The Digital Divide
According to the article Digital Inequality, Hargittai & Hsieh explain the digital divide exists in three capacities or levels:
1. Access
2. Range of activities and skill development for diverse web based tasks
3. Range of social activity and skills
(Hargittai & Hsieh, 2013)
The digital divide exists in terms of access as not all people have the same level of access. That is, some students will have access to devices and internet at home while others do not. Access could be in terms of accessibility of information or the language web pages are written in. For instance, there is a plethora of information in English whereas it is limited in French. Students who have broad access to digital text and web based activities will develop better digital literacies then those who do not have as much exposure. We must take into consideration all levels of digital literacy and access in order to promote inclusion in the classroom.
It would be a disservice to students to omit digital text and web based activities from the classroom experience. Without skills in digital literacy students will not have the same potential for employment opportunities, advancement, or social activities. This is a difficult obstacle for the aging population in the workforce who might be uncomfortable dealing with computers in an environment that is shifting to a paperless system.
The digital divide can be furthered when students are not given enough scaffolding in class and parents are required to assist with technology. Some parents might be tech savvy while others lack access and information. This increases the digital divide as students with support will accelerate their learning while students who have limited support or access will be put at a disadvantage.
It is important to reflect on the digital divide and take it into account when creating inclusive classrooms. Knowledge of digital text and web activities will help increase digital literacies which will empower students. This offers students increased choice regarding how to access and present ideas, e.g. a podcast or video.
Skills and abilities will increase confidence in students and encourage them to investigate various types of digital text and activities. Students will learn skills that enable them to take advantage of technologies and interact socially on the internet. It will allow students to flourish and reduce the likelihood that students will get frustrated when navigating the internet. Any frustration could cause students to shut down. Digital literacy will increase opportunities for students and help limit the digital divide.
Check out our collaborative document for inspiration:
Do you feel uncomfortable using technology or are you unsure about your own digital literacy? Visit www.digitalliteracies.ca to explore teaching digital literacies with support from your peers.
Works Cited
Hargittai, E., & Hsieh, Y. P. (2013). Digital Inequality. Oxford Handbooks Online.
Image by Rebeca Zuñiga. The Digital Divide. Retrieved from on March 27, 2017 from https://www.flickr.com/photos/rzuniga/15639365627/in/photolist-pPZQwX-puBac4-agfckv-8vEXjo-oqWKWd-dBy6sa-nW2cYz-8vEXd9-cT1bFj-8vBWaH-dyLV8X-777HvY-agfcpX-9dTsfj-8vEXtU-83cdif-8vEXmG-4gGbQD-pr7fAh-56eizp-8vEXbY-82pZf2-pr7f57-8vBVYn-8vEXpw-pHgYFM-985RTA-qyum5f-7oM3GZ-pHA1Sq-dSGevs-777Bdj-GZtUN3-bvUtz6-8vBVWt-8vBW9D-4dGi72-oecWvD-jXikfP-nUBJqR-oc3dnm-yH7TT-6epRuP-8nuRYS-obNRRX-8niybU-odSQ4v-odTeAa-nUBxBX-obZg9j
PED3119A. (2017). Collaborative Document on Recommended Strategies for Teaching Digital Skills in 1:1 Contexts of Instruction. Retrieved on March 27 from https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1GJp1WJh9FgnLQ0_tgsEh_YUvDz0CHWKIwuvxfC3WY5s/edit#slide=id.p
PED3119A. (2017). Collaborative Document on Recommended Strategies for Teaching Digital Skills in BYOD Contexts of Instruction. Retrieved on March 27, 2017 from
PED3119A. (2017). Collaborative Document on Recommended Strategies for Teaching Digital Skills in Computer Lab-based Contexts of Instruction. Retrieved on March 27, 2017 from
