assessing distance learning

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	distance education distance learning online degree

 report is based on the findings of a tracking survey of Internet activities. 
Half the adults in America do not have Internet access and 57 percent of those 
non-users are not interested in getting online.  The gray gapaging Baby 
Boomers and senior citizens are the most resistant to the Internet; and the young 
are the most likely to go online eventually.  Significant numbers of non-users cite 
issues besides the cost of computers and Internet access as problems when they 
think about the online world.  There is gender parity in the Internet population, 
however, women still lag behind men in their relative participation in the online 
world.  Whites are notably more likely to have Internet access than blacks or 
Hispanics.  Also, there is notably less Internet penetration in rural areas than in 
other types of communities.  A major factor in rural areas is that a relatively
large number of residents dont use computers.  Finally, more than a tenth of 
those without Internet access once were online.  Younger Americans are the 
most likely to have dropped or lost Internet access.


Little, Jason (2000, December).  A Literature Review of the Digital Divide:
Characteristics of People Least Likely to be Online.  A course paper presented in partial 
fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education, Nova 
Southeastern University.

This literature review focuses on a digital divide that appears to have emerged 
during the last decade.  The literature suggests that while worldwide online usage




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is rapidly growing, many people are left behind.  Income, education, and 
geographic location seem to be the most apparent factors affecting online 
connectivity.  Race, age, and disability factors seem to be closely linked to 
income, education, and location.  In short, the less income and education one has 
the less likely he or she will use the Internet, regardless of race and age.  This is 
also the case with geographic location.  People who live in poorer countries with 
less education are more likely to be offline.


May, Susan (1994, Spring). Womens Experiences as Distance Learners:  Access and


	

	
		
			
				
					
						




						
							
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