Entry+4

Entry 4: Topic to focus on for your fourth entry:
==//Children, Families, & Media: A Benchmark// reveals that many children from low income families now have access to a variety of technology to help aid in learning. This new research suggests that although significant differences do exist by income level, a stark **digital divide** no longer exists. So income level is not an indicator of whether or not your students will have access to or own specific technological tools. This research further suggests that technology is integrated into children’s lives, regardless of their families' income.==


 * 1) Do you think it is important for everyone to have access to technology? Why or why not?
 * 2) What is the digital divide? Is it still a problem? Give reasons to support your answers.
 * 3) Do you think the digital divide will affect you as a classroom teacher? Why or why not?
 * 4) If the digital divide is a problem in your classroom, what steps can you take to make sure your students have equal access to computers and technology in your classroom?

Take a look at several of the resources listed below to help you organize your thoughts:

New Study Funded by U.S. Department of Education Shows Digital Divide Is No Longer as Prevalent: http://investor.news.com/Engine?Account=cnet&ChannelID=3197&GUID=3571857&Page=MediaViewer The Digital Divide Opportunity: http://www.civitium.com/archives/2006/09/the_digital_div.html Helping to Bridge the Digital Divide: http://fm.hunter.cuny.edu/huntspointexpress/?page_id=68 Kansas School Bridges the Digital Divide: http://www2.gazette.com/display.php?id=1315349&secid=1 Digital Divide 2.0: http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2007/09/12/02divide.h01.html