Now more than ever technology is at its peak. It is constantly changing and getting upgraded. Technology is able to do what is not possible for some human beings to do. Some may argue that technology is for people who are lazy, that it simply just makes things easier. Yes, technology may make some things easier, however with technology people are able to do even greater things then without it. Since technology is the center of many corporations and companies, why should education be any different? Using technology in schools can open up a whole new world of possibilities for students. By integrating technology into schools, it can make learning more fun for students and will also prepare them for their future. At the rate technology is changing today, the future will only become more focused on the technology at that time. Therefore if students learn through technology it will only prepare them more so that they can one day do great things with their careers.
Although integrating technology is a great thing for many schools, it is not always possible. As a teacher you may teach in a place in that is very affluent where it is just expected that each student in your class has at least one computer in their home. However you can not just assume this. A digital divide can be created when just one student in your class does not have access to a computer or any other form of technology. The complete opposite of this could happen also. You may be teaching in a third world country where your students have never even seen a computer before. There are also many places in the America where none of the students have ever used a computer. Education is something that should be a right to all, not a privilege. All students should have the same opportunity to learn. All students should also have the same opportunity to learn in the same way so that the playing field is leveled out and they all have an equal opportunity at succeeding in whatever they choose.
Whether it be the one kid in the school who doesn’t own a computer at home or the student who lives in a third world country and has never even heard the word, “technology” ,the issue of Accessibility in technology is a wide ranged issue. “The Digital Divide refers to the gap between individuals, households, businesses and geographic areas at different socio-economic levels with regard both to their opportunities to access information and communications technologies (ICTs) and to their use of the Internet for a wide variety of activities. It includes the imbalance both in physical access to technology and the resources and skills needed to effectively participate as a digital citizen.”(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_divide). The digital divide becomes a much bigger problem when students transfer schools, move onto the next level, or when a student from a third world country comes to America or vice versa. Many people may not think of this as a problem but when students move onto middle school, they are being merged with many other schools in the area. These students are then expected to all have had the same educational experiences and opportunities. For some schools they are expected to know how to use technology and how to make things such as a powerpoint presentation or a Microsoft excel project. The majority of the students may have learned how to do all of this in elementary school, but what about that one elementary school that did not have the money to provide all students with laptops. The students that have never used technology before may begin to feel less intelligent and sure of themselves. The issue of the Digital Divide can effect a variety of different things within students all around the world.
Overview | A Closer Look | Current Practices | Educational Impact | Solutions | Bibliography |
