Tech Equality: When Does it End?

The issue of equity for students who do not have access to technology is certainly a hot topic in education circles these days. Computer use is certainly something that most kids today utilize for entertainment and social communication purposes. Those students who lack access to this technology may be left behind in our increasingly tech-centric society. This stated, I am led to wonder when students will be put on a plan such as an IEP for lack of computer savvy and access. I am well aware of my cynicism regarding this topic. I am simply concerned about the ramifications for teachers who will be left the task of teaching students computer skills to complete their tasks rather than teaching the subject matter they are hired to teach.
I firmly believe in equal access for students to the tools that they need to perform and succeed in schoolwork. Technology is clearly one of these tools, and I would have to have access to the technology for students in the classroom. I would also require, in the interest of fairness, that schools provide classes taught by professional technology educators in schools. Unfortunately, there is little to no funding for such programs for schools in today's economic climate. Students deserve a level playing field with regard to tools and services, and I cannot see any equity in the use of technology for kids if they are not dealt a fair hand in their education as to the proper methods of usage of said technology. Just because a student knows how to make a facebook page, slide show, or use the internet does not mean he or she can effectively negotiate an educational task using technology.
I am on a slippery slope here. I realize that most kids nowadays understand technology in some degree. My own technological limitations definitely inform my opinion. I see technology as a fantastic tool for learning. I myself learn daily from materials I find on the Internet. I am concerned with equal access to machinery and training for students, however. I am also concerned about the growing popularity of the use of technology in classrooms in terms of the lack of educational infrastructure to make it fair and useful to teachers and students alike.

Cell phones in the classroom

I will not include the use of cell phones as a tool for students in my classroom. I understand the potential of technology to enhance the education of students. Computers and the internet are the modern tools for information gathering and distribution, and cell phones have many of the capabilities for information gathering and storage that computers do. As Kolb describes in her article, "students
can interview each other, they can
create radio broadcasts or their own
“books on tape” with sound effects,
recite poetry, explain how they rationalize
a difficult
mathematical problem,
brainstorm ideas, work on
verbal language presentation
and communication skills, complete
class reflections, or journal scientific
research."
This application of technology makes sense, to be sure, but my perspective is that students should know how to accomplish these things without technology.
I firmly believe that students need to know how to write, analyze, remember and communicate without the use of technology. They should be given the tools to accomplish tasks using their own minds and imaginations without the help of devices beyond writing implements, books, mathematical implements such as protractors and rulers and concrete experimental supplies (science lab, for example). Students' understanding of material through actual experience will benefit them for their lifetime. It may seem archaic, but if students do not learn how to write on paper and analyze events based on hard data they research on their own they will be at a serious disadvantage because of their reliance on devices. As Allen states: "Nothing that you can do on
a cell phone will inspire students as
they make their way into the world.
I cannot think of a job where “cell
phone operation” was a skill. Employers
are much more concerned about
a student’s computing and critical
thinking skills than their phone skills."
This cuts to the heart of the issue. We need to instill some natural ability in our students. When asked a question a person should simply know to complete a task, it would be disgraceful as educators to produce an intellect that responds "Let me check my phone".
I may come across as a "tech Grinch". Actually, I am not. I believe there are numerous ways that technology of all kinds are beneficial to education. I am willing, however, to be the educator that teaches the "old school" method of learning, as I believe that students need a wide pantheon of skills to achieve to their highest potential. I trust that there are many teachers out there doing a marvelous job of educating using technology, and I feel that this is valuable for kids. I want my students to know how to use the greatest tool that they possess, however; their minds and bodies on their own. They will not have to buy a plan for service, and they will still function if their is no cell service or the power goes out.