The Digital Divide

The “digital divide” refers to the gap between

those that have (or lack) access to computers
and the Internet.
 Digital Inclusion
focuses on how information and communication technology (ICT)
affects individuals,
communities and countries
The Objective: Social Inclusion

The Strategy: Individual and Community Empowerment

The Tools: Enabling Technologies

> computers, networks, software, the Internet
 This Approach Asks:
• What social and political barriers to technology access and literacy exist?

• How does technology affect human rights, civic participation, and social inclusion?

• How does technology affect economic development?

 Digital Inclusion Assumptions
• Technology should combat social exclusion, not reinforce it

• “Access” is not about computers and the Internet--it’s about social

inclusion and equity

• Technology can have a profound economic and social impact on

communities--
“one cell phone”
 Why is Digital Inclusion Critical?
Economic & Social Realities:
• Participation in the global, knowledge-based economy requires the
ability to access and manage information

• Underserved, marginalized communities have the most to gain, the most

to lose

• Technology literacy, like literacy itself, is an essential prerequisite to

social inclusion
 Critical Drivers of ICT Use
ICT = information & communication technology

• E-mail, Search, Maps

• News
• Access to online job listings,
applications
• Educational use, online learning
• Online transactions (travel,e-bay,
banking, etc.)
• e-government services (taxes,
licenses)
• Health information
• Civic engagement & e-democracy
• User generated content-blogs,
websites, music sharing
 Persistent barriers include:

• Limited technology
literacy skills
• Anxiety, fear of
technology tools--
Limited education, low
literacy levels
• Language &
accessibility barriers
• Irrelevant content
• Affordable broadband
service
• Cost of entry
(hardware)
 Digital Inclusion Strategies

• Improve Access/ Connectivity

Provide broader access to the
Internet, lower cost of entry
(municipal wireless??)

• Develop content that is accessible,

relevant and contextual

• Increase Technology Literacy

Help groups and individuals use
technology to do what THEY want
to do, address underlying social
factors
Off-line ?
“Don’t Need it. Not Interested in it, really??
Too Much (useless) Information?
 Content MATTERS
• Lack of local information
• Provide practical information focusing on local community
• Literacy Barriers
• Develop information at a basic literacy level
• Language Barriers
• Online translation tools
• Information in native languages
• Lack of Cultural Diversity
• Provide Relevant health, social and cultural information
Literacy and Accessibility
 Technology Literacy Is…

The ability to responsibly, creatively,

and effectively use appropriate
technology to:

communicate;
access, collect, manage, integrate,
and evaluate information;
solve problems and create solutions;
build and share knowledge; and

 improve and enhance learning in all

subject areas and experiences.
Improving Technology Literacy
Human qualification is critical to
improving technology literacy skills.

Best practices include:

Explain technology
Provide time and space to experiment
Build knowledge through incremental
successes
Create relevant, project-based workshops
Encourage peer learning, mentoring
Involve learners in program design
 Social Networks & Technology Literacy

• Weak social networks=low tech literacy within communities

• telecenters address both ACCESS and TECH LITERACY gaps --

and create social networking opportunities

• Neighborhood-based community technology centers, not

labs or computer rooms
 Digital Inclusion <is linked to> Social Inclusion

Both require

• Civic & Social Participation

• Access to Education, Literacy

• Economic Self-Sufficiency
(individual)

• Economic Development
(community)
 21st Century Civic Engagement

• Small groups look BIG on the ‘net--

new opportunities for citizen groups

• Easier access to elected representatives,

more opportunity for public discourse
(e-democracy)

• Greater access to government

information and legislation, increased
transparency
Coming Soon!
Better Brains?

• Human brains like stimulation, more synapses firing!~!! We

seem to enjoy multi-tasking-- are we evolving??

• We have a generation of multimedia readers and writers

who prefer a combination of
• Audio
• Visual
• Text
 Left Brain, Right Brain, New Brain

• The Internet is nothing less than the equivalent of a

phonetic alphabet

• The human brain is once again evolving to a new level

• Students are acquiring new, desirable skills

• Networking
• Associative Logic
• Graphic Literacy
• Information Space
• Multi-tasking

Rodney Riegle, P.h.D

http://www.coe.ilstu.edu/rpriegle/wwwdocs/evolution.htm.
 Digital Inclusion
-ensures greater social, civic, educational and economic
participation
-expands (improves)& diversifies networks