The way the world functions has changed so much since the first public school classrooms opened their doors. We have access to every bit of information - usually in our back pockets. There isn't anything we can't access through our cell phones or computers. Seven of my former students were told by their employees that they could live wherever they wanted. It did not matter where their physical location was -- all their work is created in a digital world. We are all easily connected.
It sounds fantastic, doesn't it? It is, as long as you have access to technology. The new gap between those who have and those who do not -- centers on access to technology. My students do NOT have access to technology - except when they are at school. Many of them do not have internet at home, and although they might clutch a cell phone in their hands -- it is often simply that - a phone with not data or internet access. On the surface, this might seem like a small thing, but in reality, it is everything. These students cannot easily look something up when working on homework. They can complete any digital work unless they are on campus or at the public library. They can't access review or instructional videos to help them when they are struggling with new concepts. The distance between students who have a house filled with devices and access to information and support, and students who do not, is an endless chasm. The world is becoming smaller, closer and more interconnected, and yet at the same time, a generation of children are being squeezed out and pushed aside. It might be the information age, but only if you can reach that information. True education in the public school system must include education for ALL students -- and this involves the tremendous challenge of bridging this technology gap.
2 Comments
2/9/2017 01:51:20 pm
I've been in the classroom teaching basic computer skills to 9th graders. I've found breaking down the simple skills in my direction reinforced students that had strong computer skills and beginners had a chance to practice maybe for the first time. Teaching basic controls and set search requirements leveled the plan because everyone was using the same information found on the internet or papers made into Powerpoint. Just this last week I had my Ceramics students make a directed transference at 50% of real size. I had them look up the specs for their object online. Some students found it easy to understand and even used metric measurements. Other found it hard to find and not easy to understand. We worked together and figure out what the sizes were together. It was a good learning challenge that had students helping each other to strengthen everyone's ability to read specs from companies. It's not easy but it's worth it.
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Nancy J
2/9/2017 05:32:26 pm
It's really frustrating when you know your students don't have access to technology resources at home. We can't do much to change their home situations, so we try to make their classroom experience one in which all students have equal opportunities - in your case, to technology. I remember you saying you taught technology to all grade levels. I was wondering if you've been able to identify foundational skills and qualities that could be put in place to prepare students to succeed when they do get access to better technological resources. A quick example that springs to mind - could we improve our students' ability to navigate search engines by teaching them how to ask the right questions in order to locate the specific information they want to find?
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AuthorJen has been teaching school for awhile now. She's learned some stuff, but she's got tons more to learn. Archives
October 2017
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