Bridging the Digital Divide: Understanding the Shift from Old to New Economies Computer Studies JSS 3 First Term Lesson Notes Week 3

WEEK 3: DIGITAL DIVIDE

• Topics:
  1. Meaning and Concept of Digital Divide.
  2. Features of Old Economy:
     • Time-consuming processes, labor-based systems, mechanical operations.
     • Limited by space, time, and mechanical constraints.
  3. Limitations of the Old Economy.

Subject: Computer Studies

Class: JSS 3
Term: First Term
Week: 3
Age: 13 – 15 years
Topic: Digital Divide

Sub-topic: Meaning and Concept of Digital Divide and Features of the Old Economy

Duration: 40 minutes

Behavioral Objectives:

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define the concept of digital divide.
2. Explain the differences between the old and digital economies.
3. Identify the features and limitations of the old economy.
4. Understand the significance of reducing the digital divide.

Keywords:

• Digital Divide
• Old Economy
• Time-consuming
• Labor-based
• Mechanical Constraints

Set Induction:

Ask students whether they have access to computers or smartphones at home and discuss how technology affects their ability to learn or complete tasks faster. Transition into the concept of the digital divide and how people in different environments experience technology differently.

Entry Behavior:

Students have basic awareness of technology usage at home or in school and are familiar with its impact on daily activities.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Charts displaying features of the old and new economies
• A projector (optional)
• A short video on digital divide

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:

Students are aware of how technology speeds up processes, such as typing a document versus writing it by hand. This will help them understand the limitations of the old economy.

Embedded Core Skills:

• Critical thinking
• Digital literacy
• Problem-solving

Reference Books:

• Lagos State Approved Computer Studies Textbook
• Internet articles on the digital divide

CONTENT

Meaning of Digital Divide:

The digital divide refers to the gap between individuals, households, or countries that have access to modern information and communication technologies (ICT) and those that do not. This divide exists due to factors such as income, infrastructure, education, and geography.

Features of the Old Economy:

1. Time-consuming processes: Tasks take longer to complete.
2. Labor-based systems: Rely heavily on physical labor.
3. Mechanical operations: Machines are used, but not digital technologies.
4. Limited by space and time: Productivity is restricted by physical location and work hours.

Limitations of the Old Economy:

1. Slow processes: Tasks like mailing letters took days or weeks.
2. High labor costs: More workers were required to complete jobs.
3. Limited communication: Information sharing was slow and expensive.
4. Constrained production: Work could only be done in certain locations and times.

Fill-in-the-Blank Questions with Options:

1. The __________ refers to the gap between people who have access to technology and those who do not.
   a) digital economy
   b) digital divide
   c) digital access
   Answer: b) digital divide
2. __________ processes take a lot of time to complete.
   a) Instant
   b) Mechanical
   c) Time-consuming
   Answer: c) Time-consuming
3. The old economy is __________ based.
   a) technology
   b) labor
   c) software
   Answer: b) labor
4. A major feature of the old economy is its reliance on __________ systems.
   a) digital
   b) mechanical
   c) electrical
   Answer: b) mechanical
5. The old economy was constrained by __________ and time.
   a) distance
   b) speed
   c) money
   Answer: a) distance
6. __________ refers to the ability to access digital technology.
   a) Digital divide
   b) Connectivity
   c) Digital literacy
   Answer: b) Connectivity
7. One limitation of the old economy is that it required __________ labor.
   a) mechanical
   b) less
   c) more
   Answer: c) more
8. A letter in the old economy could take __________ to deliver.
   a) minutes
   b) hours
   c) days
   Answer: c) days
9. In the old economy, communication was __________.
   a) slow
   b) fast
   c) digital
   Answer: a) slow
10. A __________ economy depends heavily on technology.
    a) old
    b) new
    c) agricultural
    Answer: b) new
11. Labor-based systems rely mostly on __________.
    a) technology
    b) human effort
    c) software
    Answer: b) human effort
12. The old economy was mostly __________ based.
    a) knowledge
    b) manual
    c) digital
    Answer: b) manual
13. A limitation of the old economy is the lack of __________ technology.
    a) manual
    b) digital
    c) heavy
    Answer: b) digital
14. A digital divide can exist between __________ and rural areas.
    a) urban
    b) large
    c) empty
    Answer: a) urban
15. The old economy was often limited by __________.
    a) time zones
    b) hours of work
    c) technology
    Answer: b) hours of work

Class Activity Discussion

The Concept of Digital Divide

The digital divide refers to the gap between those who have access to the internet and those who do not. It can also refer to the gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not. The term is often used in discussions about social inequality. The digital divide can be a barrier to social mobility and economic opportunity.

It can also lead to a lack of understanding or awareness of important issues. The digital divide is a problem that needs to be addressed in order to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate in the digital world.

Digital divide can also refer to the gap between those people with effective access to digital and information technology and those without. It includes the imbalance in physical access to technology as well as imbalance in resources and skills needed to participate effectively as a digital citizen.

The Digital divide is probably one of the first concepts considered when reflecting on the theme of the social impact caused by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). From there on, one perceives that these technologies are going to produce differences in the development opportunities of people, and that a distance will be established between those with access to these technologies and those without.

The term ‘digital divide’ describes the fact that the world can be divided into people who do and people who don’t have access to, and the capability to use modern Information and Communication Technology, such as the telephone, television, or the internet.

The digital divide is often seen to exist along the following lines:

1. Between the rich and poor countries;
2. Between those in cities and those in rural areas;
3. Between males and females
4. Between the rich and the poor individuals;
5. Between physically challenged and those without any disability
6. Between literates and illiterates, etc.

It has been suggested that one of the relevant ways of measuring the gap in access to ICTs is to look at the differences between developed and developing countries in the level of penetration of different ICT services (telephone, mobile phone, internet) and of personal computers. Over the course of the past decade, the gap has narrowed markedly, with particularly rapid progress in the field of mobile phones and internet use.

EVALUATION:

1. What is the digital divide?

2. What are the causes of the digital divide?

3. How does the digital divide affect society?

4. How can we close the digital divide?

5. What are the implications of the digital divide? Define

6. Define Digital divide

7. Identify 5 areas that show the existence of digital divide.

EVALUATION

1. What are some practical ways to use search engines?

2. How can keyword research help you find the right keywords?

3. What are advanced search operators and how can they be used?

4. Why is it important to use keywords in the title of your content?

5. How can you avoid keyword stuffing?

Evaluation

1. What is the digital divide?
   It refers to the gap between people who have access to technology and those who do not.
2. What causes the digital divide?
   Factors like income, education, infrastructure, and location.
3. What are labor-based systems?
   Systems that rely mainly on human effort.
4. How is the old economy limited by time?
   Tasks could only be done within specific working hours.
5. Why are time-consuming processes a feature of the old economy?
   Because they relied heavily on manual labor and physical effort.
6. How did communication occur in the old economy?
   Through letters, telegrams, and in-person meetings.
7. What are mechanical operations?
   Systems that depend on mechanical tools rather than digital technologies.
8. Can the digital divide affect education?
   Yes, students without access to technology struggle to learn effectively.
9. What is the difference between the old and new economies?
   The old economy relies on labor, while the new economy uses technology.
10. What is a key limitation of the old economy?
    It is slow and inefficient.
11. Does the digital divide only exist between countries?
    No, it can exist within the same country or community.
12. How does digital technology improve the economy?
    It speeds up processes and reduces costs.
13. Can the digital divide be reduced?
    Yes, through better infrastructure, education, and policies.
14. What are the benefits of bridging the digital divide?
    Increased productivity and equal opportunities.
15. Why is reducing the digital divide important?
    It ensures everyone benefits from technological advancements.

10 Evaluation Questions:

1. Define the digital divide.
2. Name two factors that cause the digital divide.
3. What is a key feature of the old economy?
4. Explain why the old economy was time-consuming.
5. Mention two limitations of the old economy.
6. How did communication differ in the old economy?
7. What are mechanical operations?
8. Why is the digital divide a challenge in education?
9. How can the digital divide be reduced?
10. What is the difference between labor-based and digital systems?

Conclusion:

The digital divide shows the gap between those with access to technology and those without. Understanding the limitations of the old economy helps students appreciate the importance of technology in modern life.