reflections on the Digital Disconnect

I have reviewed the findings of the Pew report in previous graduate courses and in my current position. This is a piece which I haven't looked at closely, before. I love that this report provides quotes from student participants. The report doesn't describe what students think the students, literally, speak for themselves. It would be difficult to review in one or two paragraphs the entire article but, a couple items really struck me as thought provoking.
The first item is the students attitude toward what the internet is and what experienced educators' perception of the internet is. Educators seem to think of the internet as a repository for information like a library. Young learners see the internet as a dynamic tool to research knowledge, socialize with peers, collaborate with classmates, communicate with teachers, expand on ideas that interest them.. The internet is much more of a medium than a place.
The second thing that sparked my interest was that students seem to know a lot more about how to maximize their use of the internet for educational purposes than their teachers and administrators do. Many Educators are still thinking of computers and technology as a subject to be mastered, but students make it clear in this article that they want to use technology in every area of their education and in their daily lives.
The biggest issue is ensuring that all students have equitable access to technology. As with almost all innovations in education, some students have disadvantages that prevent them from accessing the quality of education that their peers enjoy. Socio/economically disadvantaged students may not have access to technology, such as high speed internet in their homes. Schools in those students' communities may mirror those disadvantages and may not be adequate providers of currrent and reliable technological equipment and services.