American Digital Divide

[Jerry Cobbs]

It seems as though many of the exciting things being done with open-source in education is happening in other countries. Places such as Macedonia, Brazil, and Chile have ambitious programs aimed at creating a 1:1 computer/student ratio. These programs are generating some wonderful out-of-the-box thinking with thin-client networks, multi-user configurations, recycled hardware, store-and-forward Internet access, cloud computing, mesh networking, the list goes on and on. Meanwhile here in the States we so often seem content to keep doing what we've been doing, seemingly unaware of the limitations of our approach and of the untapped potential within our own borders.

Why do we seemingly lag behind in pursuing the creative approach to technology that other nations have taken? Here are some thoughts:

One would think that this country's affluence would expand our choices when it comes to technology. Paradoxically, I believe it serves to limit them. We don't think outside the box because we don't have to. Off-the-shelf technology is readily available. It doesn't require much creativity on the part of tech professionals to outfit a computer lab when brand new hardware and shrink-wrapped software are easily obtainable. On the other hand, it does require more money.

Often our educational bureaucracy serves to hinder creative approaches and favor "more of the same." Schools and school districts often have pre-approved vendor lists which serve to simplify purchasing, so long as one sticks to the list.

School technology approaches and attitudes may be in some measure derived from business technology models. Business models have two significant differences from schools; one, they usually have more money to work with; and two, technology costs can be passed on as a cost of doing business. Businesses may be willing to forego unusual or creative technologies in order to stick with what works.

Shouldn't our schools be places where creative thinking and new ideas are encouraged alongside teaching the tried-and-true? And shouldn't technology especially be an area where new approaches are the norm, not the exception?

I'm afraid that our emphasis on the "same old, same old" may be contributing to the so-called "digital divide" in this country. Too often our options are between having the latest off-the-shelf technology or none at all. If we are willing to open our eyes to more options as other countries have done, we can fill in the digital divide with a range of options, and provide technology access to all our students.