Monday, April 21, 2014

Media Education

Media Education is becoming increasingly popular in elementary and high schools across the country. According to a 2010 report from the National Educational Statistics, there is one computer with internet access for every three children.


BUT, an article in the Huffington post brings our attention to the fact that not all public schools are receiving the same technological benefits as others, and the technology gap between schools is growing. Bronzeville school in the Chicago public school system has fallen behind other schools in it's district in the number of computers offered within the school. In addition, the computers are not updated, and they do not run well. Students in the area come from low income households and therefore do not have adequate computer access at home either. The school noticed that it's students are struggling with tasks like typing and saving due to their lack of computer access.



This inaccessibility to technology is not random. According to a 2013 government census on technology usage,  Black and Hispanic populations fall far being White and Asian populations in terms of both technology use and access. Low income households also suffer. Because certain populations within the US are so obviously disadvantaged in terms of media engagement and education, the cycle of poverty and discrimination will continue unless action is taken to give all our students the same opportunities.


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