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Reconceptualizing the Digital Divide Print E-mail
Written by Sylvia Cadena   
Wednesday, 29 June 2005
This paper produced by Mark Warschauer, examines the concept of a digital divide by introducing problematic examples of community technology projects and analyzing models of technology access. It argues that the concept provides a poor framework for either analysis or policy, and suggests an alternate concept of technology for social inclusion. It then draws on the historical analogy of literacy to further critique the notion of a divide and to examine the resources necessary to promote access and social inclusion.

The author explores how simplistic notions of a digital divide concept had lead to the problematic outcomes almost every ICT project faced, which unfortunely provide arguments for those who doesn't support the provision of funding to technology projects leaded by the community.

The author proposed a framework of technology for social inclusion, instead of the digital divide concept. According to his findings that will re-orient the focus and finally reach effective integration of ICT into communities and institutions.

Mark Warschauer is Assistant Professor of Education and of Information & Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine; a faculty associate of the university's Center for Research on Information Technology and Organizations (CRITO); and the editor of the journal Language Learning & Technology. He is currently investigating uses of technology in low- and high-socioeconomic status neighborhood schools in California.

The paper is fully accesible at http://www.firstmonday.org/issues/issue7_7/warschauer/index.html

* First Monday is one of the first openly accessible, peer–reviewed journals on the Internet, solely devoted to the Internet.