Is there a digital divide? How does it manifest itself and what implications does it have for us as educators? What are some solutions that have already happened or might be found in the future? Remember to post a copy of your post on your personal blog
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A common question among educators today is whether or not there is a digital divide. After reading the three articles assigned for class, it is clear that there is a digital divide among low and high-economic schools, to differences in gender. Below I discuss each of the articles and their opinions (and my own) about digital divide and where we are at today. While each article discussed solutions available to schools, I personally feel that there has to be a happy medium between technology and education. While technological advancements should not replace a teacher, as educators we should use technology to enhance our students’ academic careers.
In the Striving for Digital Equity article, discusses how technology is being used in the classroom and how to enhance learning. The article goes on to discuss how CTC provides an essential part of working for digital equity, especially in urban areas. However, budget cuts due to the government saying that accessing technology is no longer an issue, and saying that the digital divide has been closes, has really put these important programs at risk. For many schools they have shut down or scaled back on these necessary programs. We live in a highly tech-savvy environment, and it is important for students to use technology to help advance their education. It is also essential for students to produce work that reflects their individual style. Students need to be creative in their work. In order to obtain digital equity it is important for student’s exposure to technology to enhance their work and not overwhelm them.
In the article by Alec MacGillis, he discusses how from the pressure of No Child Left Behind, struggling schools are relying on computer software to teach their students in programs that are known as ‘drill and kill’. From the description of the software programs it is clear that these programs are being drilled in students, not in a positive way. Districts with low scores are being told that these computer-based programs can increase the test scores if the children use the software X amount per week. While these programs might raise scores to a degree, they are likely to produce last results and even more upsettingly they ‘replace’ an actual teacher. In my personal opinion, students should be learning through constructive lessons and interactions between teachers and other students. The article discusses how we are now in a ‘digital divide, where low-income districts are using test-preparation software, high-income districts are using computer programs to promote longer-lasting learning. While many feel that their will always be a divide between low and high-income districts, it is important for all students to get a free and appropriate public education. In my own option I personally feel that teachers remain the driving force behind student achievement.
The final article I would like to discuss is the one titled Closing the Gender Gap. As a future educator, it is important to encourage all my students, female and male, to use technology to their advantage. We can accomplish so much today with the use of technology and it is important to close the gender gap. Boys are not necessarily better at technology then girls. Everyone can use technology to the way that best suits them. For me – I use technology to express myself creatively. In my old job, I had a blog on my event planning experiences. It was a fun creative way for those who I care about and am friends with to follow my life experiences of traveling around the world for a pharmaceutical company. I was only able to do this because I had a deep understanding of technology and how I could use it to my advantage.
After reading the articles provided to us, it is pretty clear that there is a digital divide in certain areas, namely in gender differences and in areas that are socio-economically different. One article discusses the notion that female students tend to avoid classes or programs that focus on the narrower aspects of computer science. This may be because this area lacks creativity and is very straight-forward. Another article addresses the fact that school districts in low-income areas can be so desperate to raise their under-achieving students' test scores that they purchase programs that drill information into students' heads, yet lack any opportunity for real comprehension. School districts in higher-income areas may not have this kind of an issue, and therefore their students are able to use programs that allow for a deeper understanding of the information because less pressure is on them to improve test scores.
As educators, the notion of a digital divide implies that we need to correct it in the best ways possible. For some teachers, this may mean adding some creative or personalized components when studying computer science or similar subjects, in order to encourage more female students to gain interest. Unfortunately, for teachers in low-income areas, there may not be as much opportunity to improve this divide because of mediating factors. Because of No Child Left Behind, teachers and administrators are under immense pressure to raise test scores and improve rates of proficiency. Unfortunately, this means that many students will be drilled with information in order to regurgitate it on future assessments. This does not leave much time for new methods to be introduced. However, teachers must do the best they can to ensure that students are able to comprehend what they are learning. This can be done by asking students to apply the information they have learned to new situations. Without the ability to manipulate a piece of information and apply it to a new situation, students will not have gained the deeper understanding necessary for full comprehension.
Closing the Gender Gap and Digital Divide
I didn’t realize there was a gender gap in the learning and understanding of subjects such as Math, Computer Science and Technology. I thought this was a thing of the past, where boys excelled in Math and other analytical subjects, while girls did better in areas such as reading and writing. I have three children, a boy and two girls and I have always noticed how quickly they all embrace technology, from computer games to using sophisticated cell phones. They all seem to do pretty well interacting with programs and managing the home computer. My son does all his homework via lap top, even note taking, and my daughter prefers to write papers on Microsoft Word. The one thing I have noticed is that my eleven year old son is very methodical, and although a creative writer, his work is very clean and organized. My daughter is much more creative in her presentation; she is very concerned about the font, letter size, images and overall look of the project.
The part that concerned me the most about this article is the portion relating to a traditional approach to learning math vs. and open-ended approach. Apparently, girls excelled in the second scenario as it took into account their learning needs and creative style. If there is a problem with the way girls are learning and processing math skills, and by extension, succeeding in fields such as technology, we need to take a closer look at school curriculums and make sure that these are addressing the gender differences this article describes. My daughter’s parent teacher conference is tomorrow afternoon and I will bring this article to discuss what her school is doing to address this issue.
With regard to Digital Equity, access is obviously very important and Community Technology Centers appear to be providing computer hardware to underserved areas. However, this population is not taking full advantage of the internet experience as barriers in literacy and language play a role. Content programs are important for students to understand their communities; they lead to the creation of intellectual and educational work that promotes pride in their identity. Creating Community Technology Centers that promote creative media for students to use, explore, research and learn has yielded videos that promote community involvement and civic engagement. In order for local leaders to emerge, it is important to give young people the resources to connect with their communities, history and culture.
This article is sad but true. Interning in a high priority school, we do not ask the students to finsh work at home that they need a computer at home for. In school, we schedule a time in the computer lab for students to work on their work. If they don't finish, they will finish the next time the class goes to the computer lab. As the students get older, girls tend not to take computer or tech classes and in some high priority high schools tech classes are not offered. It is important for students to be educated in technology and for all students to have equal opportunity to learn.
After reading the articles for class, there is clearly a digital divide. It is interesting to look at technology from this light. There is clearly a digital divide throughout society today because there are people without internet and perhaps without a computer in 2011. We cannot simply assume that everyone has access to these types of technologies. As educators integrating technology into the classroom is a fabulous transition into the technology millennium we are in. However, we need to be cautious when asking parents to use this technology at home for instance when assigning homework. When asking students to use technology when in the classroom and possibly for homework, we need to build that possible time into our lessons where students have access to technology during school hours in case of a scenario where a student does not have access to technology outside of school. Some solutions to this divide, as used in the Colorado article, are allowing students to use cell phones in school because the data shows that those without internet access at home typically have access to internet via their cell phones. While I agree that this school is integrating technology to relate to the "real world" where cell phones are a valid tool to access internet, I do not agree with usage in school especially at the high school level. How can you control the access of internet sites and text message that may also be used during this time? I think it is more of a distraction than supportive in the classroom. While I agree with the Waldof schools using more hands-on approach and not using technology when it comes to learning, I do feel that there needs to be a balance between technology and hands-on learning. Essentially, students need both to learn. In the real world you are using both techniques in order to learn - hands-on and technology, so why not create a balance in the classroom to teach these real-world connections to students?
I found McGrath's article on the gender divide in technology to be very accurate, unfortunately. I must admit that I have been in a similar situation with regard to computer science and technology courses. I was one of three females in those classes and thinking back to my experience in those classes, I understand that the professor never tried to catch me up to speed on the course material, no matter how many office hours I attended. The two other girls and I fell behind where the males were performing and the male professor was not very helpful in trying to find different ways to teach us the material. The two females and I ending up withdrawing from the course and I believe that this stretched the gap between the genders wider. As a future educator, I do not want this same experience to occur to any students of mine. I will do what my professor did not do for me and work patiently with any of my students who are obviously struggling with the material.
Just as I imagined, MacGillis's article delves into the digital divide that concerns students of different socioeconomic standings. The article explains that Camden, one of the poorest cities in the nation, recently spent 8 million dollars on a brand-new Compass Lab to help students "drill and practice" their math and reading skills. On the other hand, affluent school districts are investing millions of dollars on high-quality teachers instead. The latter proves to be a more effective investment as MacGillis says computer programs will not deliver the same high-quality instruction that a "good" teacher can provide. However, the administration of Camden's school district argue that these programs are a permanent resource whereas a teacher can resign or move to a new district as they please. I agree with MacGillis because although these programs may raise testing scores a few points, students ultimately are not retaining information. And this will harm them in their following years in school. As a future educator, I can not imagine having my students rely on computer programs to learn Spanish. I can incorporate technology into my classroom by creating my own PowerPoint quizzes and presentations (just as the teacher in the article did) tailored to the needs of my students. Additionally, I believe supplemental computer programs will be most beneficial to my class but it will in no way replace me as a teacher.
Tillberg's article on overcoming technological barriers for underpriviledged students brings up a few good points. In order for students to use computers as an effective resource, it is essential that they learn how to manuever and use the different programs a computer offers. This will open the world of innovative technology that will enhance and allow for creative learning opportunities for students. Overall, I believe there is a digital divide whether it is between genders or socioeconomic standings. In order to diminish this divide, it is necessary to educate our students on the opportunities that technology may offer as well as conciously keep stuggling students up to speed with the class material. As a future educator, I will be responsible for keeping not only the digital divide but any divide from happening in my classroom as well as in my school district. This will require dedication and hard work, but I believe every student needs to be literate in the digital world or else our students will continually fall behind. It is our responsibility as future teachers to diminish this divide (as well as NCLB) so that our students can be functioning on equal playing fields in school.
Recently the last of the "occupy" movements were cleared out of L.A. but their message that inequality is a persistent force in America today lingers in the minds if not the hearts of many of their fellow citizens. It should not come as a shock to many that many sectors of American life are severed between the haves and have-nots. The recent shift in the "digital divide" is due to more affordable technology, making cell phones, laptops and game consuls more accessible to average Americans. However the type of access varies - creating an "entertainment vs. empowerment divide". The good news is that more than ever, Americans are digitally literate. To bridge the divide we simply need to translate to translate their skills to more vital skills for today's economy, be it resume submission and keyword searching. As K-12 teachers we can help students learn to navigate the internet which will hopefully trickle up to their parents. Another idea would be to provide adult digital literacy classes at community centers and libraries.
Digital Divide???
Is there a digital divide? I believe that there is. I look at some of my fellow co-workers and watch as dust gathers on their $35, 000.00 Smart Boards. It seems like such a waste to see this happen in our country.
We are so fortunate to have the technology advancement that we use to further our nation. Some might even say: to prosper more and more. Is it a generational gap? Or, perhaps, a lack of information or knowledge perhaps? These are my thoughts…..
So, there is a divide. Some educators believe in using growing technology in their lesson planning, while others do not. Where there is fear, there is ignorance. Perhaps if we educate teachers more, we will prove more fruitful for our students? I hope so!
I think more Professional Development should occur that centers around using technology in the classroom setting. Give teachers specific ideas and examples they can then go implement in their classrooms. I think we would then see a lessening of digital divide.
Thank you.
Laurel
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