Carroll County Times Articles
The Digital Divide – CompuKids Building a Bridge
by Lynn Karr – October 22, 2006
There are many factors that affect a student's ability to succeed academically, laying the foundation for future success. In addition to the familiar socio-economic, gender, race, and physical factors that obviously impact our children, we now have the "digital divide" adding its consequences.
Knowledge and Ability to Use Technology
The term digital divide refers to the discrepancy that exists between people who have access to and the resources to use new information and communication tools, such as the Internet, and those who do not. It also refers to the gap between those who do and do not have the skills, knowledge and abilities to use the technology. It has become increasingly relevant as the world becomes more dependent on digital technologies in all aspects of life.
Bridging the Gap
If we want Carroll County's children to become full participants in society and in our future labor force, it becomes imperative that we bridge this gap. For generations, success depended on access to schooling, safe neighborhoods and a job market that could sustain the local population. Now, however, access to technology has become essential for full participation in the global economy. Who is going to hire those people who have not learned how to utilize the technology that has become commonplace to others?
A recent report issued by the U.S. Department of Education showed that only 37 percent of students in families with incomes below $20,000 have computers in their homes, compared with 88 percent of families with incomes over $75,000. Put this up against the fact that many teachers are now requiring students to do Internet research, submit papers electronically, or use spreadsheet programs, slide presentations, etc.
Sure, students can go to libraries to get their schoolwork done, but other problems ensue: time and energy for a single parent to accompany a child to the library; getting reliable transportation to the library; waiting in line to get access to a computer, etc. It can create more barriers for families who already face daunting obstacles every day.
CompuKids Program
CompuKids, a program of the Carroll Technology Council, takes donated computer equipment and places it in homes of at need school-aged children in Carroll County. To be eligible for a computer, recipients must show proof of U.S. citizenship, as well as residency in Carroll County.
Because of partnerships in the community that work with CompuKids, there is more to it than merely donating a computer. Carroll Tech Council provides a brief introductory session, assuring that the families are able to set up their computers properly when they get them home, and can access a tutorial about their computer. Adults in the families are offered a non-credited class in basic computer usage at Carroll Community College. Carroll County Public Library gives them one year of Internet through a dial-up account.
With these parts put into place, the children can now do research for school projects right at home while parents are helping other children with homework or fixing dinner. Parents are able to improve their job skills by learning more about how to use a computer. They can also do job searches online, and create and submit their resumes through their computers. The potential economic outlook for these families has greatly improved.
About the Author
Lynn Karr is the Director of the Carroll Technology Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating businesses, government and residents about technology issues. Questions are welcomed and may be addressed in future articles. Email advisors@carrolltechcouncil.org or go to www.carrolltechcouncil.org for a list of Advisor categories.
The viewpoints expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Carroll Technology Council.
