This document discusses the digital divide and strategies for addressing it. It defines the digital divide as the gap between those who have access to new technologies and those who do not. The National Broadband Network is presented as a way to revolutionize education and bridge the divide in Australia. There are also alternative views that there are multiple divides or that the divide does not exist. Recommendations include developing a school committee to address the issue, getting community involvement, and providing additional support to struggling students.

1. CC Licensed (BY NC SD) by Luc Legay : http://www.flickr.com/photos/luc/2944876508/sizes/o/in/photostream/
Delving In To The Digital Divide....

2. CC Licensed (BY SA) by Clive Darr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/osde-
info/4179896028/
‘The discrepancy
between those who
do and do not have
access to new
information and
communication
technologies’
(Zhong, 2010, para 3).

3. CC Licensed (BY NC SA) by Judy Baxter:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/judybaxter/581328710/lightbox/
The NBN…
A new technology
which will
revolutionise
teaching and
learning in
Australia, and will
contribute
towards
bridging the
digital divide.

4. Some Problems….
Copyright 2012 Tagxedo.com

5. Alternative Viewpoints.
On The Digital Divide…
It does not exist
and
That there are several
divides instead of one
(Steyart, 2002, p. 5).
CC Licensed (BY SA) by Steve_h (no real name provided):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sbh/3830558092/sizes/l/in/photostream/

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How to effectively develop
digital literacy?
CC Licensed (BY NC) by s_falkow: ghttp://www.flickr.com/photos 57567419@N00
/6315269494/

7. Teachers need to
provide students with
equitable access to
technology within the
classroom…..
Just because everyone
gets a turn does not
mean equity is being
achieved (Swayne &
Pearson, 2011, p. 11).
CC Licensed (BY) by flickingerbrad:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/56155476@N08/6659976191/sizes/m/in/photostrea

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9. CC licensed (BY) by woodley wonderworks: http://www.flickr.com/photos
/73645804@N00/440672445/
Who Is Responsible For
Bridging The Divide?
• The Teachers?
• The Parents?
• The Students?
• The Wider
Community?
• The Government?

10. CC Licensed (BY NC SA) by Fiduz (No Real Name
Given): http://www.flickr.com/photos/61401915
@N08/5668493818/
Recommended Readings…
1. Black, R. and Atkinson, J. (2007). Addressing The
Digital Divide in Rural Australia. Southern Cross
University Printery, 45-62.
1. Curtin, J. (2001). A Digital Divide In Rural and
Regional Australia. Department of Parliamentary
Library, Canberra.
3. Henderson, R. (2011). Classroom Pedagogies,
Digital Literacies, and the Home-School Digital Divide.
International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning, 6(2),
152-161.
4. Valadez, J. (2007). Redefining the Digital Divide:
Beyond Access to Computers and the Internet. High
School Journal, 90(3), 31-44.
5. Warschauer, M (2004). Technology And Social
Inclusion: Rethinking the Digital Divide. MIT Press,
Massachusetts, USA.

11. Questions For Dicsussion…
1. What can the school do to ensure
students are developing the
knowledge, skills and attitudes
required to bridge the digital divide?
2. What measures can the school
take to get the community involved
in bridging the divide?
3. How can students, (particularly
those who are struggling) ensure
that they don’t get left behind?
CC Licensed (BY SA) by opensourceway:
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12. Recommendations
• The school should develop a committee or board to ensure effective measures are
being taken to bridge the digital divide (Trotter, 2000, p. 3).
• Members of the community including parents, students, and local MP’s should be
invited to partake in the committee in order to effectively develop solutions
(Trotter, 2000, p. 3).
• Teachers should actively request funds or resources from companies to provide
additional and up to date resources within the school (Swayne & Pearson, 2001, p.
13).
• Teachers should take an active role in identifying students who are struggling with
digital literacy and provide a remedial classes for students who require additional help
(Goldberg, 1976, p. 1).
• Students need to seek out opportunities for gaining access to and knowledge about
digital technologies. This may be employing a buddy system with a friend, visiting
places such as libraries, asking a teacher when unsure, or joining a technology-related
group or club within the community if applicable. (Spitzer, 2001, cited in
Khan, 2005, p. 156).