The Great Technological Divide

"We might question whether students are really as techno-savvy as popular media often portrays or whether they merely have a positive attitude toward technology systems and a broad knowledge of various basic technologies rather than in-depth knowledge of niche applications," (Christine Greenhow, Who are Today's Learners?).

The above quote should be kept in mind when deciding to use or not use technology in the classroom. It is an obvious fact that not all students will have equal access to technology at home, but I don't think that should stop the integration of technology in the classroom. As a high school teacher, it is my job not only to teach my students my subject, but to also prepare them for their future careers and technology is a part of that. The lack of computer access at home is no reason to not use computers in my lessons. Do you think rocket scientists have the technology they use at work readily available at their homes? No. The classroom is no different.

Not using technology in my classroom would be doing my students a great disservice. As stated earlier, part of my job is to prepare them for their jobs. "In 1992, the U.S. Department of Labor’s SCANS report noted that at least 80% of all jobs in the next two decades would require workers to be technologically fluent," (Colleen Swain and David Edyburn, Social Justice: Choice or Necessity?). That was in 1992 - we are now in 2010 and technology is developing faster than ever before. While my students may encounter various forms of technology outside of my classroom without my prompting, I, at the very least, need to make sure that they understand how to use it appropriately. Further, just as my students will gain the knowledge at various paces, I may be able to share something with them another teacher or peer won't.

Since many students won't have access to computers or technology at home, or have only limited access, I would be sure to incorporate class time in my school's computer lab. Homework assignments that require the use of a computer will also be given class time and I would encourage my students to use the school and local library resources. As Swain and Edyburn suggest, the Digital Equity Portal would be a good place to start to perhaps get some personal computers in my classroom that my students can use during my prep periods or after school.

The fact of the matter is technology is not going away. Never again will students rely solely on printed text, a pack of pencils and a spiral notebook. In the same vain, the career force will also never again rely on sending client correspondence or federal filings via US post. Just as the students have to adapt to an ever changing world, as teachers, we do, too.