Access to technology and education

Answer

Inequitable Access to Technology and Education in the United States of America

The impact of technology has been long debated since the invention of the internet and personal computers. Many argue that the increased dependency on technology has significantly destroyed people and society at large. However, they seemingly forget the benefits of such inventions and their possible positive impact on humanity. Despite being a global technological leader, the United States is yet to use technology and innovation to solve contemporary issues such as inequality.  The disparities and inequalities in access to technology and education have remained high in the US, making it difficult for economically disadvantaged and vulnerable groups to achieve the American Dream.

Technological innovation brings about changes that benefit communities and widen the existing social class gap. Text 1, line 1, likened technology transformations to any other improvement to human society that is not equally available to every member of the society.  Income distribution is one contributor to inequality. High-income-earning individuals or households will tend to enjoy the latest improvements in society than low-income earners. Deskoska and Vlčková mention technological changes alongside globalization as the two main causes of income inequalities in the US (64).

The commercialization of internet services and electronic gadgets may seem ubiquitous, but not all people can access them or use them appropriately. Equitable access is more than just having the technology at your disposal. Instead, it measures the level of participation in accessing and obtaining the relevant information using the platforms. However, this is not the case. In Text 1, line 6, the increasing knowledge gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not is a worrying trend. For example, accessing the internet through a mobile phone does not guarantee the flexibility and ease of application compared to assessing it through a computer. As such, those who cannot afford to acquire the right devices will still face challenges in using and benefiting from technology. 

The technological inequality is more evident in the education sector. Equitable access to technology and information is power and worth fighting for. It is an empowerment tool and can promote learning amongst students and improve their chances of excelling in today’s technologically-driven world.  Moreover, the transfer of knowledge becomes easy with modern technology since the human brain naturally tends to work better and faster when assisted directly or indirectly (Raja and Nagasubramani S33). The education sector has faced numerous challenges for centuries, from the racial segregation of schools and discrimination. Such issues have remained evident even today despite several attempts to resolve them. Presently there seems to be a shift from racial-based discrimination to technology-based discrimination.

Even though learners from all races and ethnicities are allowed by the law to attend schools, the disparity in the education they receive is still worrying, as mentioned in Text 2, Line 18. Those from financially stable backgrounds attend private schools where education is of high quality. These students also reside in areas with adequate access to technology, just like the schools they study. On the other hand, students from disadvantaged and vulnerable communities attend local schools with inadequate technology services. Due to difficulties they experience while studying, the majority end up dropping out of school. Physical health problems, unemployment, and social costs are some of the factors leading to high school dropouts in the US (Lee-St. John et al. 1). These factors are largely associated with poor students. With better resources and structural support, students from wealthy backgrounds effectively use technology and are destined for better opportunities than their counterparts.

Attaining the American dream is a dream of every child or student, especially those from low-income earning backgrounds. However, with social constraints combined with inequitable access to technology and education, achieving the dream has become more difficult and complicated. Those who make it through have to work extra hard to overcome the obstacles. This includes overcoming the temptations to drop out of school prevalent amongst this group, as noted in Text 3, Line 33-35.  The majority of undergraduate students are first-generation college students and have a lot to work for and achieve. According to Moody, such students are always talented and academically prepared, only that sometimes they lack the necessary information and support to complete their studies and how to go about their career paths. However, with adequate resources, these students can complete their studies and benefit from different opportunities like those from well-off backgrounds.

In conclusion, technology has created changes that have led to greater inequality and social drift. With inequitable access to technology and education that is largely evident today, technology advances will remain a modern-day social segregation tool. Technology is power and its role in promoting education and opportunities for learners is vital and cannot be overlooked. Therefore, it is important to enact measures that will promote access to technology and high-quality education for all students regardless of their race or social status. In doing so, the disadvantaged students will enjoy the benefits of technology changes and the associated opportunities, thereby achieving their American dreams like the advantaged students.