The Digital Divide
A major problem that faces the world today is not the lack of technology, but rather the lack of its use. The Digital Divide is the curse put upon the modern technological world. People often will not have physical access to technology, such as the internet, or will just not use it. The reason for not using the technology could have many different causes. Gurstein discusses some of the causes and possible solutions for preventing the way people do not get effective use out of their technology. There is often too much of a stress on the access to ICTs rather than the use of them. Just because someone not only has access to an ICT and uses it, does not mean that they are doing so efficiently and maximizing their productivity. People must learn to use a device the right way, not just satisfactory. There is many times a lack of knowledge on how to use an ICT because there was also a lack of training. One main problem is the ICTs are not fully designed to be used in the ways that people expect them to be used. Some people personally decide that they do not want to use technology, even when technology is easily available. This could probably be avoided in many situations by bringing technology to an easier level with user friendly applications that suit the needs of people much better. In the end, the result is the same. Those who do not have access and those who do not have effective use will all be at a major disadvantage. Information is the most valuable substance on earth, communication is the way to spread it, and technology is the driving force behind it. If people do not know how to use these powerful abstract ideas to their advantage, then they will be inherently slower, less efficient, and all around worse off than those who have the technical ability, know-how, and motivation.
According to Warschauer, not only using ICTs effectively is important, but also understanding how to use technology to start with is a necessity. He argues that information literacy is crucial to be able to use ICTs. There are many places that have access to the technology and have adequate funding, but still have seen no improvement in productivity and usage due to the simple fact that the users do not have fundamental knowledge on how to properly use the resources to their advantage. Children seem to be the best at adapting to new technology, as seen in his description of the kiosks in the city. While they may be able to learn how to use the technology, they still do not necessarily know how to do so effectively as to increase performance and help them accomplish tasks. Some children would only use the computers as a means of entertainment. In my own personal experience, I have seen the lack of literacy cause major problems with the use of technology. The one thing that frustrates me more than anything is seeing someone wanting a computer that does not know how to use one. I get very depressed when someone asks me about how to make their computer faster, better, etc. when they do not even know how to use it. Some people just want a "better" computer for the sake of being better. If they think that a more updated computer with a better graphics card, more memory, and a bigger hard drive will make them more productive they are sadly mistaken. I have met so many people who will spend thousands of dollars on a new top-of-the-line gaming PC that is 100 times more powerful than they will ever need for playing solitaire and checking their email. What saddens me is that I also meet people who have the technical knowledge and need to use such PCs for gaming, video editing, programming, etc. and get full use out of them who are stuck with inferior computers because they cannot afford them. This mismatch between access, literacy, and need is a horrible thing. I have seen how the great literacy divide can be problematic first hand. In my old school, there were many computers, but there was a lack of training on how to use them. I would often help out and point out easier ways to accomplish simple tasks because there just were not enough knowledgeable people on the subject matter. This is a perfect example because there was in no way a funding problem, as a giant addition was added to the school. Rather, the problem was simply the education in the technological field. It was as if there were the groups of those that did not use ICTs, those who did in inefficient ways, and the few elitists that would master the use of them. Using the suggestions Warschauer gives, these problems can be fixed. Knowledge is not only power, but it can be given freely. We must spread knowledge so everyone can be literate enough to use ICTs effectively in order to eliminate the digital divide.
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