The digital divide is unequal access to computers and internet, by race, income and education. It is inequality with regard to quantity and quality of computer equipment in schools as well as ways computers are used to educate children. Warschauer et al argue that this term may no longer be applicable because gaps are gradually decreasing as a higher percentage of people in the US purchase home computers or obtain access elsewhere. Warschauer et al found that low SES students use computers more than high SES students in math and english where computer based drills are common. The emphasis was on remedial or vocational uses for Black and Hispanic students. High SES students are main users of technology in science coursess where computers are often used for simulations and research. The emphasis was more academic for White and Asian students.
In chapter 6, Richardson describes Diigo, the social bookmarking service. I would use Diigo to teach ELL students how to research by bookmarking sites relevant to the subject. An ELL student might be overwhelmed by the amount of information on the web. Diigo is a way of organizing the information on the web to make it less intimidating. The Diigo features I find beneficial are: saves the page, add tags to the page, web based, and can make access private.
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Hi Patty, I have heard of the digital divide, we talk about it at work. I only knew it dealt with is technology. I now have another new outlook of what it is or to become regarding ELLs. Like I told my son, you just cant keep up with technology. It changes so rapidly. I have not hear of Diigo but it does have potential to help ELLs become organized online.
ReplyDeleteHi, Patti, it is a good idea to encourage students use Diigo to organize information on the web. For example, it is helpful to do a lasting research because the bookmarking sites always renew and tell user update news. And it is also beneficial for separating information for different subjects or goals.
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