Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
SlideShare a Scribd company logo

Managing Today's Digital Divide

•
•
Staci Trekles
Staci Trekles

Anastasia Trekles discusses the persistence of the digital divide, especially among low socioeconomic groups, older adults, women, and the disabled. She notes that physical access to technology is still linked to socioeconomic status and that motivation to learn digital skills depends on seeing a relevant use. Trekles advocates improving access through assistive technologies, self-paced learning resources, and relating skills to job or lifestyle needs. She recommends customized training, practice opportunities, and ensuring mobile access to help bridge the usage gap.

1 of 13
Navigating Today’s Digital Divide: Motivating All Learners Toward SuccessAnastasia TreklesClinical Asst. ProfessorPurdue University CalumetHammond, IN, USA3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
BackgroundPurdue University Calumet in Hammond, IN – very diverse, urban populationMany non-traditional and first generation college studentsSome residential but mostly commuter campusLargest regional campus of Purdue University (main campus: West Lafayette, IN, Big Ten Research I school)3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
Digital Divide PersistencePolicies that favor higher socioeconomic groups Latest: YouTube videos for college applicationsPhysical access to broadband Internet and newest computers still most common with high SESLow SES groups – youth in particular - tend to favor cell phones/smartphones for their tech needsBaby boomers and mature generation still lagging in skills, opportunities, motivation to get online, although they tend to be most suited and prefer distance educationFemales, disabled, less educated also lagging in access and motivation3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
Today’s Climate and the Need for Technology LiteracyPeople are overburdened with informationBelief that tech is “reserved for the elite or the young”Demand for distance learning in post-secondary increases as more people need job skills while still maintaining other responsibilitiesAn increasing number of services are being provided only or mostly through the Internet or phone (government services, customer service, etc.) as jobs and facilities are cut3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
Trends in the Digital DivideSocioeconomic exclusion through policy: http://www.higheredmorning.com/does-latest-college-application-trend-discriminateMedia and tech literacy down – more teachers and professors believe that millennial already “know it all” before they get to classMotivation lacks when there is no relevant use for a task or it does not fit into daily life; i.e., the prevalence of social media3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
Motivating LearnersDigital skills improve with time and motivationPhysical access can be improved with assistive technology, self-tutoring resources, personal supportLanguage and literacy barrier also important to keep in mind – accessibility is more than physical accessProviding time and opportunity for learners to practice needed skillsRelate learned skills directly to lifestyle or job needs – if there is no need to learn something, chances are people won’t want to learn!3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
Supporting LearnersTrain users on changing the language of onscreen menus/commandsUse analogies for unfamiliar concepts (desktop = workbench, directories = toolbox drawers, etc)Explain dangers of Internet usage thoroughly and how to avoid them (phishing, viruses, etc.)3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
Media LiteracyTrain learners in media literacy and critical evaluation skills as well as Internet search and usageExplain the concept of hypermedia and the multidimensional nature of the InternetUnderstanding domain names and Internet addresses (i.e, when a website change has taken place, https vs. http)Help users with evaluation through checklists with useful information and criteriaHelp users develop good search questions and to use advanced searches3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
Bridging the Usage GapProvide ample opportunity for practiceJust-in-time trainingFind, teach, and model the most efficient approach to technology tasksWeb 2.0 allows us to take care of many tasks in many different ways, complex or not complex - use the best tool for your audienceConsider ensuring that users with mobile devices can access services, coursework, etc.Provide technology training in relevant, culturally sensitive contexts – do not be afraid to customize handouts, standup training, course delivery based on audience3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
ReferencesAllen, I. E., & Seaman, J. (2006). Staying the course: Online education in the United States, 2008. Needham, Massachusetts: The Sloan Consortium. Retrieved September 9, 2009, from http://www.sloanconsortium.org/publications/survey/pdf/staying_the_course.pdf.Amiel, T. (2006). Mistaking computers for technology: Technology literacy and the digital divide. AACE Journal, 14(3). 235-256.Aviram, A., & Eshet-Alkalai, Y. (2006). Toward a theory of digital literacy” Three scenarios for the next steps. European Journal of Open, Distance, and E-Learning, 2006/I. Retrieved August 23, 2007, from http://www.eurodl.org/materials/contrib/2006/Aharon_Aviram.htm.Contreras, F. (2009, December 1). Young latinos, blacks answer call of mobile devices. National Public Radio. Retrieved December 5, 2009, from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120852934. Ford, F. (2010, March 9). Does latest college application trend discriminate? Higher Ed Morning. Retrieved March 10, 2010, from http://www.higheredmorning.com/does-latest-college-application-trend-discriminate.Fox, S. (2006). Are ‘wired seniors’ sitting ducks? Retrieved September 28, 2007, from http://pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Wired_Senior_2006_Memo.pdf.Hargittai, E. (2008). The role of expertise in navigating links of influence. In J. Turow & L. Tsui (Eds.), The Hyperlinked Society: Questioning Connections in the Digital Age. University of Michigan: The University of Michigan Press.3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
ReferencesHargittai, E. & Hinnant, A. (2008). Digital Inequality: Differences in Young Adults' Use of the Internet. Communication Research, 35(5):602-621.Heintz, R. (2007, March). 6231 reasons to upgrade your computer skills. Jobjournal.com. Retrieved September 18, 2007, from http://www.jobjournal.com/article_full_text.asp?artid=1960.Horrigan, J. (2008). Home broadband adoption 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008, from http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Broadband_2008.pdf.Horrigan, J. (2007a). Why it will be hard to close the broadband divide. Retrieved September 11, 2007, from http://pewinternet.org/pdfs/Broadband_Commentary.pdf.Horrigan, J. (2007b). A typology of information and communication technology users. Retrieved June 7, 2007, from http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_ICT_Typology.pdf.Mach, N. (2009). Gaming, learning 2.0, and the digital divide. In Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2009 (pp. 2972-2977). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
ReferencesMoltz, D. (2009, August 22). The community college enrollment boom. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved September 9, 2009, from http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/08/22/growth.National Telecommunications and Information Administration (2004). A nation online: Entering the broadband age. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Commerce.Norris, P. (2001). Digital divide: Civic engagement, information poverty, and the Internet worldwide. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.Pew Internet & American Life Project (2009, July 15). Demographics of Internet users. Pew Internet & American Life Project. Retrieved September 10, 2009, from http://pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data/Whos-Online.aspx.Van Dijk, J. A. G. M. (2005). The deepening divide: Inequality in the information society. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.Wang, Y. (2007). Riding to the future – An investigation of information literacy skills of students at an urban university as applied to the web environment. International Journal on E-Learning, 6(4), 593-603.Warschauer, M. (2008). Whither the digital divide? In D. L. Kleinman, K. A. Cloud-Hansen, C. Matta, and J. Handesman (Eds.) Controversies in science and technology: From climate to chromosomes. New Rochelle, NY: Liebert.3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
Contact Me!My website: http://education.calumet.purdue.edu/Faculty/treklesPutting People First: Human Issues in Instructional Technology (Kindle e-book): http://www.zelda23publishing.comMy Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/andellaMy email: atrekles@purdue.edu3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010

More Related Content

Managing Today's Digital Divide

  • 1. Navigating Today’s Digital Divide: Motivating All Learners Toward SuccessAnastasia TreklesClinical Asst. ProfessorPurdue University CalumetHammond, IN, USA3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
  • 2. BackgroundPurdue University Calumet in Hammond, IN – very diverse, urban populationMany non-traditional and first generation college studentsSome residential but mostly commuter campusLargest regional campus of Purdue University (main campus: West Lafayette, IN, Big Ten Research I school)3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
  • 3. Digital Divide PersistencePolicies that favor higher socioeconomic groups Latest: YouTube videos for college applicationsPhysical access to broadband Internet and newest computers still most common with high SESLow SES groups – youth in particular - tend to favor cell phones/smartphones for their tech needsBaby boomers and mature generation still lagging in skills, opportunities, motivation to get online, although they tend to be most suited and prefer distance educationFemales, disabled, less educated also lagging in access and motivation3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
  • 4. Today’s Climate and the Need for Technology LiteracyPeople are overburdened with informationBelief that tech is “reserved for the elite or the young”Demand for distance learning in post-secondary increases as more people need job skills while still maintaining other responsibilitiesAn increasing number of services are being provided only or mostly through the Internet or phone (government services, customer service, etc.) as jobs and facilities are cut3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
  • 5. Trends in the Digital DivideSocioeconomic exclusion through policy: http://www.higheredmorning.com/does-latest-college-application-trend-discriminateMedia and tech literacy down – more teachers and professors believe that millennial already “know it all” before they get to classMotivation lacks when there is no relevant use for a task or it does not fit into daily life; i.e., the prevalence of social media3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
  • 6. Motivating LearnersDigital skills improve with time and motivationPhysical access can be improved with assistive technology, self-tutoring resources, personal supportLanguage and literacy barrier also important to keep in mind – accessibility is more than physical accessProviding time and opportunity for learners to practice needed skillsRelate learned skills directly to lifestyle or job needs – if there is no need to learn something, chances are people won’t want to learn!3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
  • 7. Supporting LearnersTrain users on changing the language of onscreen menus/commandsUse analogies for unfamiliar concepts (desktop = workbench, directories = toolbox drawers, etc)Explain dangers of Internet usage thoroughly and how to avoid them (phishing, viruses, etc.)3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
  • 8. Media LiteracyTrain learners in media literacy and critical evaluation skills as well as Internet search and usageExplain the concept of hypermedia and the multidimensional nature of the InternetUnderstanding domain names and Internet addresses (i.e, when a website change has taken place, https vs. http)Help users with evaluation through checklists with useful information and criteriaHelp users develop good search questions and to use advanced searches3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
  • 9. Bridging the Usage GapProvide ample opportunity for practiceJust-in-time trainingFind, teach, and model the most efficient approach to technology tasksWeb 2.0 allows us to take care of many tasks in many different ways, complex or not complex - use the best tool for your audienceConsider ensuring that users with mobile devices can access services, coursework, etc.Provide technology training in relevant, culturally sensitive contexts – do not be afraid to customize handouts, standup training, course delivery based on audience3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
  • 10. ReferencesAllen, I. E., & Seaman, J. (2006). Staying the course: Online education in the United States, 2008. Needham, Massachusetts: The Sloan Consortium. Retrieved September 9, 2009, from http://www.sloanconsortium.org/publications/survey/pdf/staying_the_course.pdf.Amiel, T. (2006). Mistaking computers for technology: Technology literacy and the digital divide. AACE Journal, 14(3). 235-256.Aviram, A., & Eshet-Alkalai, Y. (2006). Toward a theory of digital literacy” Three scenarios for the next steps. European Journal of Open, Distance, and E-Learning, 2006/I. Retrieved August 23, 2007, from http://www.eurodl.org/materials/contrib/2006/Aharon_Aviram.htm.Contreras, F. (2009, December 1). Young latinos, blacks answer call of mobile devices. National Public Radio. Retrieved December 5, 2009, from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120852934. Ford, F. (2010, March 9). Does latest college application trend discriminate? Higher Ed Morning. Retrieved March 10, 2010, from http://www.higheredmorning.com/does-latest-college-application-trend-discriminate.Fox, S. (2006). Are ‘wired seniors’ sitting ducks? Retrieved September 28, 2007, from http://pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Wired_Senior_2006_Memo.pdf.Hargittai, E. (2008). The role of expertise in navigating links of influence. In J. Turow & L. Tsui (Eds.), The Hyperlinked Society: Questioning Connections in the Digital Age. University of Michigan: The University of Michigan Press.3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
  • 11. ReferencesHargittai, E. & Hinnant, A. (2008). Digital Inequality: Differences in Young Adults' Use of the Internet. Communication Research, 35(5):602-621.Heintz, R. (2007, March). 6231 reasons to upgrade your computer skills. Jobjournal.com. Retrieved September 18, 2007, from http://www.jobjournal.com/article_full_text.asp?artid=1960.Horrigan, J. (2008). Home broadband adoption 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2008, from http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Broadband_2008.pdf.Horrigan, J. (2007a). Why it will be hard to close the broadband divide. Retrieved September 11, 2007, from http://pewinternet.org/pdfs/Broadband_Commentary.pdf.Horrigan, J. (2007b). A typology of information and communication technology users. Retrieved June 7, 2007, from http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_ICT_Typology.pdf.Mach, N. (2009). Gaming, learning 2.0, and the digital divide. In Proceedings of World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications 2009 (pp. 2972-2977). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
  • 12. ReferencesMoltz, D. (2009, August 22). The community college enrollment boom. Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved September 9, 2009, from http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/08/22/growth.National Telecommunications and Information Administration (2004). A nation online: Entering the broadband age. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Commerce.Norris, P. (2001). Digital divide: Civic engagement, information poverty, and the Internet worldwide. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.Pew Internet & American Life Project (2009, July 15). Demographics of Internet users. Pew Internet & American Life Project. Retrieved September 10, 2009, from http://pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data/Whos-Online.aspx.Van Dijk, J. A. G. M. (2005). The deepening divide: Inequality in the information society. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.Wang, Y. (2007). Riding to the future – An investigation of information literacy skills of students at an urban university as applied to the web environment. International Journal on E-Learning, 6(4), 593-603.Warschauer, M. (2008). Whither the digital divide? In D. L. Kleinman, K. A. Cloud-Hansen, C. Matta, and J. Handesman (Eds.) Controversies in science and technology: From climate to chromosomes. New Rochelle, NY: Liebert.3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010
  • 13. Contact Me!My website: http://education.calumet.purdue.edu/Faculty/treklesPutting People First: Human Issues in Instructional Technology (Kindle e-book): http://www.zelda23publishing.comMy Slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/andellaMy email: atrekles@purdue.edu3/25/10Anastasia Trekles - SITE 2010