INF 103 Computer Litercy Final Assignment
Final Assignment: The Digital Divide
Sheila Thompson
INF 103 - Computer Literacy
James McGivens
03/09/2015
The digital divide is considered the gap between those who are technologically inclined and those who aren’t. The internet has many uses and can simplify the way many everyday tasks are carried out. There are different points-of-view of how this affects our society and how the divide is gauged as well as how to bridge the divide internationally.
M.D. Bowles, author of our textbook, Introduction to Digital Literacy, explains the digital divide and how demographic, being underprivileged as well as those who live in underdeveloped countries play a part in the digital divide. The author goes on to state that factors such as age, income and educational attainment can influence an American adult 's access to the Internet.Those with disabilities are also less likely to use the Internet. Bowles refers to the old adage, "Knowledge is power." Bowes feels that ethical issues come to play in this digital divide because with this divide, the world would be split into two different categories, the “information-haves and have-nots”. Bowles feels that if there is a grand effort to bridge the gap by introducing all to the world of computers, then everyone can become digitally literate and the knowledge is shared amongst everyone equally. (Bowles, 2013.).
Like Bowles, I believe that there are ethical issues at stake here. Considering just about everything we do involves computers, it’s not fair that everyone doesn’t have access to technology. In some cases, however, some people that are considered underprivileged do not feel comfortable learning something new; Or rather an older citizen may be stuck in his/her archaic ways of processing things without using new technology. In these two cases, I feel our society can help by using lots more comparisons when it comes to the older aged citizens, to show them how much more convenient and effective the use of technology
Sheila Thompson
INF 103 - Computer Literacy
James McGivens
03/09/2015
The digital divide is considered the gap between those who are technologically inclined and those who aren’t. The internet has many uses and can simplify the way many everyday tasks are carried out. There are different points-of-view of how this affects our society and how the divide is gauged as well as how to bridge the divide internationally.
M.D. Bowles, author of our textbook, Introduction to Digital Literacy, explains the digital divide and how demographic, being underprivileged as well as those who live in underdeveloped countries play a part in the digital divide. The author goes on to state that factors such as age, income and educational attainment can influence an American adult 's access to the Internet.Those with disabilities are also less likely to use the Internet. Bowles refers to the old adage, "Knowledge is power." Bowes feels that ethical issues come to play in this digital divide because with this divide, the world would be split into two different categories, the “information-haves and have-nots”. Bowles feels that if there is a grand effort to bridge the gap by introducing all to the world of computers, then everyone can become digitally literate and the knowledge is shared amongst everyone equally. (Bowles, 2013.).
Like Bowles, I believe that there are ethical issues at stake here. Considering just about everything we do involves computers, it’s not fair that everyone doesn’t have access to technology. In some cases, however, some people that are considered underprivileged do not feel comfortable learning something new; Or rather an older citizen may be stuck in his/her archaic ways of processing things without using new technology. In these two cases, I feel our society can help by using lots more comparisons when it comes to the older aged citizens, to show them how much more convenient and effective the use of technology
References: Media Literacy for Older People facing the Digital Divide: The e-Inclusion Programmes Design. Diseño de programas de e-inclusión para al fa betización mediática de personas mayores. By: Abad, Leopoldo. Comunicar. ene2014, Vol. 21 Issue 42, p173-180. 8p. DOI: 10.3916/C42-2014-17. Revisiting the digital divide: Generational differences in technology use in everyday life. Van Volkom, Michele; Stapley, Janice C.; Amaturo, Vanessa; North American Journal of Psychology, Vol 16(3), Dec, 2014 pp. 557-574. Publisher: North American Journal Of Psychology; [Journal Article], Database: PsycINFO Bowles, M. D. (2013). Introduction to digital literacy. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.