Lilla Cortese-Research

Lily

Lilla Cortese
research

research

Bridging the Global Digital Divide
Keywords	Library Sources	E-Database Sources	Web Sources
Section I: Topic Introduction
One can argue that the development of the Internet in the late 1980s is as, if not more, important than the invention of the printing press in the 15^th century. The Internet has altered people’s lives across the globe. As a result of its development, information from anywhere in the world can be accessed with the touch of a few buttons in a matter of seconds. Although, to a large extent, it has changed the way in which the world communicates, relatively few people have Internet access. According to a report produced by the British government in November 2002, slightly less than one-third of people worldwide have Internet access, and a large portion of those who do live in the United States and wealthy Western nations. However, the report also indicated that only 40 percent of Americans have regular access to the Internet. The digital divide is the term used to describe the discrepancy, worldwide, between those who have Internet access and those who do not. According to Webopedia, the digital divide can exist between those living in rural and urban areas, between the educated and uneducated, between economic classes and on a global scale between more and less industrially developed nations. I have chosen to research bridging the digital divide because I am aspiring to work in the communications industry in the near future. As an aspiring communicator, I must understand the limitations of those who do not have regular Internet access. It is my hope that after conducting this research, I will understand all of the ramifications of this phenomenon. I also hope to familiarize myself with different methods and/or programs, both successful and unsuccessful, used in the past to decrease the divide. As a result of my research, I would also like to develop a comprehensive understanding of practical solutions for shrinking the ever-increasing divide. My intended audience includes government officials, leaders in the information technology industry and educators. Governments across the globe are working together to eliminate the digital divide and would be interested in practical solutions. My audience also includes leaders in the information technology industry because they have the power to shrink the divide. They can provide developing nations with technology at very reduced prices. Educators must be made aware of the digital divide and must understand the limitations of those who do not have Internet access.
Section I-b: Keywords Back to top
UNC Library catalog: :information age n3 haves OR have-nots comput? AND social issues Academic Universe Lexis-Nexis: General news, Major Papers technolog! (in headline, lead paragraph) w/s socioeconomic status (in headline, lead paragraph) AND global (full text) Previous 6 months World News, North/South America News Sources united nations (in headline, lead paragraph) w/5 technology gap (in headline, lead paragraph) AND solutions (in headline, lead paragraph) All available dates Search Engine on Web: http://www.google.com/ overcoming digital divide internet access and third world nations
Section II: Books, Videotapes and CD-ROMs from UNC-CH Libraries Back to top
Print Sources: Servon, Lisa. Bridging the digital divide: technology, community, and public policy. Information Age Series. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publications, 2002. Davis Library: Call Number: HN90.I56 S48 2002 Nulens, Gert, ed. The digital divide in developing countries: towards an information society in Africa. Brussels: VUB Brussels University Press, 2001.Davis Library: Call Number: HN780.Z9 I5634 2001 Non-paper Source: PBS Television. Virtual equality: the information revolution and the inner city. Dir.by Lorna Thomas. 58 min. Studio Miramar, 2000. Videocassette. SILS Library: Call Number: 45-V141
Section III: Electronic Indexes and Databases Sources Back to top
Applied Science and Technology Index: Bursky, David, “Technology haves and have-nots: can we share?” Electronic Design 48, no. 9, 1 May 2000. Available [Online]: Applied Science and Technology Index [Accessed 29 January 2003]. Schaeffler, Jimmy, “Crossing the digital divide,” Satellite Communications 24, no. 6, June 2000. Available [Online]: Applied Science and Technology Index [Accessed 29 January 2003]. Williams, Al. “Bridge the digital divide—basically,” QST 85, no. 4, April 2001. Available [Online]: Applied Science and Technology Index [Accessed 29 January 2003]. ISI Citation Databases: Cullen, R, “Addressing the digital divide,” Online Information Review 25, no. 5, 2001. Available [Online]: ISI Citation Databases [Accessed 30 January 2003]. James, J, “Bridging the digital divide with low-cost information technologies,” Journal of Information Science 27, no. 6, 2001. Available [Online]: ISI Citation Databases [Accessed 30 January 2003]. Watanabe, T, “Merits of open-source resolution to resolve a digital divide in information technology,” Human Society and the Internet, 2001. Available [Online]: ISI Citation Databases [Accessed 30 January 2003].
Section IV: Web Sources Back to top
Title of Web page: The Digital Divide Network Web address: http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/ Brief Description: This web site offers community leaders practical solutions for bridging the digital divide. It also explains what the digital divide is, explores causes and effects of the phenomenon and provides statistics about Internet access. The web site reports current research and provides a brief explanation about the origins and activities of the Digital Divide Network. It also serves as a forum where community leaders can share their experiences with others around the world. Source of the Web site: Benton Foundation (producer and coordinator of Digital Divide Network) in conjunction with the National Urban League Title of Web page: Digital Divide Solutions Web address: http://www.asu.edu/DigitalDivideSolutions/ Brief Description: This site is directed primarily to educators, community leaders and business people. It has consolidated the wealth of information that exists on the digital divide and provides links to available resources in order to shrink the growing divide. One such link, “Have Ideas Need Funds,” explains how to write a grant proposal and provides contact information for organizations that fund digital initiatives. Source of the Web site: Hispanic Research Center at Arizona State University & The College Board Title of Web page: Welcome to Digital Divide.org Web address: http://www.digitaldivide.org Brief Description: This Web site targets policymakers around the world. Its goal is to inform them about the digital divide in order that they adopt appropriate policies. The site contains links to the latest international news and current initiatives to end the digital divide. It also encourages policymakers to reach out to IT companies and their investors as a source for funding projects to end the digital divide. Source of the Web site: Harvard University & MIT Media Lab Title of Web page: Tool Kit for Bridging the Digital Divide Web address: http://www.ed.gov/Technology/tool_kit.html Brief Description: This site offers basic tips on how to bridge the digital divide through the development of a community project. It explains and offers tips on coalition building, goal setting, identifying resources and grant writing. Source of the Web site: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology Title of Web page: ED Technology Digital Divide Web address: http://www.ed.gov/Technology/digdiv.html Brief Description: This web site is aimed at United States educators and government officials. Although it recognizes the digital divide as an international issue, it is focused on eliminating the divide in the United States. It provides extensive information on available resources, both federal and non-federal, and grants. The site also provides links to pertinent publications and web resources. Source of the Web site: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology

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