with other students to develop social skills. Going to school online full time does not provide the same interactions. Not only to you learn to interact with peers, but you also learn how to properly interact with adults. High school is an experience that I believe is important for children to have. During these years you grow up, and there is value in being surrounded by people constantly during the day. In addition, you have the opportunity to receive attention in a classroom setting that you may not get online.

Today, copyright is a big issue in schools. Unfortunately, technology only makes it easier. I would use serious analogies to get the point across to students. I think is in important to teach a lesson on copyright. I believe part of the problem is students just don't know the rules. At the beginning of the year I would dedicate a lesson to teaching copyright. Analogies make the issue real. For example, ask the class who owns a car. Then explain what would happen if someone took that car. Describe the legal process, ask students how they would feel and what they feel the proper punishment would be. Then, explain how copyright isn't much different. Yes, some students will still cheat, but there are some who would walk away from this lesson with a better understanding of their responsibilities when it comes to copyright. It will be clear that those who do not abide by the rules will have to face the consequences.