Digital Divide research topic 1 post4

The digital divide continued....

How does the divide effect my community my country?

Welcome back everyone this post I'm going to explore some of the questions I asked in my last post.

How many computers per student at school now?


What I found today is that the Gillard government has progressed with the delivery of computers to students across the years of 9-12 to be about one in three students having computers.

The department of Education estimates about 14,000 computers a month are being rolled out.

There are about one million students from year nine to year twelve as of April 2010.

What are the hold ups.
Well the delivery has blown out from $1 billion to $2 billion "thats double" and most likely will escalate before the programs goals have been reached, the plan was budgeted at 2.4 billion over seven years 2007-14 .
Why the blow out well it's simple the infrastructure of wireless in each school and the support staff needed to maintain systems has been under assessed.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/gillard-defends-failure-to-deliver-computers-to-schools-20100529-wmle.html


Who is effected by the digital divide and in what geographical area?

As of April 2010 computers rolled out to students in these three states by student % in schools are as follows:
N.S.W is 48.5%
S.A 15%
Victoria 28%

Clearly the roll out is inequitable for rural areas.

Are computer science/skills compulsory?

Not really sure on this question the ACARA site dosen't really make it clear , I believe currently schools have been individually responsible in establishing there own bench marks and delivery methods for ICT and the skills needed by students.

What are teachers responsibilities to ICT in schools?


The delivery of ICT is different at  every school and each faculty has different responsibilities currently I'm responsible at my schoolplacement to make sure each student 7-10 can: as of 2004 technology dept.

• Use a word processing application to create a printed document.
• Use a software application to develop a published piece of original work which includes graphics.

What is the difference is service providers from rural to capitol city's?


The service providers are about half the number in the city so competition isn't as fierce.


To be continued.......

• What is the importants of bridging the digital divide?
• How much of the curriculum in schools will be digital?
• Inclusion or participation?

thanks

Reference

ACARA
http://www.acara.edu.au/curriculum/curriculum.html

The digital revolution policy!
http://www.deewr.gov.au/Schooling/DigitalEducationRevolution/Pages/default.aspx

Parlimentary Libary of Australia

http://www.aph.gov.au/library/pubs/cib/2001-02/02cib01.htm