Apply and Discover 9.1

What does it mean to "provide equal access to the digital world"?

    Are you the one thing getting in the way of equal assess to digital technology for your students?
     I imagine one day a classroom in which teachers pass out not only the school's agenda book, but also individual hand held digital notebooks for all students.  It's difficult to fathom, but we will see it happen in our lifetime.  Until then, providing equal access to the digital world today is quite a challenge though.

     There is a disparity in this nation when it comes to high minority populations, rural areas, special needs, and with females (Shrum & Levin, 2010).  It is reported that 20% of students in the U.S. already have their own blog and 73% students own a cell phone in the high school (2010).  So, how do we provide access to all our students whether they are hispanic, female, live in the mountains, or are on the autism spectrum? 

     Change.  Change is certain.  Whether we teachers like it or not, our classrooms are changing.  We need to be instruments of change and not hang on to "well, when I went to school. . ."  The only thing we have is the present.  We have to cling to what is essential and what we know for sure: everyone is capable of learning through technology.  It's just a matter of time that every home in america will  house a learning tablet, that will eventually replace the beloved color TV.   

     Equal access also means changing the way we perceive technology as a learning tool.  Do we allow all access?  Or just those that have finished their work for the day?  Teachers need to view technology as a learning vehicle, not just as a reward to finishing one's work.  Or what about good behaving students?  Yes, they can go on the computer today!

     Are you the one thing getting in the way of equal assess to digital technology for your students?

Resources: 

Schrum, L., & Levin, B. (2010).  Leading 21^st Century Schools:  Harnessing Technology for

     Engagement and Achievement.  Thousand Oaks, CA:  Corwin.

picture retrieved from www.alltouchtablet.com