Photo Credit to flickr: alexandraacosta1
We have made leaps and bounds in the age of new technology. When I was growing up in my childhood years I can remember playing a game called Atari. It was more like little dots and squares moving around the screen as you moved the joystick back and forth, and up and down. After Atari, the Nintendo was the next best thing. Shortly thereafter, we had the Super Nintendo. With each new game installment, the graphics became neater and more realistic. Now, we have moved on to the world of playstations. The graphics are so real that we now have more adults playing these games than children. Technology is fastly taking over the world of activity, entertainment, business, and education. Yet, there seems to be a digital divide between those who use the technology and those who don't. Some who don't care to use the new technology often times hesitate out of fear of not being electronicallly saavy while others financially cannot afford to keep up with every new digital device which hits the market. These two dilemmas eventually lead to digital inequality and the participation gap.
So, what is meant by these two terms, "digital inequality" and "participation gap"? Digital inequality refers to the users of technology who sometimes lack the access, independence, and ability to use the technology. They may have access to it when they are at school, but whenever they are home, they are not likely to have use the same technology. Therefore, their skills become very limited as they do not have access to practice or anyone to tutor them about the deeper levels of particular technology usage. (Sayparn, 2011) Henceforth, this leads to what is termed as a participation gap. Not everyone can participate in new technology because not everyone has unlimited access to these technologies. Because of the limited access to these new digital devices, many are left behind in the area of skill and competency. (Jenkins, 2008)
Tech Tool 12:1 (Teach with your iPad)
A website established at North Carolina State Universtiy provides strategies about using iPads in the classrooms. It also provides instructions about iPad apps and accessories. (http://teachwithyouripad.wikispaces.com)
Summary & Connection
Educators must do their best to help students who have limited access to newer technologies than their peers. Since much of what is learned today centers around technology and the internet, teachers have a great responsibility to try and level the playing field for those students who are less skilled and capable. Only by doing this will we be able to take significant steps forward in trying to bridge that gap between digital inequality.
Resources:
Jenkins, H., (2008) The Participation Gap: NEA. Retrieved 9 April 2014 from http://www.nea.org/home/15468.htm
Maloy, R.W., O'Loughlin, R.E.V., Edwards, S.A., Woolf, B.P. (2014) Transforming Learning With New Technologies. Boston, Massachuettes. Pearson
Sayparn, M., (2011) Instructional Technology: Digital Divide Versus Digital Inequality. Retrieved 9 April 2014 from http://maysayparn.wordpress.com/204/02/07/digital-divide-versus-digital-inequality
I like the way you introduce Mario as the change in technology and considering the digital divide. Our classrooms can be the only place that students have access to technology, but I think we are finding more and more places offer it via libraries, community centers, etc. Still, it needs to be a consideration when we look at creating 'equal' environments for our students.
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