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MA ADA 2007 > articles > Rethinking the digital divide

Rethinking the digital divide

May 4, 10:48 PM · Jo Choi

There are always two sides of a coin. When there are endless debates and numerous projects about bridging the digital divide, ironically, some argue that children in developing countries are being harmed by over-access to technology, just like using calculator in black college – children using electronic devices are less likely to comprehend mathematical processes than those who come up with answers by working the problem out by traditional ways. It comes down to the issue regarding the proper use of technology. After all, what are the basic issues towards the digital divide?

Undoubtedly, benefits from those projects are undeniable. However, the contribution is just too narrow. The spread of information technology still cannot improve the quality of lives of the poor; hence Basu argues that it lacks sufficient sociological sophistication. Before introducing the technology, we have to know more about the background of the country, i.e. looking at it ‘ from the perception of someone living and being in the developing country rather than from outside .’ If most of the poor are actually living in villages, still walking on mountains without shoes, I probably agree with Basu that ‘it is not just about providing access but about providing usefulness of that access…the “access to ICT” does not denote use of ICT’. Western countries neglecting the reality and just selling the technology to the poor in order to empower their media imperialism resulting in cultural imperialism – all are the matter that we have to confront. (Dennis 1984)

How do the information technology improve their actual lives practically?

On Global Youth Service Day in Bangladesh, students taught a computer workshop to rural youth, many of whom had never seen a computer.

Meanwhile, to bridge the digital divide, we may have to ask one question: does the information poor themselves recognize the need and relationship between their living and technology? Obviously, the key to cater for this concern is to have technology available for them as part of their culture and daily environment. It is not only about building computer devices and accessing the internet, but comes to a basic concern: a technological culture around the poor. (Roulet 2006) Even without sufficient and high-tech equipment, it is vital to encourage them starting to engage with the barely technological resources so as to foster the culture of using technology in their daily life.

Going to schools without sufficient stationery + Playing computer in babyhood = Real digital divide!

References:
Dennis, Everette E. (1984). Basic issues in mass communication, New York: Macmillan; London: Collier Macmillan.

Lost in Cyberspace: Black college web sites struggle to keep pace. Source: The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, Spring 2002, No. 35, pp.51-53. Last accessed: 23.04.2007

Subhajit Basu (2007), Redefining the Digital Divide. Source: Queen’s University Belfast.
http://www.digitaldivide.net/articles/view.php?ArticleID=812 Last accessed: 23.04.2007

Norm Roulet (2006), The face of a tech native: looking across the digital divide. Source: http://www.realneo.us/face-of-a-tech-native Last accessed: 23.04.2007

 

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