The Digital Divide

                The Digital Divide is described as a boundary line of those who have access to the internet, and those that don’t.  This divide in many cases is economic.  There are those who can’t afford to have internet at home, and this creates a divide between those people that are computer literate and those that are not.  Being computer literate opens the world up to so many such as education, jobs and a vast amount of information.

                “To understand the role that libraries play in offering access to new media literacy technologies, a few key concepts must be defined. First is the concept of the digital native. Those born around 1980, who have essentially grown up with technology, are known as digital natives.9 Digital natives are expected to have a base knowledge of technology and to be able to pick up and learn new technology quickly because of that base knowledge. Digital natives have been exposed to technology from a young age and are adept at using a variety of digital technologies. The suggestion is that young people can quickly learn to make use of the new media and technology available in a specific location.”(1)

When children attend schools that offer computer education, the child learns about computer literacy.   My son, who is in kindergarten, goes to a computer lab that teaches them the basics about computers.  The lab also teaches them fun sites that are built around leaning.  One such site is http://www.starfall.com/  this site teaches reading and basic computer use along with fun games.

 The child can then apply the information learned about computers at other access points for the internet.  Libraries, both at public and school play a big part in the education of computer literacy.  The Poway Branch of the County of San Diego Library system has 19 computers for public access. (Per Karen, at the reference desk)  These computers allow anyone with a library card to access the internet for any reason, that doesn't break a law.  The Poway library also offers computer classes of varying ranges to assist its patrons. 

Between the public and school libraries, I believe that educators are doing their best to end any digital divide in the population.  I believe it will be easier as the Millennials go through the school system, and grow up modern technology.

(1)Thorne-Wallington, Elizabeth. "Social Contexts Of New Media Literacy: Mapping Libraries." Information Technology & Libraries 32.4 (2013): 53-65. Academic Search Premier. Web. 17 Apr. 2014.