Abstract The paper addresses the gender gap within the digital divide between men and women, and across nations and economic levels. It gives reasons why the gender gap is a cause for concern, and why the digital divide is important.
From the Paper "Men and women do not access information and communication technology ICT at the same rates nor do they enter the fields that develop future ICT applications and direction at the same rates. There is a digital divide that is widening between men and women in this regard and the divide exists across nations and economic levels. This research considers the digital divide in general, the gender gap within the digital divide in particular and reasons that the gender gap ..."
Tags: OECD, organization economic co-operation, development, international business, digital divide, gender gap, UNDP
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of consociational models and whether they would work in deeply divided societies. The writer explores the models being used in several other places including the Netherlands and Switzerland. The reader is first given a detailed explanation of how such a model operates and what its positive aspects are. Then the writer touches on some of the negative aspects. Finally the entire idea is brought to the door of deeply divided societies and the writer explains whether or not the model can be applied to those divided societies successfully.
From the Paper "Every society likes to entertain the belief that they have the truth in the best societal practice. If asked each government will tell the inquirer that their form of government and their societal system is the most well thought out and best system there is. Part of this may come from the need to believe they are providing the best possible system for those who live within its boundaries, and part of it may be a true belief that it is the best because they are comfortable with its operation. The truth is often somewhere in the middle and the systems could always use some tweaking to make them as perfect as their representatives would have them sound."
Tags: society, culture, division, democracy, border, government
Abstract There are many in today's society who do not have access to the internet and this fact automatically makes them 'digitally challenged'. This paper analyzes three articles which tackled the different dimensions or facets of the digital divide in the United States. Through the article analyses, the researcher posits that the problem of digital divide has multiple, rather than one, facet. This means that at present, the internet-oriented society confronts 'digital divides' of different kinds: Stratification in terms of access, use and even knowledge or education about the internet.
From the Paper "At present, societies from all over the world are rapidly becoming Internet-oriented, where almost all daily activities are mediated by or use Internet and computer technologies. The vital role of the Internet is especially addressed in increasing one's level of knowledge and becoming an aid in achieving formal education. Moreover, because of the generally-beneficial effects of Internet technology to society, accessing and using it has become imperative for all members of these Internet-oriented societies.
However, a digital divide exists despite the proliferation of Internet technology and use. There are still stratified groups that do not have access to the computer and Internet. Moreover, apart from lack or absence of access, the lack of skills and knowledge to use the Internet is another problem that relevant institutions such as the government and schools have been trying to curb by offering free access and training programs to the public about Internet use."
This paper discusses the "digital divide"-- a term used to describe the disparities in the availability of information and technologies that are instrumental in learning and earning more over a lifetime.
Abstract This paper discusses the "digital divide" that exists in the United States. First, the author defines this term as referring to the disparity in learning and earning potential based on income, race, geography, ethnicity and many other social factors. Next, the Internet is shown to be a measure of this problem. Third world countries are also considered in terms of the "digital divide." Finally, the paper suggests ways of overcoming this problem and the role of IT professionals in finding a solution.
From the Paper "There is a significant digital divide in the United States, one of the wealthiest nations in the world, and throughout both westernized and third world nations too. The digital divide is a term that refers to wide disparities in the availability of information and technologies that are instrumental in learning and earning more over a lifetime. The Internet has become an indispensable tool for gaining greater knowledge and skills through distance learning. Due to the digital divide, the potential to advancement out of poverty for those in low-income regions of the U.S. and the world greatly diminishes their ability to break the cycle of poverty in their families. The digital divide is defined as the disparity in learning and earning potential based on income, race, geography, ethnicity and many other social factors."
Tags: Information, technology, Internet, third, world
Abstract This paper discusses the digital divide within the United States and worldwide. It discusses the reasons for the gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not and the implications of the gap. The paper then looks at possible solutions to the problems caused by the digital divide and the writer's opinion of the solutions' merits.
From the Paper "It is my opinion that the digital divide might never be bridged, the gap between the haves and the have nots is too wide and donating computers and software applications to underdeveloped areas is not going to solve the problem. Innovation and technological advancements are hard to catch up with due to economic and education problems especially from a global perceptive. For example, it is complicated to educate someone in East Africa about the internet when they lack electricity and have no TVs. The goal should be to help the world one day at a time by providing essential amenities for survival and hopefully information technology will spread."
Abstract This paper presents an examination of the wilderness area of the Continental Divide Trail and takes at look at its history, modern threats to its ecological systems, and efforts that are being made to preserve it.
From the Paper "The Continental Divide Trail is controversial because its construction has touched on issues that were present back in the days of the Old West: it impedes on the territories of some Native American tribes, it has the potential to exploit or destroy delicate ecosystems and animal species that live along the trail, and it paves a path over virgin terrain for white yuppies to exploit previously uninhabited lands. As we will see in this paper, these current events are directly related to the historic settlement of the Old West. "
The following paper discusses Lincoln's now-famous "House Divided" speech of 1858 which exemplifies the primary factors that strongly influenced him on both a personal and a political level.
Abstract This paper explores Lincoln's eloquence of language and simplicity of reason that brought him to the attention of the newly-formed political party known as the Republicans and prompted them to present him to a surprised Washington as their platform's candidate in the presidential election of 1860. The abolition of slavery and the events concerning this issue are discussed in detail.
Table of contents
A Personal View of A Divided Nation
A Pragmatic Policy Toward Emancipation
A Short Second Term
From the Paper ?Abraham Lincoln's election to the U.S. presidency occurred at a time when tensions between the Northern and Southern sectors of the nation had been embroiled in a bitter dispute regarding slavery for quite some time. By the time of the 1860 election, Lincoln's view on the institution of slavery was common and widespread knowledge within both the North and the South, and each of these sectors had both preconceptions and expectations of the new president's first official acts of office. Both sides, along with the majority of Washington officials, expected an immediate proclamation concerning the abolition of slavery. Both sides, as well as Washington, however, were yet again surprised, for the new president had on his mind and as his policy a more gradual and pragmatic emancipation plan.?
Abstract This paper studies the digital divide - the fact that many people have not yet been exposed to technology and other have. It discusses some of the possible reasons for this such as gender, socioeconomic conditions, ethnicity, as well as many other reasons. It discusses technology implementation in the school system regardless of ethnicity so that every child is given an equal opportunity. It concludes that technology access has increased in the recent years but there is still a long way to go, especially in schools.
From the Paper " ? The role of education in contributing to a fairer society has always been double edged. When successful in widening participation in learning, its contribution is powerful and positive. But too often, it can have the opposite effect of being socially selective, even divisive? (Istance, 2001, Abstract, p.1). The price for missing out on education is high. However, many people are not afforded the same educational opportunities as others. Differences in gender, socio-economic background, ethnicity, people with special needs, and people's experience with and access to technology limit their chances at quality education. With a world that changes and progresses as fast as it does, educational equity must span a lifetime."
Tags: computer, digital, divide, education, implementation, internet, technology, women
Abstract This paper looks at how, in his book, White reacts to a number of trends and events in American political life, notably the election of 2000 and the way the electorate divided so nearly right down the middle on the candidates and the issues. It shows how this closeness was seen most clearly in the vote for President, a vote which was so close that the U.S. Supreme Court finally had to decide the election.
From the Paper "White wants to know how the country got so divided, and he sees the division as a question of values. In particular, he sees many who might have supported the Democrats before as being turned off by the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, so they voted for George Bush specifically to regain values they saw as lost. This leads White to consider what the differences might be between the Democrats and the Republicans in terms of values. Both parties claim to represent certain core values, though those values have become more and more general as time has passed, values such as freedom, equality, individuality, and security. The divide is found on the means by which these value are to be secured and assured, and the two parties have distinctly different approaches to these questions. This division in the country is what White calls the "values divide," which has as much to do with methods undertaken to assure values as with the values themselves."
Abstract This six-page undergraduate paper is a book review of the book, Chicago Divided: The Making of a Black Mayor, by Paul Kleppner. The author summarizes the book, discusses its interesting and boring aspects, and suggests how the book could have been better.
Abstract This paper examines how in "The Republic", Plato introduces both the allegories of the "Cave" and the "Divided Line" in order to further his explanation of the perfect government. It looks at how he believes that the state will be perfectly ordered if a guardian who knows the "Good" is in charge of it and how he uses the allegories to enable his readers to understand the intellectual transition that the guardians must go through to understand what is "Good".
From the Paper "There are six stages to the allegory of the Cave. (a) In an underground cave, a group of prisoners are held captive in such a way that they can only see the back wall of the cave. Behind them is a large fire and in between them and the fire people are walking with artifacts so that shadows are projected onto the back wall of the cave (514a-515c). (b) They are set free and turn to look at the fire, but can see neither it nor the artifacts as they are dazzled by the bright light (515c-e). (c) They are forced out of the cave and into the world above and can see nothing clearly owing to dazzling so they look at the shadows that the sun projects (515e-516a). (d) Eventually they come to look at actual objects (516a)."
Abstract This paper aims to develop an understanding of how the digital divide can adversely affect emerging nations and to identify effective and timely methods whereby access to such technologies can be improved in developing nations in general, and in Ethiopia in particular. It employs a mixed-method strategy to achieve these goals. The multiple-method strategy is adopted for this study in order to reduce the possibility of personal bias by not depending on only one method of approach or response coming from only one company, individual or sector. Employing the mixed-method approach therefore supports and reinforces the authenticity of the study. The paper employs both qualitative and quantitative data in a variety of ways, including a detailed overview of survey results in terms of a general profile and a model of Ethiopian small firms and how they are employing IT to improve their access to markets. Surveys were also conducted with a convenience sample of respondents who were interested or involved with promoting the small business sector in Ethiopia.
Table of Contents
Chapter One: Introduction to the Study
Introduction
Technology and Social Change
Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Research Questions
Theoretical Foundation
Significance
Definitions of Technical Terms
Limitations
Summary
Chapter Two: Review of the Literature
Chapter Three: Methodology/Research Design
Introduction
Methods
Population and Sampling Procedures
Instrumentation (Validity, Reliability)
Summary of the Pilot Study
Data Collection Procedures
Data Analysis
Statistical Procedures
Chapter Four: Findings
Chapter Five: Conclusion and Recommendations
From the Paper "In the Age of Information, an important topic of growing concern to most countries around the world, the 'Digital Divide" is generally defined as being the degree of the gap in technology ownership and access between those who are affluent and those who are poor or live in rural areas with limited or no access to the Internet. According to Melvin Delgado (2002), the origins of the term "digital divide" have been traced back to Al Gore, the then vice president, in 1996. There is controversy about aspects of the divide, as Conhaim (2000) noted: "A debate is raging about the Digital Divide, which is the gap between 'haves' and 'have nots' in the fast-moving, globally interlinked, computerized world" (p. 8). Improving the levels of access and ownership relates to three fundamental factors: race, geography and economic status (Charp, 2001). There are an estimated 429 million people online globally, but even this staggering number is small when considered in context. For example, of those 429 million, fully 41 percent live in North America; in addition, 429 million people represents only 6 percent of the world's entire population."
Abstract The paper shows how, in "The Great Gatsby", F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the locations East Egg and West Egg to show a strong divide in social class, the American Dream as it changed for different people and the immorality of the 1920s.
From the Paper "The party on East Egg from chapter one and the party in West Egg from chapter three show a major divide between East Egg and West Egg. The parties were used to separate the more defined and well bred East Egg from the less fashionable West Egg (symbolism 1). For instance, while at the East Egg party Fitzgerald refers the drinks as cocktails, and while at the West Egg party it is simply referred to as whiskey. This example is used to show the East Egg looks down on West Egg and to further divide the two in social standing."
Abstract Studies of divided attention have shown that the degree to which one task interferes with another will depend in part on the stimulus and response characteristics of the two tasks. This paper proposes a study in which participants will at average recall a significantly higher number of words when performing a dissimilar task (listening and doing manual work) as compared with performing a similar task (reading a prose passage).
Outline
Contents
Abstract
Introduction
Method
Design
Participants
Apparatus
Procedure
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Appendices
From the Paper "A study on task similarity by Allport et al. (1972) was done using participants who heard a list of words presented through headphones into one ear. The participant's task was to simply shadow these words. Simultaneously, participants were also presented with a second list. No immediate response was required to the second list but later on memory was tested for these items. Allport et.al. used three conditions. In one condition, the memory items consisting of words were presented into the other ear, so that participants were hearing and shadowing a list of words in one ear while simultaneously hearing the memory list in the other ear. In the second and third conditions, the memory items were presented visually by a different list of words and pictures respectively on a screen. Allport et al. suggested that the first condition (hear words + hear words) involves very similar tasks, and the second and third condition (hear words + see words/pictures) involves less similar tasks. "
Abstract This paper explains that Lind Stout's 1996 book "Bridging the Class Divide" is meant to help middle-class activists. The author points out that the book includes the way to wage more inclusive and effective progressive movements.
From the Paper "A progressive from a working class background in "Bridging the Class Divide", author Lind Stout provides an account of how middle-class activists may be unaware that the contribute to the class divide that occurs within current social ..."