The task this blog post is to give examples of Digital Divides, Adaptive Technologies and Green Computing and talk about each. So here I go:
Digital Divides: According to our tech book, a digital divide is the gap between those who have access to information and communications technology and those who do not.
Examples of things that could lessen the digital divide:
- One thing that is helping and that could help more is free internet in libraries and school. I think it would be cool to put free internet and computers in bookstores as well such as Barnes and Nobles and Books a Million. This is great because people who cannot afford internet are able to go online and do what they need to do. If a kid in college or high school needs to write a paper or research something but they come from a family that cannot afford internet they do not have a reason to fail because they have it right there for them at school. This is something that is really popular in America but I think it should be widespread.
- One thing that goes on in America is 'Free Phones'. The government gives free phones to people who can't afford them but you have to be on government assistance or like dirt poor to get one. You can't be middle class or anything. They talk about equal opportunity but it isn't really equal opportunity. it's for certain people. I was always taught that a phone is a privilege and I have to do good in school and do good in life to keep my cellphone so to see that people are getting free phones is kind of like, why?
Adaptive Technologies: According to the book, assistive technologies are hardware and software specifically designed for individuals with physical disabilities.
Examples of Assistive Technologies:
- One assistive technology is accessibility setting on phones. Assistive Technology is Technology for people with disabilities. Maybe someone cannot use their hands so they can talk to their device. On i Phones there are a lot of assistive things for people who can't see really good or people who have trouble with touchscreens there is even a setting that allow the phone to talk back to you and tell you what you are pressing. There are really good things out there so that disabled people will not be left behind. Everyone has an equal opportunity.
- Another assistive technology is assistive input devices like braille keyboards for blind people or one handed keyboards for people that have trouble. Another device is foot controlled mice, which is brilliant, or head pointing systems where you can use your head to point at things on the screen as well as eye tracking systems. The computer sees where your eyes are moving and moves the screen accordingly.
- One green computing example is energy efficient computers. They have hardware that was recycled and they run quieter and smoother. They also are better because there are less toxic chemicals.
- Another is solar towers. CCBC actually has few on campus. Solar panels take energy from the sun and convert it so it can be used for lights or whatever else. And apparently you can get a solar power charger or hand powered charger or solar powered backpack.
