How can you provide equal access to the digital world to all learners? You can't. Plain and simple. What you as an educator can control is the provision of equal access within the classroom environment, and can attempt to ensure that those who do not have equal access to the digital world at home are not at too much of a disadvantage for it. They are still going to be at a disadvantage- make no mistake about that- but by catering to your less digitally endowed students needs you can attempt to make this disadvantage as minimal as possible.
Within the classroom setting it's easy, it's totally in your control. You are the task master and it is your obligation to ensure that each learner has equal access to the digital mediums that you provide. Whether you are using computers, iPads, smart boards, or nooks, it is your duty to provide students with equal access to the technology utilized. Outside of the classroom, not so much. Students without a computer, Internet access, or Microsoft Word are at a severe disadvantage for technologically derived assignments. This doesn't just range from research projects, discussion forums, or online assignment submission, but even the simple task of writing a book report or essay. Spell check is something our digital students take for granted, but those without these luxuries will score lower without the auto correct option on written work. So what do we do? Sure we can send these students to the library, or let them stay with us after school, but let's not kid ourselves, this is putting these students at a disadvantage over those who have access to these digital benefits in the comfort of their own homes at the literal click of a button. These students are the majority in America, and there is little we can do to change the disadvantage this puts on the minority of students with little to no digital access.
Even on assignments that don't require digital access, you'd be hard pressed to find one that can't in some way benefit from technological means. Even artwork can be augmented by the use of google images for endless examples & etc. So what do we do? What can we do? Ultimately nothing. Or at least precious little to tip the scales in reverse. But then, that's the nature of the beast when it comes to social adversity and perhaps that's the best education one can give on the social state of the real world. There will always be those who are at less of an advantage than others in some regard. It's not fair, but it's reality.
I totally agree with your thoughts as that is the reality in a public schools where the student poulation is diverse economically as well as ability wise. Like you said in your post, the equality aspect can mainly happen in class, therefore, as future teacher I must provide proper instruction on using the digital devices and make them available for students in school on major assignments and projects. This can be accomplished by giving them majority work time at school for equal access to technology to enhance their learning. I believe in project/problem-based teaching and learning more than direct instruction and plan on utilizing this method as much as possible. It will require lot of planning, but feel that it will be worth it. These are my feelings now, but I may feel differently once I am standing in front of 30 students and have less than six hours a day to accomplish all that I need to do.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly. Thanks for the comment you made on my blog. I really enjoyed reading your post because in all honesty you are right. We may not like it, but we are not all equal and we as educators can not control what goes on in students home. We can not control the resources that they are afforded to at home and you are right when you say that students without technology resources at home are at a disadvantage. I like the idea that you mentioned on my blog for national wifi and lab tops. I live in Windham and a new high school was just built here. As part of being a student there they all recieve lab tops to have at home and in school for the 4 years they attend school there. (I dont know all the details but I believe they are free). Now Windham is a very affluent community (I didn't grow up here though and I'm not rich so don't get the worng idea...lol...I seem to have the need to tell people that) therefore it doesnt surprise me that the town could afford to do this. The question is where are the opportunities for lower income societies to have this advantage.....unfortunately I dont think there is and there may never be.
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