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.