Abstract:

The digital divide has been a consistent issue in relation to the world of education since the first time computers and the internet were made available in the schools and in the home. The term continues to illustrate the differences in how financial status, education levels, and social status leads some students to have access to the technology while other students continue to struggle to have access to the same technology in the United States.

But, the digital divide is not just about access to the internet or to a computer, it is also about how teachers are trained to use technology in the classroom and what technology is actually available in the classroom. Schools in a lower socioeconomic district often do not have the same technology available as schools in a higher socioeconomic district. This is also true for teacher training. Teachers are trained in the use of technology based upon the school district resources, and many school districts across the United States do not have access to the technology training to properly prepare teachers to teach in today's technologically based classrooms.

The paper will examine the current status of the digital divide in the United States, though the international issues surrounding the digital divide will also be discussed. Current demographics regarding students, schools, and teachers and how it affects technology literacy will be examined along with an historical context of the history of the digital divide as well as the future of the digital divide. The access to technology training for today’s teachers will also be explored.

Keywords:

Digital Divide, Internet, Computer, Classroom, Technology Training, Access to Technology.