The digital divide has a tremendous effect on education at all grade levels because of the resources that are available in different schools. Schools in districts that have more money to update software, buy new pieces of technology and are able to hire instructors that are knowledgeable in the subject matter, all benefit the education of the students. Likewise, students who attend schools in low-income areas do not receive instruction in these subjects and are behind their peers when they enter college or the workplace. This ultimately leads to a circular model where people effected by the divide struggle to get out (O’Hara). When a school is given the financial assistance to purchase new computers, projectors, etc, it’s a rare occasion and often don’t receive funds to help maintain the machines. With technology expanding at such a fast rate the recently purchased technology becomes more insignificant over the next five years. Staying current with technology available to teachers and educators is another way the digital divide impacts education and is important to the discussion of how to improve our schools.
If this gap is not addressed I think the divide between the two sides will only increase but will also become more apparent to the general public. Our current education practice allows for too many students to fall between the cracks of the system that originally exist because of the digital divide in the first place. Students from areas with lower achieving schools need every reason to stay connected with education.
