[printer friendly (text) page]

Digital Divide Basics
Three Excellent Resources
by Stephanie Gundry

The digital divide is commonly defined as the expanding gap between those people and communities who can make effective use of information technology and those who cannot. There is a wealth of informational resources on the web about this subject. This article will provide information about three excellent resources for those interested in learning more about the digital divide.

The Digital Divide Network
http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/
This site serves as a clearinghouse of information about the digital divide. The site includes a fact sheet on the digital divide with information about global and national issues, current research about the digital divide and funding opportunities. The site offers the opportunity to join a digital divide discussion listserv, where you can share information and advice with other interested parties over email.

The Community Technology Centers’ Network
http://www.ctcnet.org/
This site is another excellent source of information regarding the digital divide, listing over 700 national Community Technology Centers nationwide, organized by state. This list can be used as a service-learning partner resource by teachers interested in participating in digital divide projects. In addition, their resources page provides information about computer recycling, citizenship, literacy, ESL, public policy, volunteers and youth education.

PBS’ Digital Divide
http://www.pbs.org.digitaldivide/
PBS' site supplies information about the digital divide in four specific areas: classrooms, gender, race and at work. For each topic, there is a list of web links, an interactive page with a historical perspective and a page of quotes about the topic.

Each of these sites contains different information, but they are all trying to accomplish a similar goal: to help increase awareness of the digital divide. If you are interested in the digital divide, or are planning a digital divide-related service project, these sites are an excellent starting place.