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Title:
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TERTIARY LEVEL DIGITAL DIVIDE: A MORE COMPLEX UNDERSTANDING AND BROADENED DEFINITION |
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Author(s):
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Laurie A. Henry |
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ISBN:
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978-972-8924-55-3 |
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Editors:
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Piet Kommers and Pedro Isaías |
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Year:
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2008 |
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Edition:
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Single |
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Keywords:
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Digital divide, Internet, literacy, online reading |
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Type:
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Full Paper |
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First Page:
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24 |
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Last Page:
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34 |
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Language:
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English |
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Cover:
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Full Contents:
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click to dowload 
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Paper Abstract:
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Do the factors associated with primary and secondary level digital divides converge into a tertiary level digital divide and
create an even larger achievement gap for the most needy students in our schools? The inequality of Internet access and
Internet use are only part of the problem. Inequalities of Internet reading skill level are also shown to be an important
aspect of the digital divide. This study shows that a tertiary digital divide may exist as a result of primary and secondary
digital divides that has important implications for the futures of our children. In todays electronic age, children who are
unfamiliar with technology face an uncertain employment outlook and a diminished capacity for significant economic
progress (Mack, 2001, p. 83). Both a primary level digital divide (i.e. access to the Internet) and secondary level digital
divide (i.e. use of the Internet) can be addressed by providing effective instruction for using the Internet as part of an
integrated approach to teaching and learning in our schools, thus avoiding a tertiary level digital divide (i.e. Internet
reading skill) that has important implications for the futures of our students. |
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