Notes

Slide Show

Outline

1	Access to Technology in the African American Community: Exploring the Digital Divide By: Teri B. Weil Reference Librarian University of Maryland Eastern Shore
2	What is the Digital Divide? The information haves – have access to technology such as telephone service, personal computers, modems and the Internet The information have-nots – do not have access to technology
3	Who are the Have-nots? Ethnic Minorities Women Individuals in Rural Areas Individuals in Inner Cities Seniors
4	Causes of the Digital Divide Socioeconomics Socioculture Education / Training Environment
5	African American Access to Technology: A History
6	Factors of Slow Growth Income Risk Understanding Benefits Education / Training
7	Income as a Factor
8	Income continued
9	African American Income
10	Households with Internet Access by Income
11	Computer Ownership: Growth
12	Internet Access: Growth
13	Risk Privacy is one of the greatest risks in accessing the Internet Big Brother is watching – The fear of the government accessing an individual’s personal information Hackers retrieving personal data/records
14	Understanding the Benefits
15	Education / Training
16	Education / Training : Schools Not enough workstations Dated or obsolete equipment and software Instructors Received little/no training Have no interest Are overworked Have the equipment and software, but no one to maintain everything Do not have Internet connections
17	Education / Training Libraries Libraries have limited resources There are still libraries that are staffed by volunteers and/or nonprofessional librarians The technology is new to the library Space is limited
18	Education/Training: Work Trained on specific functions only No access to online services
19	African Americans & the Digital Divide
20	Computer Ownership: A Comparison
21	Online Service: A Comparison
22	What Does All this Mean? It means that access to technology in the African American community is growing. However, the income for African Americans is not changing to keep up with the economy. This creates a need in the African American community to find alternative methods to access technology other than ownership.
23	Meaning Continued
24	Creating a Bridge Across the Digital Divide Develop training programs for the public Staff development and training Identify grant opportunities and apply Build relationships with other organizations to help Acknowledge there is a problem and get involved
25	Sources for Charts
26	Sources Continued
27	Sources Continued