The original article about the Digital Divide is located at: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/digital-divide-technology-internet-access-mary-beth-hertz
After reading the articles for class, there is clearly a digital divide. It is interesting to look at technology from this light. There is clearly a digital divide throughout society today because there are people without internet and perhaps without a computer in 2011. We cannot simply assume that everyone has access to these types of technologies. As educators integrating technology into the classroom is a fabulous transition into the technology millennium we are in. However, we need to be cautious when asking parents to use this technology at home for instance when assigning homework. When asking students to use technology when in the classroom and possibly for homework, we need to build that possible time into our lessons where students have access to technology during school hours in case of a scenario where a student does not have access to technology outside of school. Some solutions to this divide, as used in the Colorado article, are allowing students to use cell phones in school because the data shows that those without internet access at home typically have access to internet via their cell phones. While I agree that this school is integrating technology to relate to the "real world" where cell phones are a valid tool to access internet, I do not agree with usage in school especially at the high school level. How can you control the access of internet sites and text message that may also be used during this time? I think it is more of a distraction than supportive in the classroom. While I agree with the Waldof schools using more hands-on approach and not using technology when it comes to learning, I do feel that there needs to be a balance between technology and hands-on learning. Essentially, students need both to learn. In the real world you are using both techniques in order to learn - hands-on and technology, so why not create a balance in the classroom to teach these real-world connections to students?
