From "The Digital Divide" by David Bolt and Ray Crawford "It is not enough simply to drop a bunch of computers into a classroom and walk away...Figures released in late 1998...show that 89 percent of schools were connected to the internet...Unfortunately, there has been no equally dramatic announcement that a coherent body of thought, in the form of a national plan or even dialogue assessing the effectiveness of these technologies, has been formed - what are we to do with all of that computer and communications technology once it is in place?" What should we do with all that technology, and who gets to have it first?
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From the American Association of University Women "Education technology, which is increasingly integrated into the curriculum of elementary and secondary schools, is a new arena in which we must ensure that girls are not at a disadvantage. Gender Gaps found that, compared to boys, girls are at a significant disadvantage as technology is increasingly incorporated into the classroom. Girls tend to come to the classroom with less exposure to computers and other technology and less confidence and skill at using technology than boys..."What are the implications of this issue? What legal and professional actions are currently in the works to help ensure equity in this area?
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• All teachers in the nation will have the training and support they need to help students learn using computers and the information superhighway.
• All teachers and students will have modern multimedia computers in their classrooms.
• Every classroom will be connected to the information superhighway.
• Effective software and on-line learning resources will be an integral part of every school's curriculum.
  Now, the priorities have changed. View the new goals and the Bush Adminstration's perspective on educational technology.
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From the Institute for African-American ECulture "The 'Digital Divide' is recognized by many as a gap in access to information technology for minority and poor communities within the United States. Because we are at the dawn of a digital age in which the effective use of information technology may be the defining factor for participation in the economy, government and society, it is critical that such gaps be eliminated. Steps to remedy disparities in access to the physical infrastructure and in traditional training and education are being discussed and in some instances implemented around the nation. What is more important is that all communities, and especially underrepresented communities, fully participate in the design, creation, development, decision making, and ownership of information technology as it affects their own lives. Nothing less than such full participation in IT is acceptable in a society which aspires to democracy and freedom."What approaches are being taken to this end?
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