In the modern workforce where the majority of jobs are in the services sector the ability to manipulate a computer and their comfort level with technology as a whole are often the difference between a career and a string of low paying jobs. As one of the worlds premier economic powers the United States must improve the level of training that new entrants into the workforce possess, as well as develop programs to successfully train established workers to embrace technology. Should we fail to proactively pursue a national goal of technology literacy, our very status in the world economy may be the price we pay.
Closing The Digital Divide
The gap that lies between those who have access to computers and technology and those who do not is called the digital divide. This invisible line separates the people in our world who are able to obtain training in the basic use of computers and technology, and others who for a variety of reasons do not have access to technology. The digital divide affects culture, industry, and economics and is a critical factor in the collective status and influence of nation's world wide.
The United States has long been the leader in bringing new technologies to the masses. Beginning with the telegraph, then the telephone, and continuing with the useful development of the internet. Technology has made many of our most incredible successes possible. There is little doubt that without the use of technology we would not have completed the transcontinental railroad, achieved victory in World War II, or seen our astronauts walk upon the surface of the moon. As a nation of opportunity we have long recognized that new technologies could be instrumental in the achievement of our goals.
While our success with the adoption and use of technology as a nation has been successful in the past, we are now facing a new age, the information age. In today's world information is the commodity of power. In order for our great nation to retain its position at the top of the world's economy we must train our youth to embrace technology and computers. Additionally we have to re-invest into our existing workforce and train our experienced workers to use technology to recognize and overcome the hurdles they face daily.
Other nations are rapidly using wireless technologies to close the digital divide by providing access to technology to a larger segment of their population. Advances in wireless technology, as well as the use of satellite technology have reduced the need for costly infrastructure in order to provide technology access. Nation's such as the United States must recognize the competition that this phenomenon will bring to the world market within the next few years and take steps to ensure that their workforce remains among those with the most technology access and education in order to retain their position as a leading economic power.
Preparing The Next Generation
The next generation will face a world that few of us today are familiar with. They will be forced to deal with increasing population, the global impact of industry, and an economy that is too closely linked to be buoyed up by any one nation. The ability to use the available technology to address the concerns of the day will play a large role in determining each persons place within their community, and each nation's place within the world.
To prepare our children we must acclimate them to technology at a young age. Our schools have started to use computers and other technology in the classroom; however the use is generally for pull out work, remedial assignments, or reward for excellent work. We must shift this focus from making the use of computers be the exception, to having it be the standard. Our children must learn to work with computers and technology during their daily work to solve problems and create output to receive satisfactory grades. By making the computers in each classroom the tools of achievement, instead of being a device identified with games or remedial work, we will prepare them to use technology in the workplace to solve problems.
We must also invest in the academic basics of computing and technology development. These are found in the disciplines of mathematics and science. The United States is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, yet our students consistently fall short of children in other nations in the critical areas of mathematical computation, and science. As we become more dependent upon technology we must recognize that the language that is spoken within a computer during data processing is purely mathematical. Without learned individuals who are able to continue to work with, and improve upon these mathematical algorithms we will fail to harness the potential of technology. The use of valid scientific method and research practices goes hand in hand with mathematical calculation. Only by preparing ourselves with a competent workforce, schooled in computation and scientific principle we a nation be able to lead in the world economy of the future.
