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Understanding the digital divide
The term digital divide is defined as the gap between people who have access to and can effectively use technology and those who cannot. This phenomenon has various causes including economic status, lack of training and educational opportunities, and lack of awareness of technology. The Pennsylvania Digital Divide Initiative strives to bridge this technology gap by providing access, training, and awareness through various student-driven projects.

PDDI structure
The projects of the PDDI are primarily based out of Youth-Driven Service-Learning Centers (YDSLC). A YDSLC fosters the development of service-learning projects and acts as a connection between a school and the community it resides. Each YDSLC that is partnered with PDDI has a student technology staff that actively works to develop and implement technology projects within the community.

About the Pennsylvania Service-Learning Alliance
The Pennsylvania Service-Learning Alliance is the training and technical assistance provider for the Department of Education's Learn and Serve program in Pennsylvania. The PSLA is committed to bringing the service-learning methodology to urban, rural, and suburban public K-12 schools throughout Pennsylvania. The PSLA helps teachers in Pennsylvania acquire the skills they need to successfully develop, implement, evaluate, and assess service-learning projects in the classroom.

Funding
PDDI is funded through a Learn and Serve grant from the Corporation for National Community Service. PDDI also receives in kind donations of used computer hardware from various Pennsylvania-based businesses, nonprofit groups, and government agencies.