Digital Divide

Levin,D. and Arafeh, S, "The Digital Disconnect." 2002
American Institute for Research. Retrieved May 7,2010, from:
http://caret.iste.org/index.cfm

This article summarized information received from a study conducted by the American Institute for Research about the attitudes of Internet-using public middle and high school students in relation to schoolwork and learning that can take place online. The information was gathered from 200 essays submitted by students from diverse focus groups in DC, Detroit and San Diego.
The study indicated that students relied on the internet for virtual textbooks, reference, tutoring,study groups, a virtual guidance counselor and virtual locker, backpack, and notebook.
The report also states that students believe limited access to internet integration is a result of the following:
School Adminstrators who set the tone, wide variation of teacher policies and training, lack of home access to computers.
Although I am not familiar with the authors or the Institute specifically, I did retrieve the information from Caret - a credible source. The authors took into account the need for a racial and gender diverse focus group. I would have liked more specific information about the locations - DC and Detroit could be very similar whereas San Diego is not. The article is also dated. I would have preferred an article in the last 2 years.
I did not find this information profound. Perhaps because it is dated the information seemed obvious.


Ellis, Ken. "Trading Books for Bytes: Union City Public Schools." January 24, 2003
The George Lucas Educational Foundation. 2003
http://www.edutopia.org/union-city-public-schools

Annotation:
This short video features a group of Chicago teachers visiting a school district in New Jersey for the purpose of seeing first hand how a school district can quickly reverse failing test scores and student achievement to become one of the most successful districts in New Jersey. It features testimony from teachers, students and parents to illustrate how using technology immediately improved performance. It justified crossing the digital divide with amazing success stories.

Filmed in 2003, this video is a objective, documentary style feature. The author compiles independent accounts and collects the test scores from school administrators. I believe it is still relevant and although the technology itself would be outdated the point made about the Digital Divide is still purposeful.

I found the clip inspirational because it connects all people needed for student success with technology. It includes teachers who admit to being the immigrants who had been direct teaching for years and are loving the changes. This story is not just about students happy about achieving but teachers are happy about achieving. I love what the interviews say about student and web based projects vs. traditional teacher centered textbook learning.

Trading Books for Bytes:Union City Public School/ Union City ,New Jersey