Equality Pro
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Liberty / Equality / Property / Participation / Surveys / Notre Dame Web Group / Teaching Tool Contact Us / Other Groups / Public Private Home / Definitions |
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Introduction |
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In a recent survey 60% agreed
that the government should help to bridge the large digital divide in
this country. The digital
divide is defined as the gap between the “haves” and the
“have-nots” when it comes to internet access.
Way too many organizations have spent way too much money trying to figure out something that is easily recognizable: people who make less money are less likely to own a computer and surf the net. Most people would look at this and think, ok but why should my tax dollars go to help pay for someone else to have a computer or internet service. Having a computer, after all, is a luxury. Or is it? In today’s world our lives are centered around computers. Most every commercial or advertisement now shows their “AOL Keyword” to allow users to access their web page easily. In today’s world not understanding a computer can put a person at a serious disadvantage when it comes to jobs. |
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Historical Precedence | |||||||||||||||
If
the government chose to continue the programs that were instituted
during http://www.nd.edu/%7Eamcadams/CAPP485/discussion_topics_frames.htm |
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Job Search
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In today’s economy there are very few jobs that do not require basic computer skills. If we have any chance of bridging the general economic gap in our society we must work at giving people the skills they need to advance in their careers. Furthermore, when someone has access to the internet, not only do they have the ability to acquire basic computer skills but they can also take classes online without disrupting their life. A parent can watch children and work around the family’s schedule while taking classes simultaneously. Also, it would not be necessary to quit another job because the classes could be done on one’s own time. | |||||||||||||||
Economic Gap
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Obviously those households with higher incomes are more likely to have computers with internet access in their homes. Everyday the gap between the rich and the poor in this country is growing. There are things more basic that each family needs such as, shelter and food, but ultimately education is the only thing that is going to help. We need to start now with this generation of children and educate them with the internet. | |||||||||||||||
Links |
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http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/digitaldivide_quotes000722.html
“I believe the [online] revolution has the
strong potential to effect, in a very short time, structural, economic and
social changes comparable to the Industrial Revolution.”
http://www.ed.gov/Technology/digdiv.html
http://search.ntia.doc.gov/pdf/fttn00.pdf
http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/content/sections/about.cfm http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/content/stories/index.cfm?key=168 http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/dn/ Other sites that might be of interest:
http://www.empoweramerica.org/stories/storyReader$206
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