Thirteen Ed Online - Digital Divide Resources

		Digital Divide Special Edition Resources Solution Initiatives Community Technology Centers Articles The following resources will help you find valuable information about the digital divide on the Web: INFORMATIONAL WEB SITES Closing the Digital Divide http://www.digitaldivide.gov/ This new government site contains links to the series of reports entitled "Falling Through the Net" and to various speeches and addresses related to the digital divide in America. Falling Through the Net: A Survey of the "Have Nots" in Rural and Urban America http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/fallingthru.html The first component of the "Falling Through the Net" series published by the National Telecommunications And Information Administration in July 1995 can be found here. The report focuses on regional differences in access to telephones, computers, and the Internet in America. Falling Through the Net II: New Data on the Digital Divide http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/net2/falling.html This follow-up study, published in July 1998, updates the statistics revealed in the first report. It confirms that there remains a significant digital divide in America based on race, income, and other demographic characteristics. Falling Through the Net: Defining the Digital Divide http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/fttn99/ This highly-detailed U.S. government study, published in July 1999, is the latest in the "Falling Through the Net series." It addresses the ways in which the digital divide has changed, and remained the same. It discusses possible ways the government can work to close the digital divide through policy changes. The report is filled with many useful charts and graphs. Guide to the Digital Divide http://www.hubheaven.org/ddr/index.html Geared towards teenagers, this site puts digital divide topics into colloquial language, simplifing the issue, and offering related "factoids." It also encourages teens to intern with ANGELS (America's Network of Givers, Educators, Learners, and Servers) and help to shrink the divide personally. Digital Divide Network http://www.digitaldividenetwork.org/ A great resource to use to find current news about the digital divide, this site also houses links to digital divide initiatives and has a section that helps individuals find a local effort they can join. It also spotlights the efforts of organizations and individuals attempting to close the digital divide. The research and data section is extremely extensive and contains links to information on many topics related to the digital divide. Civil Rights Forum: The Digital Divide http://www.civilrightsforum.org/divide.html The negative effects on Hispanics and Blacks in America due to thier lack of access to information technology are the focus of this site. It also contains articles, transcriptions of speeches, and research papers that deal with racism in various media. A portion of the site tracks congressional activities related to technology. SOLUTION INITIATIVES Seeking Solutions to the Digital Divide http://www.digitaldivide.org/ Visually stunning, this site offers information in an appealing and stimulating way. It flashes startling statistics and fascinating quotes at the user. It offers a chance for users to express their own opinions on digital divide related topics through online discussions. It will soon house streaming media excerpts from the Seeking Solutions to the Digital Divide conference that was held in Seattle in November of 1999. Seeking Solutions to the Digital Divide http://www.technology-alliance.com/Digitaldivide.html Also related to the Digital Divide conference that was held in Seattle in November of 1999, this site centers around the question: "How can we best use the marketplace to bring the benefits of digital technology to all?" In addition to the conference itinerary, this site links to the PowerPoint presentation delivered by Bill Gates, Digital Divides and Digital Opportunities, which contains data on world wealth and poverty and on the spread of information technology. The National Urban Technology Center http://www.urbantech.org The National Urban Technology Center is a nonprofit corporation committed to introducing urban communities nation wide to the complete spectrum of the information age. It aids these communities in the production of technology and telecommunications infrastructures by working within the community to create computer learning centers with a comprehensive curriculum that holds the promise of full participation in the digital revolution. technology project http://www.techproject.org/ The technology project is dedicated to bridging the digital divide not for individuals, but for organizations by helping nonprofit organizations build a viable Web presence. They have produced a free database template that helps nonprofits organize their communications with their members, donors, activists, and volunteers. They help these organizations use new media to effectively promote their message and effect a change. Global Information Infrastructure Commission http://www.giic.org/ Taking a global approach to evening out technological inequities, the Global Information Infrastructure Commission (GIIC) is interested in fostering a worldwide, affordable, and accessible information system. Their goal is to promote economic growth and education globally, and thus improve quality of life everywhere. The extensive news briefs section contains links to pertinent articles. Digital Sojourn http://www.digitalsojourn.org/ This nonprofit organization is dedicated to increasing the number of people of African descent participating in computer-mediated communication. Their mission also includes using technology to unite all people interested in promoting economic and social justice. In addition to holding computer workshops, Digital Sojourn also attacks the digital divide through networking and policy development. Statement of the Morino Institute on "Bridging the Digital Divide" http://www.morino.org/bridgingdigitaldivide.asp Invested in the concept that the digital divide is merely a more visible manifestation of deeper social problems, the Morino Institute helps people to understand the ways in which the Internet and computer technology can affect their everyday lives, presenting both potential gains and risks. Their suggested solutions, which focus on lower-income areas in both rural and urban America, entail seeking the involvement of prominent members of technology-deprived communities and offering assistance to minority-owned businesses. If fully implemented, their solution initiatives would touch every facet of the lives of those in need. COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY CENTERS HarlemLive http://www.harlemlive.org HarlemLive is a nonprofit organization dedicated to putting technology into the hands of kids that are interested in Web production and the dissemination of ideas. The result is an amazing site that asks pointed questions and addresses issues relevant to the lives of urban teenagers. Plugged In http://www.pluggedin.org Plugged In is a community technology center located in East Palo Alto, California intent on ensuring that everyone in the community has the opportunity to fully benefit from all that the information revolution has to offer. They teach teenagers Web design and help them find local businesses and paying commercial clients to which they offer their services. Playing2Win http://www.playing2win.org Playing2Win (P2W) is a technology center located in NYC that provides low-cost technology access. They work with adults, youth, and teachers to make technology accessible, educational, and fun, offering classes and workshops on an array of computer skills and software. They also hold professional development classes for educators wishing to integrate technology into their classrooms. ARTICLES Bridging the Digital Divide: The Impact of Race on Computer Access and Internet Use http://ecommerce.vanderbilt.edu/papers/race/science.html Deepening the Digital Divide: The War on Universal Service http://www.cme.org/ddpaper.html From the Center for Media Education What Price Will Be Paid by Those Not on the Net? http://search.nytimes.com/search/daily/homepage/bin/ fastweb?getdoc+cyber-lib+cyber-lib+7272+12+wAAA+"digital%7Edivide" New York Times article from September 22, 1999 Clinton Addresses Gap in Computer Access http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/12/cyber/articles/10divide.html New York Times article from December 9, 1999 Taking Up the Fight Against the Digital Divide http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/12/cyber/capital/21capital.html New York Times article from December 21, 1999 BBC News: "Bridging the Digital Divide" http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/special_report/1999/10/99/ information_rich_information_poor/newsid_466000/466651.stm