Digital Inequality in Tennessee

Mr. Bill Haslam, Tennessee Governor and Mr. Kevin Huffman, Department of Education Commissioner

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Task Force Members

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Internet Adoption, 1995-2012

Infographic source: http://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-%28Adults%29/Internet-Adoption.aspx

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Gadget Ownership

Infographic source: http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Digital-differences/Main-Report/The-power-of-mobile.aspx

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The Digital Divide

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Digital Inequality

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Source: Horrigan (2010). http://transition.fcc.gov/DiversityFAC/032410/consumer-survey-horrigan.pdf

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Filling in the missing pieces: digital divide and digital inequality.

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Image credit: Johann Dreo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nojhan/3204073130/ (Creative Commons)

Expand staffing and other resources so that public schools can be open to the public after normal school hours, on weekends, and during the summer months.
Primary Advantage: Schools are already equipped with computers and internet access.
Primary Disadvantage: Expense. There would be no initial costs for the infrastructure, but there would be a substantial daily expense for staffing the lab, heat, electricity, etc.

Rank: 7
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/33110315@N02/3095260648/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Provide computers for disadvantaged individuals

Primary Advantage: Is a direct step in providing access to the Internet to those who are not currently "connected".
Primary Disadvantage: Cost, training necessary to use the computers, maintenance, equipment theft.

Rank: 6
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Free online educational content giving first priority to content most relevant to lower socio-economic groups before content that is relevant to the rest of the public.
Primary Advantage - free online content already available; even more feasible if paired with Option 6 as infrastructure is in place already Primary Disadvantage - not inclusive; furthermore, how do you supervise access (logistical nightmare)? Feasibility: Medium to High
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Credit::John M. Harper Branch Library http://harper.wpl.ca/?page_id=1615

Rank: 5

Provide information literacy courses to enhance computer skills and enable knowledgeable use of digital technologies.
Primary Advantage: Online tutorials are available 24/7 and are open to all; excellent variety in courses offered (basic to high end) for free or low cost Primary Disadvantage: Some individuals may need one-on-one training which could be expensive; reliant on Internet access

Rank: 4
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Feasibility: Medium to High

Screen shot: http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/courses/

Install computers in all public libraries in the state and expand the hours when the computers are available.
Primary Advantage: Public libraries are trusted local resources that technology and people to help use it. Primary Disadvantage: Costs and sustainability are hard to determine. Feasibility: High

Rank: 3
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http://www.flickr.com/photos/njla/3306453159/ Creative Commons

Subsidize internet providers/low-cost internet

Primary Advantage: It gives the Tennessee population a better opportunity to be connected to the internet by reducing the cost involved.
Primary Disadvantage: Individuals would still have to provide their own computer. Feasibility: High

Rank: 2
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Image credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jkannenberg/3103854735/ Creative Commons

Provide high-speed internet and mobile access for all citizens.

Primary Advantage: Is a direct step in providing access to the Internet to everyone who is not "connected".
Primary Disadvantage: Still need equipment, infrastructure, and cost Feasibility: Medium

Rank: 1
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Additional Option - Provide internet access and computer functionality via cabled televisions

Primary Advantage: Provide internet access/training via an existing device that they already spend a lot of time with.
Primary Disadvantage: Possibly costs or training Feasibility: High

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Additional Option: Tech Trucks

Primary Advantage: Extreme mobility. Primary Disadvantage: Experimental. Leading edge innovation.

Feasibility: High
http://www.flickr.com/photos/muyyum/5570717734/ Creative Commons

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References:

Brayton, C. (2011). The American Library Association and Its Response to the Broadband Initiative: The Future of Library Service. Tennessee Libraries, 61(4), Retrieved from http://www.tnla.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=455 Broadband Availability in Tennessee (2012). Connected Tennessee. Retrieved from http://www.connectedtn.org/sites/default/files/connected-nation/Tennessee/files/tn_availability-feb2012.pdf Connected Tennessee (2012). Retrieved from http://www.connectedtn.org/ DiMaggio, P., & Hargittai, E. (2001). From the 'digital divide' to 'digital inequality:' Studying Internet use as penetration increases. Princeton University Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies, Working Paper Series number, 15. Retrieved from http://www.princeton.edu/~artspol/workpap/WP15 - DiMaggio+Hargittai.pdf Food Trucks (2012). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_truck Hargittai, E. (2003). The digital divide and what to do about it. New Economy Handbook, 821-839. Retrieved from http://www.eszter.com/research/pubs/hargittai-digitaldivide.pdf Horrigan, J.B. (2010). Broadband Adoption & Use in America: Results from an FCC Survey. Retrieved from http://transition.fcc.gov/DiversityFAC/032410/consumer-survey-horrigan.pdf Pew Internet & Family Life Project (2012). Gadget Ownership. Pew Internet & Family Life Project. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-%28Adults%29/Internet-Adoption.aspx Pew Internet & Family Life Project (2012). Trend Data (Adults). Pew Internet & Family Life Project. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-%28Adults%29/Internet-Adoption.aspx Pew Internet & Family Life Project (2012). Who's Online? Pew Internet & Family Life Project. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/Trend-Data-%28Adults%29/Whos-Online.aspx Ryder, M. (2006). The Digital Divide. from Encyclopedia of Science, Technology, and Ethics. Retrieved from http://carbon.ucdenver.edu/~mryder/dig_div_este.html Tennessee State Library and Archives (2009). Technology. Retrieved from http://www.tennessee.gov/tsla/lps/technology.htm Urban and Rural Population, and by State (2006). Retrieved from http://www.allcountries.org/uscensus/37_urban_and_rural_population_and_by.html U.S. Census Bureau (2012). State & County Quickfacts: Tennessee. U.S. Department of Commerce. Retrieved from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/47000.html U.S. Department of Education (2010) National Education Technology Plan 2010. Retrieved from http://www.ed.gov/sites/default/files/netp2010.pdf Webwise. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/0/ Zickuhr, K. & Smith, A. (2012). Digital Differences. Pew Internet & Family Life Project. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2012/PIP_Digital_differences_041312.pdf Slides created for BSU

EDTECH 501 project, November 2012