Hi all
I have just finished my thesis research which I have started a few years ago. I'm sorry I can't post my whole thesis paper since it's in Hebrew so I'll just post the abstract. If any one have something to ask or want to offer me a job or something to do :) he or she are welcome to write to my personal email or even call and talk with me I'll be happy to help My Email is [EMAIL PROTECTED] Digital Inequalities in Computer Access and Skills, and the Evaluation of a Computer Orientation Class as a Tool for Narrowing the Digital Gaps The Case of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology in Haifa University Ohad Talmor Abstract The purpose of this study is to find out whether there are Digital Inequalities among groups of students which are based on demographics and socioeconomics variants, It will also examine whether a computer orientation class can narrow down the existing digital gaps, and whether there is a connection between computer access and computer skills. The findings of this research show that there are significant digital gaps between various groups, mainly in computer ownership and/or computer skills and knowledge. The gaps exist between Jewish Israeli students and immigrant students, between Jewish Israeli students and Arab Israeli students. I have found that Jewish Israeli students have an advantage over minorities groups. I have found that socioeconomic properties have an effect on the digital Inequalities. Properties like place of living, mother's schooling, and prior enrolment into a preacademic program affect the gaps. Student who have a better socioeconomic status have an advantage. In the class evaluation phase I have found that computer orientation class improves the students` computer skills. The class also encourages the students to become computer owners and thus contributes to narrowing the gaps, Yet this is only up to a certain point because the computer orientation course can not close the digital gaps completely. Socioeconomic factors still affect computer ownership, and there are students who simply can not afford a computer. In the case of the connection between computer access and computer skills I have found that such connection does exist and owning a computer does contribute to one`s computer skills. Moreover I have also found that students who have studied in the computer orientation class and acquired computer skills have purchased a computer. Thus, the connection is "two-way". The one way is that computer ownership contributes to one's computer skills, and the second is in the opposite direction computer skills contribute to computer ownership. People who have computer skills make an effort to become computer owners. In the discussion section I have discussed the meaning of the finding and have given a few ideas for narrowing down or even closing the gaps. I have also suggested to keep this research on going in order to learn more a about Digital Inequalities over time.
