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Students Train For New Media Careers California community colleges report a significant increase in the number of courses dealing with “new media,” namely courses in Web site design and Web animation. Educators say the courses are essential to matching the needs of the new economy, and participating students agree that the courses are a key step toward finding jobs, often quite lucrative ones. However, some educators question this emphasis on new media, especially considering the current shakeout occurring in the dotcom sector. In fact, some graduates of the courses contend that the new curriculum is already out-of-date. “To be quite honest, it's about over, as far as a hot trend goes,” says Michael Eggert, who graduated from Santa Monica College's Academy of Entertainment Technology and became director of Web production for Wirebreak Entertainment. Officials at the colleges offering the courses acknowledge that few students actually complete the entire curriculum. Many are only filling out their tech education with desired skills, and others turn in-school internships into full-time jobs. (Los Angeles Times, 31 January 2001) Internet Use In The U.S. According to the “Contemporary Issues in Employment and Workplace Policy” report by the Employment Policy Foundation, 51 percent (54.5 million) of US households have at least one computer and 43.5 million have Internet access. By November 2002, 68.2 million US households are predicted to have computers and 66.9 million will be able to use the Internet. The report showed that the digital divide still exists, as 80.7 percent of upper income households had computers compared to 41.2 percent of lower income households in August 2000. The survey also found that while free Internet access was available to 16.4 percent of respondents, most people paid an average of $21.28 per month. For those with broadband capability, 51.7 percent had cable modems, 32.5 percent had DSL, 10.8 percent had ISDN connections, and 5.1 percent had wireless or satellite. Nearly 60 percent of broadband Internet subscribers paid $20 per month for web access. The Employment Policy Foundation also notes the five highest and five lowest states according to the number of households with computers. Highest were: Alaska - 67 percent, Utah - 66.8 percent, New Hampshire - 64.3 percent, Colorado - 63.2 percent, and Oregon - 61.2 percent. The five lowest were: West Virginia - 43 percent, Oklahoma - 42.1 percent, Louisiana - 42 percent, Mississippi - 38.7 percent, and Arkansas - 38.5 percent. For information on the report, go to: Copyright © 2001 Association for Interactive Media. |
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