The Digital Divide
 

BGLOs' what field or profession are you in? If you are in the IT or any komputer related field, what is you out take on the digital divided? Do you think it is a problem with African-American not knowing much about komputers & not jumping into this new era of komputer age? Getting a certified in MCSE,CCNA,Oracle DBA,Linux etc.... Will really help a person's salary, however alot of us fell to get these cert. which is an easy way to boost one's salary by $10k-$20k per year......GLOs' feel free to reply....................

The digital divide is an issue that's having a negative impact on our community because those without computer exposure are being left behind. Basic computer knowledge is required for more jobs than before and knowledge of office suites (Corel Wordprefect Suite, Microsoft Office suite) and almost required. Let's not even mention knowing how to use the internet for more than chatting and looking up your favorite BLGO. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif It's a question of access also. You certanly cannot become certified in something you know nothing about.

Those inner-city schools that are lucky to have computers have antiquated equipment or the equipiment is stolen or vandalized or most of it is broken because the schools cannot afford to have a certified technician on staff to repair the machines. It's hard for someone who has trouble keeping food on the table or a roof over the family's head to see the point in sacrificing $800-$1000 for a computer, the benefit of which cannot be seen right away. And community centers that have computers often face an issue of who is going to teach the computer classes (for free) and, like the schools, who's going to repair them when they break.

But wait, that's where we computer literate, about-to-get-every-certification-known-to-man, public-service-minded-people-who-wear-the-funny-looking-letters-with-the-funny-sounding-names can help. Volunteer your time to help close the divide. Donate your older but technologically viable machines to local schools & community centers. Offer to teach you mentees and mentors about computers so they won't be left behind.

I agree with you. Becoming certified is the easiest way to boost your salary AT LEAST $10-$20K, and that's with just having the certification. Know what you're talking about and the IT job market is pretty much yours for the taking and it opens you up for all kinds of consulting opportunities, maybe even enough to open you own firm.

12dn94dst,
Just want to say GREAT POST! I will definitely pass this along at our next alum meeting - we have a ton of computer people that could use their skills to help the community out.

Thanks!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 12dn94dst:

Those inner-city schools that are lucky to have computers have antiquated equipment or the equipiment is stolen or vandalized or most of it is broken because the schools cannot afford to have a certified technician on staff to repair the machines. It's hard for someone who has trouble keeping food on the table or a roof over the family's head to see the point in sacrificing $800-$1000 for a computer, the benefit of which cannot be seen right away. And community centers that have computers often face an issue of who is going to teach the computer classes (for free) and, like the schools, who's going to repair them when they break.

Soror, my previous chapter ran into a similar problem. We planned on a computer lab for our Delta Academy girls but had to abandon the idea because the public schools only have MacIntosh machines! While we had several computer-proficient sorors in the chapter, none were experienced with the Mac.

While it is nice to have computers in the schools, it is essential that they be at least technologically up-to-date. BTW, not to dis' Mac but MOST people use PCs. I beleive the chapter is now trying to get donated PCs.

My current chapter has a computer lab in our Outreach Center where both Sorors and program participants can learn about computers and have internet access. In fact, I have just been slated to teach our Delta Academy girls how to build webpages.

It really is up to us, the Talented Tenth, to try to bridge that chasm called the Digital Divide. More and more of us need to embark on technological careers so that we can step to the fore and lead.

For those of you who are not aware, the Delta Academy is a National program of DST and is dedicated to exposing young Black females to careers in science, math and technology. You can read more about it on our National website at http://www.deltasigmatheta.org/delta_academy.htm.

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MCCOYRED

Dynamic
Salient
Temperate

Mu Psi '86
BaltCo Alumnae

[This message has been edited by mccoyred (edited February 05, 2001).]

As a Sales Executive in the High-Tech biz, this is concern that is near and dear to my heart. Iota Phi Theta is also working on this issue and our latest National Service Initiative addresses it directly.

For more info, take a look at The Digital Heritage Initiative

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IotaNet
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Alpha Eta Chapter, Spring, 1980

Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity
Zeta Nu Chapter, Spring, 1979

What a good and timely topic. The digital divide is something that needs to be addressed. It affects not just those in urban areas, but the older members of society - like blue-collar workers who do not have the free time or $$ to learn to use computers. One of my clients at work recently went to a 100% online medical benefit enrollment system. This is a factory facility and most of the employees are not computer literate, but instead of being given education and a chance to learn it is being thrust onto them and if they don't pick it up, too bad. We need a lot of help to close the gap but it will take patience and understanding on both sides.

5 years later, any thoughts or progress made?

I dunno.......but if you can't spell computer correctly....I probobly wouldn't trust you around one.

probobly?

/I'm just sayin'...

lmao

See...:rolleyes:

...Sh*t


Yeah that sucks for me. Gotta watch out for that "a". Komputer is pretty bad though. You have to admit.

WTF SoCal Thread:
Seems you have a habit of it.:p Maybe you need to switch the "a" & "o" on your keyboard.

The person who wrote "komputer" is from 2001 with 28 posts, I doubt he's around to care. But you're right, that is the first thing I noticed when I started reading this thread.

I think he did it on purpose.

I don't think anyone's questioning that...

As far as any progress made...

I have mixed feelings about the idea of the digital divide. I work at a library during the summer months and many patrons need help with programs and information on computers. It's not that these people don't have computers at home most times, they lack the internet, which has been one of the most growing agents of technology and communication.

I just think it's funny that many people are concerned more about the fact of entertainment's purpose in technology rather than the types of technology that is needed and tends to be more important. But everyone's priorities are different, so what can I say?

But the progress is definite and still spreading.

Really--- I thought that was macallan25's point.....

I figured it was a Kappa (Kappa Alpha Psi) thing, like "Krimson and Kream."

Yea, you are probAbly right.....didn't really think about that.

Still, I'm sorry, but if our computer techs emailed me and wrote "komputer", we'd be looking for new techs.

agreed

Not to defend someone who isn't even here (probably) anymore... but I doubt that he would have done so. The use of the term on a message board about Greek life should not lead one to think that in his professional life he would not use the correct spelling.

THANK YOU MM for responding to the question.

I believe the difference between the haves and the have nots in our nation's digital divide is closing. People might not have PCs in their homes but they have sidekicks, blackberries, play video games online, and navigation systems in their cars. More schools, community centers and public libraries have PCs and internet access.

I think the gap now is widening between young people who are being raised with computers in every day life, and elderly or others who may have never been exposed to using a computer. These people need our attention, and are on the other side of the digital divide. LOL my dad falls into this category - he needed a "formal introduction" to the internet, so he took a class at the local community college.

Have chapters or organizations on an (inter)National level made any strides to close the gap in this sense?