The Digital Divide

A digital divide is created between those who can and those who cannot. Those who can afford to keep up with the changing technology and those who are allowed access to utilize these technologies compared to those who can not afford to keep up with technology and those who are not allowed access to utilize these technological advancements. This digital divide occurs in various ways. Sometimes policies and procedures help to create this divide. Other times we create a divide for ourselves. In education the digital divide can be considered the achievement gap between learners, the limited access to information, and the lack of equipment and supplies.

As educators we must be open and willing to accept change. This can only occur if we step away from the norm and step into the unknown creating a positive atmosphere of change. Differences in technological access exist across cultures, gender, and socioeconomic groups. As an educator, I can begin this process of reducing/eliminating the divide by introducing those I encounter with to new technological advancements, allowing them the opportunity to experiment with those technologies, and explaining/demonstrating the impact these technologies plays in our lives on a daily basis. Also, we must be willing to take charge of our own success or failure. We may not be able to afford a certain technology, but we can research and read upon that technology so that we are familiar with it and can identify it if it ever graces our presence.

Emmorfia

Red Queens vs. Increasing Returns

When I first noticed that we had to watch a movie about technology and the future, I immediately began browsing my collection of DVD’s, because I knew I had Total Recall and Minority Report. For this assignment, I chose to watch a movie that I had not seen before, therefore I chose Next. Technology today allowed me to have several different alternatives for watching movies. I had the choice of watching Movies on Demand, renting or purchasing from a local video store, or purchasing and watching a movie online. I chose to rent this movie through my local cable company using Movie on Demand. This provided me with convenience and the ability to instantly watch this movie without having to leave home. In this market we have both increasing returns and Red Queens. DVD’s, Movie on Demand, and online movie renting are all considered to be red queens, because they all left VHS behind. Movie on Demand, online movie renting, and DVD kiosks are all increasing returns over local video rental stores. The local video stores such as Movie Gallery, Blockbuster, and Hollywood Videos are going out of business, filing for bankruptcy, and continuously closing more and more stores. The red queens in this movie industry are providing low cost, convenience, and technological advancements. I think DVD’s are becoming obsolete and Video on Demand is in the enhancement stages of the McLuhan’s tetrad.

Emmorfia

References:

Laureate Education (2009). Increasing Returns Retreived August 10, 2010 at http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4199715&Survey=1&47=5847480&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Thornburg, D.D. (2008) Emerging technologies and McLuhan's Laws of Media. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornberg Center for Space Exploration.


Additional Resources:

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2009-06-30-netflix-future_N.htm
http://hubpages.com/hub/movie-rental-future
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/09/23/the-rise-and-fall-of-blockbuster.html