The Technology Gap in Education: Advantages and Disadvantages

The Technology Gap in Education:

Advantages and Disadvantages

     There is no question that technology is becoming (if it isn’t already) a necessity in everyday life.  We are constantly using technology for the simplest of tasks without even thinking about it, it is as if technology is becoming a part of our human nature.  For example, I recently had a conversation with a ‘tweenager’ that told me they made delicious breakfast and they were able to do so by “Googling – How to make a sausage McMuffin” on their iPhone.  Though I do believe making a sausage McMuffin could have been achieved through a simple assessment of the ingredients, I actually had trouble wrapping my head around the fact that “Googling” this not only seemed to be an instant, almost natural solution but that the information was so accessible - problem solved in a matter of seconds.  The caused me to question, what about kids that do not have the same accessibility to technology?  Would 'Googling' to problem solve be second nature to them?  If there is a technological divide socioeconomically, I am certain there is a technological divide on an educational level as well.

The technology gap between schools of different economic means is a major issue, as a lack of access to and use of technology in education will inhibit students of the poorer schools from learning with tools that are rapidly becoming essential in everyday life.  This also impedes students from becoming comfortable with using technology and keeps them from forming a skill set that is normalcy to many other students their age.  The article, Digital Divide: The TechnologyGap between the Rich and Poor, gives insight to the availability of internet and technology of different ethnicities and the effect it has on urban/rural on an educational level.  According to the article previously mentioned, “Fifty-six percent of teachers in low income schools say that their students’ inadequate access to technology is a “major challenge” for using technology as a teaching aid” (Liz Soltan, Digital Divide).  Having suitable access to the internet and various technologies provides an enhancement to education and affords the students with this type of enhanced learning a significant advantage that will carry through the rest of their lives.  This divide causes an imbalance in education and leaves many students unprepared for their future as students and as professionals.  With technology quickly becoming an essential tool used in everyday life, it is a serious issue that so many students are at a disadvantage because of where they go to school.