Horton_Lisa_18626766_EDC101_Assessment_2
The digital divide is described as the difference between being able to afford digital technology and not being able too. Parents expect schools to bridge this divide of what they can afford, and what they would like for their children to learn. Employers are also looking for digitally aware employees: whether they are students looking for part time jobs or school leavers looking for a career in I.T (Howell, 2012, p. 55). Being digitally connected, means students can be connected to students in other parts of the world. There are many resource tools teachers can use to connect their students, one such tool is Global Read Aloud. Schools are connect over the internet and read the same book at the same time, and then post comments and answers to questions on their home page which others can read. http://globalreadaloud.wikispaces.com/
In Australia today, most our students are highly connected to the World Wide Web, and for that reason are said to be Digital Natives, (Howell, 2012, p. 57) or born into the digital world. They have no limitations, except cost and availability, in relation to being connected to the internet as most have mobile devices which keep them connected. Although, there is still a percentage of children who are not as technological: not able to use a laptop or PC, even texting or sending an email is beyond them.
The digital divide exists in our community, as teachers, integration staff and parents we must work together to bridge this gap. By teaching our children how to use and understand technology we offer them the opportunity to explore the world they live in via the internet and to make informed decisions about their lives.
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