In a report done by the University of Chicago titled, “UChicago CCSR Report Finds ‘Digital Divide’ in Technology Use Across Chicago Public Schools”, it discusses tendencies and connections found within schooling establishments. The study was done using students in the grades between six and twelfth within the Chicago area. An amazing twenty to thirty percent of students where said to have rarely used technology in schools, if at all. However, the majority from the same group of students reported having computers and the access to internet at home. Personal computers in homes are becoming traditional, while computers and other technologies remain a rarity in many public schools. The digital divide between school and home is negatively reinforcing our youth abuse computers for social media rather than beneficial learning tools.
The report done was conducted by randomly choosing a broad selection of Chicago’s schools. Public and private schooling establishments greatly varied in the use and implementation of varying technologies. The widespread use of computers in private schools was common, however in neighboring public schools only around half of all students say to have never used technology in school.
The reason for these skewed numbers, is a result of from inconsistent school funding throughout the city. This forces the each schools’ principal to make it their primary duty to take into account the school’s budget and determine what beneficial investments must be made. The fact that all forms of innovative technologies are so costly amplifies the importance and scrutiny of each investment made.
Separate reports also show that large investments made in advancing technology in schools rarely result in corresponding test scores by their students. This dilemma facing all school officials is ongoing and can easily be solved with increased school funding along with good leadership. Other solutions don’t necessarily require large investments. With regards to varying school’s access to particular forms of technology, all learning mediums can be used more efficiently.
It shouldn’t be expected that each child has access to a personal computer, however it is becoming a necessity to acquire some form of computer literacy. Schools from the elementary level, all the way to high school are recognizing and adapting to this norm. Teachers are beginning to assign group projects that require online collaboration, requiring that reports be turned in electronically, and even use tools such as Powerpoint to create functional presentations.
Computer comprehension is already a requirement to most jobs. This demands schools to prepare their students with the tools they need to succeed in work and further schooling. With diverse funding to schools in separate demographic regions it creates a digital divide which is an advantage for some and a disadvantage for many others. Blame for this unfairness is often put on the lack of school funding. Having said that, teachers are the ones that should be held responsible for giving their students appropriate computer comprehension as best they can.
Below is the link to report done by UChicago:
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