Thoughts on providing equal digital access

The New Hampshire Department of Education standards & rules require that: Teachers will demonstrate: (e) In the area of technology :…( 3) Knowledge of how to provide equal access to the digital world.

Educators have a responsibility to use all tools available to assist students with various learning styles. The use of technology in education is critical. In order to survive in the real world students need to be digitally literate. In today’s technological society, there is no excuse for school systems to lack computers or internet connections in classrooms and labs. These tools are as vital as all other text books and supplies.

James Bosco Author of “Participatory Culture and Schools: Can we get there from here?” asks the question:

Isn’t it reasonable to expect that schools

should be compatible with the world

of information, knowledge,

communications, and collaboration?

http://www.ciconline.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=125&name=THSpring09ParticipatoryCultureandSchools.pdf (Spring 2009). This article discusses the integration of Web 2.0 in the classroom environment. This is a bit different from the question of equal access. However, this supports my viewpoint that there is no excuse to not have the technology in classrooms and schools. How we use that technology is a greater question which our whole class is about.

So how can educators be sure that everyone is given equal access to technology? This question seems to fit nicely with Professor Terri Demaine’s discussion of “equity vs. equality” (from Monday July 13, 2009). Teachers need to implement equitable solutions. School districts will not be able to solve socioeconomic factors that prohibit all students’ home access to technology. This means teachers need to be certain to make technology available to students that lack technology at home. First, teachers need to be aware of students’ digital access. An informal survey should take place at the beginning of the year. Once digital access needs are identified, teachers can work with the students to provide extra time. Time can be allotted during classroom hours, before school and after school depending on the individual situation.

In some instances a student’s special needs will require the use of a laptop or other media in the classroom. This tool can be a critical piece of a student’s development. A student who has difficulty handwriting can use a program like dragonspeak to “write” their thoughts. Is this providing equal access? Maybe not, but it is creating an equitable learning environment. We may never be able to make all things “equal” but we can create equitable environments or situations.

youtube link top ten tips for using technology in the classroom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiisteObuhk&feature=related

What is Technology Integration?

Today?s world is rapidly changing in every way. We are an instant society, we are in constant communication and we have world wide information at our fingertips. Today?s youth are practically born with technology. Because technology is such an integral part of society, over the years we have been moving technology into our classrooms. Now I realize just because there are computers in the rooms and building does not mean we are integrating technology into our education the way we have in our lives.
Integrating technology into our classroom curriculum is more challenging than it seems. Technology integration first of all requires teachers to be current. Educating the teachers on the variety of means available is going to be the only way integration can occur.
Teachers need to learn ways to incorporate using different programs into the everyday lessons. The interactive white board is one means of using technology as part of the lesson. I am learning there are numerous programs available to educators to engage students and speak their language. The students understand and connect with technology. It is something they use regularly (in a majority of cases).

Why is it important for a teacher to evaluate a website?

There are many facets to this question and really the answer applies to just about all research on the internet. As we all know anyone can create a website. So if we are using a website for research or information we need to know who our source is. In many instances there is a financial reason for the research information presented on websites. So make sure you have a valid source.
Once you know you have a valid source, what are they saying? Is the content appropriate for you audience? Is the language appropriate for the age? Is the information presented in a visually pleasing manner? We certainly don?t want to send students to a website full of advertisements or that will not be appealing and useful in their learning process.
So now you know you have a valid source and the information is presented appropriately. So is the information current? We need to make sure we aren?t teaching students something that isn?t the most current information available.
These are just some of the facets of this question. The reasons to evaluate websites are extensive. Using the internet is a powerful tool, but needs to be used with caution.