Video Response

My initial response to the video was a bit critical. First of all, it seemed extremely outdated. How is it even possible to be even part of a digital divide when the technology is not available to most people anyways? Al Gore's appearance in the video emphasized how outdated this video was, and during the early and mid 90s was when the internet age was just starting to boom, therefore not everyone had access to it because of the fact not enough time had passed. In that regards, i felt that the video fell way short of explaining the digital divide with the student and high school examples it gave.

Louisa saved up for nearly 3 years or so to buy a computer working at Long John Silvers. This is way too antiquated because even with minimum wage, computers nowadays are not that expensive. Thus, I believe only a privileged few had access to personal computers during this time, but does that really mean a digital divide was occurring? It may have been a start to the digital divide, but the video explains it as if it were in full blown effect already which is definitely not the case. Even though Louisa got access to computers and it was her way out of a gang, it did not necessarily help her succeed in her education. She failed to graduate with her class, therefore attributing success to computers and computers only is a big claim which should be taken with a grain of salt. There are other factors that attribute to one's success, and the video seemed to contradict itself in that manner.

Travis went to New Tech High thinking it would create new opportunities for him in the future. He compared his friends and said how they didnt have goals in mind for their future just because they werent that tech savy with computers. I feel that is a load of crap. Lets be honest, even though Travis graduated with his class, just like the overwhelming majority of other students from other high schools do, he was still unable to go to college due to his financial situation. New Tech High, even with all its glory and computers and visits from Al Gore could not educate Travis enough or give him an extraordinary skill set which could allow him to get a scholarship. Therefore I think its a leap to blame an education system on the basis that if it does not provide enough computers or high speed internet access, it will fail to create opportunities for its students. Travis found no opportunity, either in the work force or for college, after graduating from such a "Tech savy" school.

Kep's reason for success was not due to which high school he attended, it was because of his work ethic, intelligence, and ambition that made him stand out and succeed. But this is the case with any individual, whether they are going to New Tech High or any other high school in the country. Therefore I feel that the video attempting to explain the digital divide did an extremely horrible job trying to do so, with the use of bad examples, antiquated film, and narrow focus on computer education.