Wednesday, December 8, 2010

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.

1 comment:

  1. It is for sure a hot topic, and something that we deal with daily! I like your thought on how we could perhaps spend more time on teaching the technology instead of our subject matter, an interesting dilemma!

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