This book presents analysis of the "learning digital divide" in different countries - developed and developing - and the policies and specific innovations designed to bridge it.

Examines factors that collectively create and sustain the present inequalities in student access to digital technologies, and discusses some of the challenges and opportunities for addressing the issue. The 15 chapters explore philosophical and sociocultural aspects of digital equity, consider the needs of particular populations of learners, and suggest organizational structures and policies for instituting systematic change. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This book presents analysis of the "learning digital divide" in different countries - developed and developing - and the policies and specific innovations designed to bridge it.

Crossing the Bridge of the Digital Divide: A Walk with Global Leaders explores the combined effect of the rapid growth of information as an increasingly fragmented information base, a large component of which is available only to people with money and/or acceptable institutional affiliations. In the recent past, the outcome of these challenges has been characterized as the "digital divide" between the information “haves” and “have nots” along racial and socio economic lines that seem to widen as time passes. To address the issues of digital equity and digital inequality in an effort to bridge the digital divide, educational scholars, researchers and practitioners are in positions to ensure equitable opportunities are made available for people of all ages, races, ability, sexual orientation, and ethnicity in support of social justice for bridging the digital divide. The digital divide addresses issues concerning equal opportunity, equity and access that have an effect on the development of marginalized and otherwise disenfranchised populations within and across systems nationally and internationally. The contributing authors- representing Unites States, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and the UK - posit that education institutions can serve as the bridge to close the digital divide for students who do not have access to information technology in their homes. At a time when more computers are made available in schools than ever before, the digital divide continues to widen and fewer people in the lowest SES groups are given the opportunity to join the world of computer technology and the internet. As a result, the influence of leadership activity on institutional racism, gender discrimination, inequality of opportunity, inequity of educational processes, digital exclusion, and justice have gained currency and attention. The contributing national and international authors examine the digital divide in terms of social justice leadership, equity and access. It is within this context that the authors offer discussions from a lens of their choice, i.e. conceptual, review of literature, epistemological, etc. By adopting an educational approach to bridging the digital divide, researchers and practitioners can connect and extend long established lines of conceptual and empirical inquiry aimed at improving organizational practices and thereby gain insights that might be otherwise overlooked, or assumed. This holds great promise for generating, refining, and testing theories of leadership for equity and access, and helps strengthen already vibrant lines of inquiry on social justice.

There are many teaching and curriculum programs that attempt to make education relevant to the wider sociocultural environment of learners. Volume 5 focuses on research on curriculum and teaching from a sociocultural perspective. Authors will discuss exemplary examples of research on curriculum initiatives, teaching resources, and teaching approaches that reflect a concern for sociocultural issues broadly defined, while also mapping out implications, future issues, and future research agendas. There will be chapters on reading mathematics, science, language, social science, history, music, health education, religious and moral education, information technology, vocational education, and multicultural studies. The text will be relevant to educators across all levels of education.

Teacher preparation programs in the United States and around the world have finally begun to address this deficiency in their programs. The realization that technology is a powerful driving force in education coupled with a renewed emphasis on teacher preparation by governments have resulted in some dramatic changes in teacher preparation programs. I believe that we have just begun to see changes in teacher preparation and that the pace of change will continue to accelerate. This volume covers some of the more exciting developments in the field, including the emergence of wireless computing in the classroom and the preparation of teachers in an online environment. In short, I am optimistic. For those of you who are also in the field, I think you will agree. For those who are just entering the field, this book is a great place to start as you change education. Finally, while this book is the last book of the three part series that we at CAIT conceptualized with Charalambos Vrasidas and Gene Glass, it is also the beginning of a new relationship. We are excited to join with a new partner, CARDET, to present this book. Over many years in the education and R&D field, I have come to realize the value of partnerships and relationships. I want to thank both Charalambos and Gene for making this series a reality and such a success. We are looking forward to working with them and CARDET in the near future.

Covers the important concepts, methodologies, technologies, applications, social issues, and emerging trends in this field. Provides researchers, managers, and other professionals with the knowledge and tools they need to properly understand the role of end-user computing in the modern organization.