"Soon the digital divide will not be between the haves and the have-nots. It will be between the know-hows and the non-know-hows."
_{Howard Rheingold}

Technology,media and information are undoubtedly an important asset in the academic paradigm. It made learning easy,fun,accessible and readily available in just one snap of a finger. Well this is absolutely true because the popularity of digital technology is sweeping the world by storm since it goes beyond convenience,availability and cost.It's real implication is that it establishes an important link to the improvement of the whole learning experience.

Everyone would agree that life is distinctly different in the present age. History has always shown changes and developments into the society. Society's evolution also teams up with the transition of traditional media to new media. The change of era is evoked by the desire to improve lives. Digital media holds an immense power to change the world around us because of its versatility in fulfilling the needs of the people.

Communication,information,research and entertainment content is made available for everyone. From snail-mails to emails. Acquiring information is as easy as 123,where it could cost you a penny or even for free.Before, media,information and technology was for the selected few but now it is for everybody regardless of age,status or racial backgrounds. We are enjoying all these perks and thanks to digital technology we are living a more comfortable life.

Digital Technology on Improvement of the Learning Environment

Students' access to varied types of digital technologies has already reinvented the learning experience. Before, the concept of learning was boring and unattractive for some because of it's traditional way of learning environment. Since it is so traditional it suddenly causes individuals to lose their thirst for knowledge and ideas. Learning has always been expected as tiring but a beneficial component to establish a professional or prominent career in the future.

The conventional ways of teaching and learning is progressing into the digital learning world. Where teachers could get numerous amount of learning resources from the internet or other media outlets. Learners on the other has wide variety of knowledge based resources stemming from printed media sources to online educational archives. We always give importance to education because it's our golden ticket to live a sustainable life,with a good paying job and a perfect family which is then associated to a good life.

The presence of technology in education also emphasizes this idea:

"The digital media does not force the people or the learners to receive data or information."

Because some students may still opt to embrace the traditional way of learning than the modern one depending on where they are comfortable at. But it is evident that media had made information in demand and is sought after. A media,information and technology learner take these as advantageous in their part to further enhance their academic knowledge.

But what if digital media is deprived to our student's appetite for information?

Digital divide

The concept of digital divide is wrapped around the idea of boundaries between people who has contact to digital information technology and to those who dont have access to it at all.

In Marxist's point of view, there is an ongoing class struggle between the rich and the poor and capitalism is it's main culprit.

This logical example can also be related with the concept of digital divide. Students who came from low income communities are usually impoverished by this opportunity. While students who belong to middle or high income school districts are usually the first ones to grab this opportunity.

Impacts of Digital Divide to Learners Academic Behavior

The access of internet and other digital devices are deemed to have both pros and cons in students behavior in school. If learners will have a full access to what technology can offer when it comes to academic needs it is not surprising that it could yield out positive impact to their educational performance. If they are provided with a lot of learning avenues then students would be able to grasp information effectively. Wide array of data and examples available in the internet could widen their horizons when it comes to their learning endeavors. Excellent social skills,leadership potentials and self-confidence abilities could mold their productive intrapersonal or interpersonal behaviors to a more competent and competitive individual. On the contrary,it is also not surprising that the presence of digital technology could result into internet and gaming addiction,social media dependency and vice versa which could influence their grades at school or with their interaction with their family and peers.

On the other hand,the disadvantages of not having a shot to access digital learning materials is slipping the chance to utilize this tool for education. Students should be taught on how to make use of digital technology so as not to be left out with this changing world. One must be adept to use media and information since knowledge acquired into it could open a lot of doors for our students. Not only are they given a chance to voice out their public opinion but it can also improve their quality of life,promote economic and livelihood opportunities or could help them strengthen collective bonds with the society.

The great digital divide if not taken seriously could inflict behavioral & psychological changes with our learners as time passes by. It also gives a lot of varied consequences when it comes to it's impact to our learners academic learning behaviors.

References:
1.Psychology of the Internet,Internet Addiction,Digital Divide & Online Gaming
2. Digital Divide: The Technology Gap Between The Rich & The Poor
3.Achieving Equity Through Tackling The Digital Divide
4.What is Digital Divide?
5.What Is The Digital Divide's Impact on Learning?
6.UCI Professors Finds New Digital Divide Threatening The Well-Being Of Low-Income Teens

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@sakura1012