Team Teach Lesson - Digital Divide

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The Digital Divide: Understanding Inequities in the Digital Age

AP Computer Science Principles - Big Idea 5.2

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Define the digital divide and identify its key dimensions
• Analyze factors that contribute to digital inequality
• Evaluate the impact of the digital divide on different communities
• Propose potential solutions to bridge digital gaps

Warm-Up Activity

Digital Access Self-Assessment

• How many internet-connected devices do you personally have access to?
• How would you rate your home internet speed/reliability (excellent, good, fair, poor)?
• Have you ever been unable to complete schoolwork due to technology limitations?
• Are there places you regularly visit where you can't get online? Discussion: Share observations with a partner. What patterns do you notice in your classroom? Are there differences in access among students?

Key Concepts

What is the Digital Divide?

• The digital divide refers to the gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communications technology (ICT) and those that have limited or no access.

Multiple Dimensions of the Digital Divide:

• Access Divide
• Physical access to devices and connectivity
• Urban vs. rural disparities
• Global North vs. Global South differences
• Usage Divide
• Skills and literacy needed to use technology effectively
• Purpose and nature of internet usage
• Time and freedom to engage with technology
• Quality Divide
• Speed and reliability of connections
• Age and capabilities of devices
• Infrastructure differences

Contributing Factors:

• Economic factors: Income inequality, cost of devices and services
• Geographic factors: Rural/urban differences, topography challenges
• Social factors: Age, education, language, disability
• Political factors: Government policies, censorship, investment priorities

Data Exploration Activity

• Analyzing Real-World Digital Divide Data

Dataset 1: Global Internet Penetration Rates

Region	Internet Users (%)	Smartphone Ownership (%)
North America	92%	85%
Europe	87%	76%
Latin America	72%	65%
Asia Pacific	54%	51%
Middle East	70%	60%
Africa	43%	33%

Dataset 2: Global Internet	Annual Income	Broadband at Home	Smartphone Only	No Internet
Less than $30,000	57%	27%	16%
$30,000-$49,999	74%	15%	11%
$50,000-$74,999	83%	13%	4%
$75,000+	92%	6%	2%

Group Task:

• Identify the most significant disparities in your dataset
• Hypothesize what factors might be causing these gaps
• Consider what consequences these disparities might have for affected populations-
• Prepare a brief summary of your findings to share with the class

Impact Analysis

• How Does the Digital Divide Affect Different Aspects of Life?

Discussion Topics:

• Education and learning opportunities
• Job opportunities and economic mobility
• Healthcare access and telemedicine
• Civic participation and engagement
• Cultural and social connection
• Think-Pair-Share: With a partner, discuss how lacking digital access might affect:
• A student trying to complete coursework
• A job seeker looking for employment
• An elderly person needing healthcare during a pandemic
• A citizen wanting to participate in local government

Bridging the Gap: Tech Solutions & Policy Approaches

• Individual Reflection: Write down 2-3 potential solutions to address aspects of the digital divide
• Small Group Collaboration: Form groups of 3-4 students. Combine your individual ideas and develop a more comprehensive solution that addresses multiple dimensions of the digital divide. Consider:
• Technical solutions (infrastructure, devices)
• Educational approaches (digital literacy)
• Policy interventions (subsidies, regulations)
• Community-based initiatives
• Case Study Analysis (15 minutes)
• Real-World Digital Divide Intervention

Case Study: The One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) Initiative

• The OLPC project aimed to provide low-cost laptops to children in developing countries. The program has deployed millions of laptops worldwide but has faced numerous challenges. Group Investigation:
• What was the goal of this initiative?
• What technical approaches did they take? (durable design, low power usage, etc.)
• What successes did the program achieve?
• What challenges or criticisms emerged?
• What lessons can we learn about addressing the digital divide?

Resources:

Brief history of OLPC Evaluation of OLPC programs

Key Takeaways:

• The digital divide is multidimensional: access, usage, and quality
• Technology gaps affect economic, educational, and social opportunities
• Solutions require addressing both technical and social factors
• Both global and local approaches are needed

Exit Ticket:

• On a note card or digital form, answer:
• One new thing you learned about the digital divide today
• One question you still have about digital inequality

Homework Assignment

Digital Divide Community Assessment

• Observation: Identify a location in your community where people might need internet access but face barriers (examples: a library, community center, local business, apartment complex).
• Who is using technology?
• What devices are they using?
• What are they using technology for?
• Are there any visible barriers to access?

Due date: Next class session Submission format: Please submit your observations, interview notes, and reflection paragraph through the class learning management system.

Extension Resources

For students who want to explore further: Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project ITU's Measuring Digital Development Report "The Digital Divide: Facing a Crisis or Creating a Myth?" by Benjamin M. Compaine Digital Divide Council