Could you live without your computer and access to the internet? I am positive I could not. Computers and the internet contribute substantially to the quality of life we enjoy in the U.S; the ability to bank online, send messages around the world in seconds, access library books everywhere, perform research, get driving directions and get news instantly are just a few of the common tasks we undertake everyday on our computers and the internet. How many people do you know personally without at least one home computer? None, right?
Unfortunately, we are not there yet. "There" is the time and place where every household in the U.S. has a computer and access to the internet. If every home had a computer, learning really could be a "lifelong" family affair; children could teach parents and parents could be more involved with their children's education. Parents and students would have ongoing access to the academic support online from educators everywhere. Teachers could communicate with parents who are unable to make conferences for whatever reason. Distance education would be available to parents who can't do traditional programs because of work and family commitments. Disabilities could be easily accomodated. People would have the ability to see beyond their present circumstances and geography because the whole world would be at their fingertips.
Urban areas tend to have higher incidences of unemployment, school failure rates and drop out rates. Is there a correlation between computer literacy, access and these social issues? A causal connection between the two may be tenuous at best; but,undoubtedly, greater access to computers and computer literacy education would mitigate some of the effects and improve failure and drop out rates.
