Return-Path: <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id eA8M0l919522; Wed, 8 Nov 2000 17:00:47 -0500 (EST) Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2000 17:00:47 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <2B972331928CD311A76300A0C9D335B736F9B9@exchmail.crec.org> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: Ajit Gopalakrishnan <agopalak@crec.org> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-technology@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-TECHNOLOGY:1408] Digital Divide - A Skills or Access Divide? X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2448.0) Status: O Content-Length: 3514 Lines: 69 Yesterday on NPR's All Things Considered, conservative thinker Dinesh D'Souza gave a 3 minute commentary on the Digital Divide. You can listen to his commentary (Real Audio File) at http://www.npr.org/ramfiles/atc/20001107.atc.13.rmm In his commentary, he argues that the Digital Divide is really a skills divide and not one of access. He mentions that five years ago when computers cost $2500, he could understand that many could not afford it. However, today with computer costs coming down and used computers costing as much as a television, and with cheap to free Internet access, he says that the issue is not one of access but of skills/knowledge. He mentions that getting Internet access today is liken to getting telephone access or television access. He also makes the point that internet access is available at public schools and libraries and that someone who wants Internet access can get it. As a means of solving this problem, he goes on to argue that we must teach the young people of today not only how to use the technology but also its value in the new world. Did any of you hear this commentary? If so what did you think? My Views: He portrays the digital divide ONLY as a skills divide. I disagree with that view. To me that is exemplified by the struggle adult education programs have to go through to gain Internet access in their programs. Many times, they are barred from accessing the computer labs with Internet access that are housed in the very same public school building that they are housed in, and are used with the "young people" that Dinesh D'Souza talks about. In Connecticut (as is probably not uncommon nationwide), programs have had to remind, advocate, and lobby with their local public school districts to be included in their school-district wide networking initiatives or technology purchasing initiatives, from which they are typically excluded. Why do I talk about program access? Because for adult education programs to educate people on technology, which I agree with Dinesh D'Souza is the way to liberation for many, adult education programs need to have access first..... and that IS an issue today. Hopefully, with initiatives like the CTC and our commitment to technology planning, access won't be an issue in the near future. Yes, theoretically access should not even be an issue in a country as affluent as this one. For that matter, many other issues like health insurance also should not even be an issue.... but they are... because (I believe) of fear, prejudice, and power. Another question is "where" is the access. I don't believe that having access ONLY through the public libraries or schools is sufficient. The technology definitely needs to be part of the home and I am not convinced that the technology is as affordable as Dinesh D'Souza makes it out to be. Lastly, I would like to say that when stating his problem of how Blacks and Hispanics are not accessing the Internet as much as Whites and Asians are, I am not sure if Dinesh D'Souza is referring to adults or "young people". However, when he proposes the solution of skills education, he only makes mention of educating the young people and says nothing about adults. I am also not sure what his views are on who should pay for the education/skill building that he talks about. Ajit Ajit Gopalakrishnan Capitol Region Education Council 111 Charter Oak Avenue Hartford, CT 06106 Phone: (860) 524-4036 Fax: (860) 246-3304 Email: agopalak@crec.org Web Site: http://www.crec.org/atdn/
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