Digital Equity in the Classroom

1. Digital Equity in the Classroom Sally Bryan EDMT 330 Winter 2007

2. The Digital Divide Children with a low SES, ethnic or racial minorities, and girls… • Have less access to computers and technology • Have a lower quality technology experiences • Are often subject to stereotypes by their teachers (consciously or unconsciously)

3. Access to Technology • Access to technology can be defined in different ways: • Ratio of students-to-computers • Time spent on computers http://web.ai/club/camp00/grad02.jpg

4. Access to Technology • Students from diverse ethnic backgrounds and low socio-economic status often have restricted access to computers at school and many do not have a computer in their home. http://www.capegateway.gov.za/image/2005/9/cei_education.jpg

5. Access to Technology • The U.S. Department of Education recommends the student-to-computer ratio in a school be 5-to-1. • Low SES schools have a higher ratio of students-to-computers than students in High SES schools.

6. Computer and Technology Experiences in the Classroom. • Students in Low SES schools often have their technology experiences limited to “drills and skills” which can have a negative impact on student achievement. http://images.inmagine.com/168nwm/photodisc/pdv150/pdv150037.jpg

7. Computer and Technology Experiences in the Classroom • Students in High SES schools have technology experiences that promote critical thinking and have a positive impact on student achievement. http://www.sfhsnet.org/left/tour/Computer%20Lab.jpg

8. Stereotypes • Many teachers hold stereotypes that girls and students of diverse ethnic backgrounds and low SES students are not interested in, do not have a need for education in technology or cannot learn how to use technology. • These students tend to receive instruction in which the computer maintains control of the learning opportunities instead of allowing the user to maintain control of their learning.

9. How We Can Narrow the Digital Equity Gap • Acknowledge equity issues when planning for technology acquisition. • Equal access to computers and technology should be given to all students and teachers. • Provide technology access at times outside the normal school day. • Provide parents and other members of the community access to technology.

10. How We Can Narrow the Digital Equity Gap • Explain the role technology plays in the overall education program. • Technological literacy plays a role in student learning and preparing for a higher education and the workplace. Explaining the role of literacy to parents and community members will help gain their support in the implementation and expansion of technology requirements.

11. How We Can Narrow the Digital Equity Gap • Use technology as a way to structure critical thinking lessons for all students. • Students who use technology for projects that require higher level skills are empowered as learners and as thinkers. • Relate technology lessons to the real world to give students an understanding of the purpose of the assignments.

12. For more information about what you can do in your classroom… • The Education Reform Network offers a toolkit that points educators to free or inexpensive resources that address the digital divide in the classroom. Click on the information button below to access the toolkit.

13. Works Cited • Brown, Monica R., Higgins, Kyle & Hartley, Kendall. Teachers and Technology Equity. Teaching Exceptional Children 33(4) (2001): 32 – 9. • Rockman, Saul. The Leader’s Guide to Education Technology. EDvancenet. The Consortium for School Networking. 24 Mar. 2007 <http://www.edvancenet.org/res_guide_pdf.shtml>. • Solomon, Gwen. Digital Equity: It’s Not Just about Access Anymore. Technology & Learning 15 Apr. 2002. <http://www.techlearning.com/db_area/archives/TL/2002/04/equity1.php>. • The Five Dimensions of Digital Equity. Education Reform Network. 2003. National Institute for Community Innovations. 20 Mar. 2007.