Classwork Exercise and Series (Computer Studies (JSS3): Digital Divide

Meaning Of Digital Divide

Digital divide refers to the gap between people with effective access to digital and information technology and those with very limited or no access at all. The Digital Divide, or the digital split, is a social issue referring to the differing amount of information between those who have access to the Internet (specially broadband access) and those who do not have access. The term became popular among concerned parties, such as scholars, policy makers, and advocacy groups, in the late 1990s.

In other words, digital divide refers to a situation in which people do not have same degree of access to modern digital information and communication technology (ICT) and for this reason, do not have the same opportunities for social and economic development. It includes the imbalance both in physical access to technology, the resource and skill needed to effectively participate as a digital citizen.

Bridging The Digital Divide

The digital can be bridged but the procedure has to be difference from different country and region. The very basic step would be to provide digital access to those in the community who do not have it. However, to be able to do so, countries would have to reduce the base price of gadgets or subsidise them. This would be too much of a burden on the economy of most developing countries. Steps are being taken to over come this with projects like one laptop per child and so on.

The Old Economy Versus The New Economy

Earlier, development in the agricultural sector was slow. Agriculture was time consuming because works were done manually, but if we look recently there has been a change because digital equipment have increased the speed of agricultural production. This also applies to other sections too.

Features Of The Old Economy

 In the old economy, companies were experienced to decline in growth because of the following

1. Time Consuming: Operations were time consuming because of limited technology
2. Labour Base: Man power was much required because work was done manually
3. Mechanincal: The transport system was mechanical in old time because of the process it passes through from stream engine to work
4. Constraint Of Time, Space And Distance: These occur because business owners established their industries far from the city in order to avoid pollution of the atmosphere. Sometimes these machines are large and require lots of space.

Features Of The New Economy

1. Digital : Digital technology in the new economy is very fast and it requires less time and man power.
2. Time, Distance And Space IS Irrelevant: All because of the use of latest digital equipment, like mobile phone, internet, laptop, e.t.c which enables information go fast from one place to another, time and distance have become quite irrelevant.
3. Technology Driven: In the world today, technology plays a major role in life of humanity. The brilliance of these technologies is that communication is not limited. Hence it is in continuous revolution.
4. Knowledge Based: In recent times labour is not too efficient in day to day activities because digital technology is visible in almost every field of our lives and it will continue to bring to light the areas of  limitation of the old economy. In the old economy, method of operation was slow and time consuming.

Benefits Of The New Economy

1. The size of equipment is reduced.
2. Business can start with small capital.

For more class notes, visit: http://passnownow.com/classwork-support/