Addressing The Digital Divide/Discussion

 

Over the next few weeks, we will take a look at some important contemporary social problems in order to get us in the habit of thinking from an interdisciplinary social science perspective.

This week, we will explore the Digital Divide as a social justice issue.

View the video at the following link to learn more about the Digital Divide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X537MiN6COI

Next, read the following article about the global digital divide, paying careful attention to the introduction, discussion and conclusion while skimming over the methodology and analysis sections.

Ayanso, A., Cho, D. I., & Lertwachara, K. (2014). Information and Communications Technology Development and the Digital Divide: A Global and Regional Assessment. Information Technology For Development, 20(1), 60-77. doi:10.1080/02681102.2013.797378

PURL:http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=2&sid=80ba7f87-2879-409d-9670-4181ca6167d6%40sdc-v-sessmgr04

After reviewing these resources, respond to the following questions:

1) What are some of the important issues that need to be considered when discussing the Digital Divide? Generate a list of items and when you have submitted your response, look and see what your classmates have identified as issues in their responses.

2) How might social scientists from different disciplines talk about these issues? For example, what questions would a psychologist ask compared to an anthropologist? What issues would be the focus of a sociologist? How might a gerontologist frame this problem? What other social scientists might be interested in this issue?

3) What are some potential controversies inherent in this issue? Think about why this social problem might be difficult to solve. Are there gaps in our knowledge? Lack of resources? Opposing political views regarding funding? Think broadly and from an interdisciplinary perspective in order to respond to this question.

4) Where does the solution lie? Are there policies that need to be changed or enacted to resolve the issue? Are there programs or services that might help to close the digital divide? What agencies or industries are best equipped to help?

For this discussion, I’d really like to see this be a conversation among peers. That is, I want to see you come up with your initial thoughts, but then read and provide comment to the ideas of your classmates so that we can generate a rich and fruitful discussion. This kind of brainstorming and discussion ultimately makes for better solutions.

Remember to keep the discussion respectful and recognize that there may be differences of opinion, but we are here to learn and broaden our perspectives.