My main concern about using technology in the classroom has always been access. However, after doing the reading, I realized there are a lot of options for students who do not have computer access. These include the public library (and probably the school library as well), community technology centers, or Boys and Girls Club. I suppose, though, that if I was going to teach technology and require students to have some kind of access at home, I’d need to check out all public options to make sure they were accessible and had the kind of technology I was requiring my students to learn. If outside access was truly a problem I couldn’t feel justified in requiring students to do outside work where computers were needed.
Another cool resource from the reading is the Digital Equity Portal. Apparently it lists a whole bunch of resources for schools to obtain computers cheaply. Sweet. And software too! I still stand on my no cell phone platform, though. I just don’t see how that could ever be fair since not all students have one (Rhiannon, feel free to comment here).
I do think that I will be doing my students a disservice if I don’t teach them basic technology skills (and as of right now, I don’t think that includes cell phones). Almost every job and every university requires the use of technology. In order to keep up with their peers all students should know basic computing skills, at the very least. Today it is almost more critical that students can use computers and technology than that they know higher math. It is extremely difficult to become successful without knowing the basics about technology.
If there is truly not universal access outside of the school I could require assignments be completed at school. Or, I could allow more access time to students without home access. At any rate, at every school I’ve been to, there is at least one computer in the classroom. I could allow the kids to rotate through that computer to complete class assignments or I could open up the classroom for kids to sign up to use it before or after school. And if the school itself has, say, only one computer lab, I’d make it essential for every student to rotate through the lab at least once (preferably a lot more) every school year.
I agree with in one aspect. Let access be attained through libraries and boys and girls clubs. i think thats a great way for students to use technology if they don't have it at home. Where I disagree with you is when you say that you would make sure that every student has access before handing out an assingment. I think we have to go ahead even if students don't have access. This won't hinder their grade at all, but if gives a chance to other students to learn technology who have access. I'm a little cold about it, but I think we have to make sure students recieve a full education before entering college and the work force. This can only be done if we don't cater to every student. Nice post and great job!
ReplyDeleteI also struggle with the "What if there really AREN'T many places that offer free computer access?" issue. I would never want to eliminate a technology-based assignment on the grounds that a couple of students don't have computers at home, but especially in the case of an unmotivated student in this scenario, if there really isn't a good place close to the student's home, it's like I'm setting up the unmotivated kid for failure just by the assignment requirements alone. I'm sure when we get into teaching we'll find that there are more ways around it than we'd thought.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with your comment that this need to teach technology probably doesn't apply to cell phones. I doubt that we're going to kill anyone's career by not training students to use fancy cell phones, since basically anything you can do on a fancy cell phone can be done on a computer or some other small device that doesn't cost as much. I feel like the cell phones in class thing is more of an excuse to let students use something they LOVE (their cell phone) for an educational purpose, thereby making them more interested in class.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts! :)