Thoughts from the Class! (click me for summary)
In my recent "phase 1" blog post, I asked my Digital America classmates to think and respond to this question: do you, as college students, think basic access to technology and the Internet should be considered a human right for students in grades K-12 in America. Additionally, please also include how you would contribute to solving the problem of the “Digital Divide” in the American education system. With the exception of a few, most of my peers agreed that although access to technology is an extremely important issue that needs to be paid more attention, it should not be considered a human right. Most of the student responses admitted that the integration of technology in to the classroom has been a seemingly natural element of their education since a young age. There was, however, a general consensus that students who are unable to gain equal levels of internet access and technological means are greatly disadvantaged due to the expectations that teachers and the education system has today of young adults. Many of you were are of technology and the Internets' increasingly crucial and influential roles in today's society, especially within the education system. Also, many perceived the issues of Internet accessibility within the classroom to be the responsibility of the government. Thoughts tended to place the power to effectively change this situation in the hands of the government and their ability to increase competition among Internet and cable providers as well as dedicate more time and money to this particular issue. Following this post, I will continue to post excerpts from students responses to the question posted above in order to share their different perspectives and arguments.
