Closure of Digital Divide
Research Question: The digital divide is a gap many influential bodies are trying to close. How many so-called solutions have actually worked and have successfully made permanent positive change in a region. Use supportive evidence in your argument.
Introduction
Digital divide refers to the gap existing between individuals or people with access to certain data under the storage in the context of internet and persons without the possibility and accessibility to the application of information obtained from the World Wide Web (Norris, 2009). This reflects on the division of the global population into two critical groups. The first group entails individuals who are computer literate, with the accessibility to the internet services, via communication systems such as a computer. The second group of this division focuses on the inclusion of the computer illiterate persons with minimal or no access to the communication systems such as computers thus lack of the ability to extract information through the application of internet services.
This proves to be a problem to the society, which attempts to develop through the inclusion of new developments in the context of technology. For society to develop effectively and efficiently, it is essential to bridge the gap between the society members existing because of the concept of digital. Several solutions have been in place towards the elimination or minimization of the gap existing between the two groups. Some factors and proposed solutions have achieved their goals and objectives while others continue to fail terribly in the management of the differences between the groups. In this research exercise, the focus will be on the digital divide, solutions that have worked, and left permanent positive concepts in the minimization or elimination of the gap.
Digital Divide
Digital divide is one of the critical debates and issues affecting the society through its relevant consequences in relation to the development of the society. Computer illiteracy and inability to apply or implement the modern technologies contribute towards the realization of the economic disadvantages for some communities and individuals. This is because technology plays a critical role in the shaping of events within the contemporary society. Inability of individuals to incorporate and integrate technological developments will make the individuals suffer from economic disadvantages (Fitch, 2006). Such individuals will find it difficult to develop and improve their skills in relation communication techniques and systems thus inability to secure quality employment opportunities. This will limit their ability and level of communications in the context of several modern techniques such as social media networking. Inability to communicate effectively and efficiently would result into low contribution to the development by the computer illiterate individuals within the society.
The negative impacts of the digital divide with reference to technological, social, political, and economical influences require adequate solution to address the issue within society (Khan, 2005). One of the features of less developed nations is the high level of computer illiteracy. This is an indication that computer literacy is an essential aspect towards the improvement in the level of development within the society. Technological aspect of the digital divide is the lack of the communication systems and devices such as computers and mobile phones for application of internet services. Most individuals across the globe still have limited or no access to computers and relevant devices such as laptops and tablets for the initiation and execution of quality interaction and communication. Since most of the aspects of the community such as economic, social, and politics depend significantly on communication and its components, digital divide contributes towards the minimization of the achievement of the objectives of these aspects of society. The society has attempted immensely towards the elimination of the digital divide thus the achievement of development goals and objectives.
Solutions that have worked and resulted into permanent positive outcomes in the regions
Digital divide is mostly associated with rural or remote areas rather than urban centers in relevant nations and regions. Several methods have been applied by unique government entities and technological sectors towards the minimization of the case of the digital divide thus the process of enhancing growth and development. Some of the proposed, developed, and implemented solutions include
Extension of the broadband Internet to the rural areas
In most cases, rural areas lack the aspects and components of broadband internet thus the inability to access the valuable internet services contributing to the increase in the digital divide or the information technology gap. The decision to extend broadband internet to the rural areas is illustrated effectively and efficiently through the case of South Korea (Byung-Sam, 2009). At the initial stage of development, Korea Telecom had the obligation to construct broadband infrastructure in all areas of the country thus inclusion of the rural areas. This obligation was fulfilled even after the privatization of the organization. The government through its ministry of Communication and Information and the local governments took the responsibility to oversee the construction of the broadband across the rural areas. This development and initiative contributed towards the bridging of the digital divide in the country of South Korea.
This is through enhancement of the communication levels and accessibility to several citizens within the rural areas. In the context of the United States, the federal government continues to contribute towards the elimination of the gap existing between individuals because of the digital life and communication or information technology accessibility. This relates to the adoption and implementation of approximately $ 103 million in the federal budget for the enhancement of the broadband internet access across the rural areas in the 16 states (Michael, 2011). The aim of the government in the context of this practice is to reduce the number of individuals who suffer from inaccessibility to the internet services thus the reduction of the cases of the digital divide.
The policymakers and relevant practitioners in the United States such as telecom companies continue to bridge the gap between the digital lives through encouraging the reach for the most remote areas within the 16 states (Michael, 2011). This initiative aims at reducing the gap existing between the infrastructures in the rural and urban areas thus essential in reduction of the digital divide in the United States. This initiative contributes towards the development of the rural areas thus the eventual development of the nation through an increase in productivity levels of the remote areas in the United States. The growth and development of the rural and remote areas within the context of the United States depend on the rapid expansion of the broadband internet services in such areas. This is essential because of the crucial role played in development by communication and information technology.
Provision or Availability of Equipment to Remote Areas
To facilitate the effectiveness of the expansion of the broadband internet services in the rural and remote areas, the governments and other organizations have stepped up the process through the provision of the essential equipment towards the bridging of the digital divide. The concept of the digital divide also focuses on the accessibility to the communication systems and devices thus the adoption and integration of this methodology in the minimization of the gap between the two individuals (computer literate and illiterate). The methodology focuses on the provision of quality and essential devices or equipment for the bridging of the gap such as computers, peripheral materials, and software or relevant programs to facilitate accessibility of the internet services.
In the context of South Korea, the Ministry of Communication and Information, relevant local authorities, and different organizations saw the need to avail the equipment at accessible points for to individuals in the rural areas (Byung-Sam, 2009). To enhance the performance of such equipment, the government and local authorities subsidized the process to ensure that the local citizens did not pay extra rental costs for the utilization of the equipment. The points for the provision of the equipment included libraries, town offices, post offices, and local government offices depending on the needs and availability of the locations. The main objective of such process is to increase the accessibility of the devices to the individuals thus the maximization of the influence of technology towards development. The project contributed immensely towards the minimization of the digital divide in South Korea through focusing on the marginalized areas such as rural and remote areas within the nation.
Enhancement of Education & Training programs in ICT applications in both urban and rural areas
It is essential to note that most individuals in the rural areas lack sufficient knowledge and capacity to apply and use computers and internet effectively as compared to the urban dwellers (Khan, 2005). This is mainly because of lack of sufficient facilities to foster the knowledge and capacity in the application of the valuable communication devices and systems. Most rural and remote areas lack training facilities to initiate and execute educational programs in the enhancement of the knowledge of the citizens on the technological aspects. This makes it difficult for governments to reduce the concept of the digital divide across the globe. In attempts to minimize the gap developed because of the digital divide, the governments have mainly focused on the rural areas through the implementation of education programs and facilities. This is through the massive role played by the Ministry of Education in relation to the inclusion of the computer programs and ICT application in the curriculum. This is essential in the enhancement of the knowledge of the citizens on the availability, accessibility, and application of the communication systems and devices towards the bridging of the gap under the influence of the digital divide.
There is also the relationship between the computer course and real life learning programs like in the case of South Korea (Byung-Sam, 2009). The application of the relationship is essential for adequate understanding of the concepts of communication and information technology thus improvement in the accessibility to the services. The educational programs also integrate the training programs for the disabled society members thus the effective approach in the bridging of the gap developed by the digital divide. The computer programs incorporate the application of the real life course depending on the needs of the participants. The government also contributes towards the development of projects such as initiation of the facilities in the rural areas to foster the educational programs within the rural areas. This is essential for accessibility of the communication devices, services, and relevant education towards the bridging of the gap (Fitch, 2006).
Improved Access to Appropriate Information
Digital divide is also massive across the globe because of the lack of appropriate information to the rural dwellers. In order to curb the gap, the authorities have adopted the program to increase the accessibility of appropriate information to the rural areas. This program was effective in the context of South Korea (Byung-Sam, 2009). The execution of such program was the duty of the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs. The program was designed towards the optimization of the information service infrastructure thus the development of equity in the integration of technology. The program was to meet the information needs thus narrowing the digital divide through the creation of the quality information environment to enhance the quality of life in the remote and rural areas. The program contributed majorly in the development of standardized information infrastructures for improved accessibility to the public and private corporations.
Advancement in communication systems and devices
There have been efforts to minimize the digital gap across the globe through improved technological devices and systems (Murelli, 2002). This relates to the development of devices such as modems, mobile phones, tablets, iPhones, and iPads. The devices and technological devices continue to enhance the accessibility to the internet services in areas lacking the broadband infrastructures. Other developments enhancing the bridging the digital gap across the globe include the adoption and application of the wireless networking systems, fiber networking systems, and increased use of the computers in the working places. This puts pressure on the society to ensure that its members acquire the valuable technological information to survive and prosper in the modern working environment. Increased awareness on the value of digital life and its accessibility has also been essential in the minimization of the gap. Other developments in the bridging of the gap in relation to digital life include the implementation of institutions such as twitter, facebook, You Tube, and MySpace. These developments are revelations to fight in relation to the bridging of the gap developed under the influence of the digital life thus essential for the growth and development of the nations.
Conclusion
Digital divide is one of the controversial problems affecting the society in the context of development. This relates to its social, economic, political, and technological influence towards the development of the society. Digital divide is a problem that requires vital emphasis from the society in order to eliminate or minimize thus the enhancement of growth and development. Several methods have been implemented towards the minimization of the digital gap affecting the society. One of the most effective and efficient approach is the development of educational facilities to facilitate the education in relation to ICT application. This is through the incorporation of digital training in the curriculum. Some common solutions include expansion of the broadband internet to the rural areas, technological advancements and devices, availability of equipment, and appropriate information for the standardization of information infrastructures.
References
Byung-Sam Kang. (2009). Bridging the Digital Divide between Urban & Rural Areas: Experience of the Republic of Korea. IDD/TP-09-07
Michael Felberbaum (2011). $ 103 M to expand broadband internet in rural United States
Norris, P. (2009). Digital divide: Civic engagement, information poverty, and the internet worldwide (communication, society and politics). (3 ed., pp. 26-32). New York: Cambrige University Press.
Murelli, E., & Okot-Uma, R. W. O. (2002). Breaking the digital divide: Implications for developing countries. S.l.: Commonwealth Secretariat.
Fitch, S. E. (2006). Digital divide: An equation needing a solution. Morrisville, N.C.: Lulu.com.
Khan, B. H. (2005). Managing e-learning: Design, delivery, implementation and evaluation. Hershey, PA: Information Science Pub.
