| As use of the Internet grows among all segments of American society, the potential exists for some citizens to benefit more than others from the technological advances provided through digital access to information. This scenario, which has been called the "digital divide," warns of a two-tiered society, in which information "haves" and "have-nots" are further distinguished by their economic and educational achievement (Foster, 2001; McConnaughey, Nila & Sloan, 1995; McConnaughey & Lader, 1998; Owen, 1998; Tapscott, 1998). These "haves" and "have-nots" can be partially identified through several demographic and socioeconomic factors. There are several key characteristics that differentiate computer ownership and use in the United States. Age, race or ethnicity, gender and income all have an influence on computer ownership and usage, and access to the Internet. As colleges and universities continually rely upon the Internet as a communication and instructional medium, issues of equal access for all students and prospective students must be considered. This study explored this issue by determining the mean age, gender, race or ethnicity and economic need of those students using the Internet to apply for admission to Purdue University North Central. It then compared those variables to the demographic and economic characteristics of those students who used traditional, pen-and-paper applications for admissions. This study shows that a statistically significant difference exists between the race or ethnicity and the economic status of those students using the Internet to apply for admission and those that used traditional methods to apply. Less significant were differences in age and gender between those who applied using the Internet and those using traditional methods to apply for admission. |
