Reflections on inequities in computer education: Do the rich get richer?

Abstract

Although many educators agree that the experience of using computers should be provided to all students as part of the school program, various groups of individuals do not have equal opportunities to gain this experience. This inequity in opportunity, and the consequences which may result from it, are the focus of this report. Some of the inequities discussed are based on gender, others on socio-economic level, and others on country of residence. Inequities based on specific school policies are also described. Concerns about these inequities are formulated and recommendations for reducing the scale of the problem are made.