According to Stanford University, the digital divide can be defined as the gap between people with effective access to digital and information technology and those with very limited or no access at all. The digital divide includes not only the imbalance dealing with physical access to technology but also the knowledge and skills required to effectively participate as a digital citizen in cyberspace which can be referred to as Critical Digital Literacy.
The purpose of our classes this month is to reflect on the concept of Digital Divide and understand the material and sociocultural disadvantages those excluded from the technological advances we have access to in our daily lives.
A: INTRODUCTION
Read the following entry by the University of Illinois and take notes:
1. What is the economic divide?
2. How are the economic and digital divides connected to each other?
B: POVERTY AND THE DIVIDE
Have a look at this video and share your opinion with a partner while you discuss the following questions:
1. Which aspects of being a child and being poor are depicted in the video?
2. Of all the metaphors used to describe the experience of a poor child, which is the one that made an impact on you?
3. Discuss the possible causes of poverty and look up for a definition in the web. Remember to quote your sources.
C: WHAT CAN BE DONE
Read this diagram and do some research into the "Hole in the Wall" project. Then answer the questions:
1. Who is Sugata Mitra?
2. What does the Hole in the Wall project consist on?
3. What is a S.O.L.E.?
D: CLOSING THE DIVIDE
Read the Bridging the Gap section of this website and discuss with a partner why it is so important to close the divide.
