Technology in the Curriculum

1. After reading these articles, how do you feel about using technology in a classroom where outside access is a problem?

2. Will you be doing a disservice to all of your students if you do not use technology because of access issues for a few?

3. How will you increase access for students who are disadvantaged?

I think it is important to incorporate technology into education. Before a teacher decides to use technology, it is important to get an idea of how many students have access to computers beyond school. Because we do not know what lies inside a child's home, asking students about technology provides that needed look into their lives. If there are still students who do not have access to technology outside of the classroom, it is important to give ample time in class to complete projects. If a class has time for study hall, give students the chance to use the computers to finish their work.

As the article titled Social Justice-Choice or Necessity mentioned, it is very important that the students of today are technologically savvy. When students enter college, even if they are intellectually gifted, if they do not possess the proper technology skills, they will be steps behind their peers. It is the job of teachers, especially in secondary education, to provide their students with these skills necessary to succeed beyond high school.

Although some students will not have access to computers in their homes, there are resources around school and most communities where computers are available for public use. Many school libraries have computer labs for student use, and can often be used before or after school. The public library is another spot that offers public computer access. Depending on the size of the community, there may be multiple public libraries that are easy for students to access. In Portland, there are coffee shops that offer free internet access with the purchase of a drink or snack.

Our society today offers many opportunities for the public to access technology if they do not have it available in their own home. It is essential to incorporate technology into the classroom for the sake of the students. If teachers want their students to be prepared for the world beyond the classroom, technology needs to be addressed and worked into the curriculum. Encourage students to locate resources beyond their homes. It might be a good idea to start a technology lesson by listing the public computers in the area and how to access them, giving students the information about where to find the computers without putting them on the spot.