Title of the Essay, Author, and Date

B ridging the Digital Divide by Paulina Haselhort (November 18, 2015)

Title of the Reflection

T he Bridge to uniting Digital Division

First Impression

A n article explaining how we can bridge the gap between the digital division, hence giving us better understanding of the world we currently live in.

Quote

Seeing technology as a want rather than a need, is an outdated mindset

Reflection Paper

It is now the 21^st century and everywhere you go you can see technologies, almost all of the jobs require you to know the fundamentals or the basics on how to use a computer. Computer literacy was just an option or just an additional skill, but now it is required by everyone, and every job you have will ask you if you do have Computer literacy, it is considered as a mandatory skill. That’s why as early as grade 3 schools in metro manila and other provinces started teaching their students on how to use the computer, but the problem here is other schools cannot afford to buy equipment , they may have no budget or they just simply don’t want to spend money because they think that technologies are just wants. When they have computers in their school the life of the teacher and the student would be a lot easier, teachers won't have to right their lesson over and over again they could just simply flash a powerpoint presentation and give each student a copy so the students wouldn't have any excuse on why they didn't study for their lessons. The Government should impose rules or laws that states that all schools should or must have a computer laboratory that would help students use computers or other technologies. We must close the digital gap and it will start with the schools to help those students close the gaps. Digital curriculums are now a must and they are an ethical priority, schools should help students by making laboratories with computers. Students who don’t have access to personal computers or who cannot afford laptops should have access to it in their schools, and if they don’t have the digital divide or gap will widen, which in turn would not help them in their future. I cannot see the world to stop using these technologies, I cannot see the digital world to collapse in the next 100 years, this would just improve and improve, and widening the gap or the division won’t help any of us. Schools must invest on computer laboratories; this would help the students in the long term. Schools must prioritize on what is important and not just focus on money, they may not see the importance of teaching digital curriculum to students but sooner or later their schools will be left out and also their students.

Although Access to technology is ever increasing, computers in libraries and schools are not enough. Student who  have access to computers and the Internet at school have higher self-esteem as a result of developing new skills and taking a pro-active approach to learning and exploring their interests. . It is the norm for teachers to incorporate technology into the classrooms, allowing students to participate in lessons by working on computers individually or in groups. Many schools are also transitioning to one-to-one (1:1) curricula wherein all children are assigned a laptop or tablet they can use in the classroom or at home. To truly prepare students for the road ahead, schools must move beyond labs and into teaching spaces, encouraging instructors to assign tasks that involve computers.  Digital investments also pay off in the short term, as teachers benefit from organizational tools, immediate feedback and ‘differentiated learning’ applications.

A number of organizations have made it their mission to improve the educational, social and economic opportunities for disadvantaged students and their families by providing them with computers and technology skills.

5 things I've learned

1. Computer literacy is an important skill

2. Digital investment is a must because it would help not just the students but also the teachers.

3. Technology is not a want but a need because we now live in a digital world and it would widen the gap if students are not given any help.

4. Digital curriculum is now an ethical priority

5.The Government should fund the low-income schools and let them borrow money for a period of time and they would just be paid back when they have extra money from their revenues.

5 integrative questions

1. What is the important skill everyone should have?

2. Why is Digital investment a must?

3. Why is technology a need and not just a want?

4. What is the curriculum that the schools must prioritize?

5. How can the Government help?