Learning via social network! That is what the digital native desires -- I'm not talking about social networks mySpace and Facebook (these are recreational), but social networks teachers establish for learning. Today, students want to participate in a social atmosphere while they learn -- they want to be creators and contributors, but also are open to the ideas and happenings of others. When teachers view classroom management strategies it is usually how to control students to be behave so they can have them engage in traditional learning exercises in the classroom. I think teachers need to review that viewpoint -- how can we get students to become part of the learning network (talking and creating with their peers). Solomon and Schrum hinted that teachers should rethink and re-look at how their teaching styles affect the learner of today.
The issue of access for all students is of great concern to me. To learn that 42% of U.S. households have either no computer or have a computer with no Internet access was mindboogling to me. (Solomon and Schrum, p. 187) I know that my school has 30% of its population with no computer or no Internet access and that concerns me. I do not read in information (books, online, magazines, etc) about how the divide between technology haves and have nots is being closed and that concerns me. It will mean that we will have students leave school without skills that they need, because not all schools have access to technology as well -- so these students are not being given access at home or at school. I have a personal experience with this issue -- I had a young man stop by my library this past school year with papers in hand. He looked uncomfortable so I approached him and asked how I might help him. He said he had to have his paper typed and he didn't have a computer at home and could he use one here at school. Of course, I offered him the use of one of the library's computers. He approached the computers and stared at it blankly -- I asked what the problem was and he said he was new to school and didn't know how to use the computer -- he had never (at the age of 16) used a computer, that his family did not have one at home. So, of course, I sat down with him, showed him how to access his account, how to organize his applications for easy use, and said okay let me know if you need any more help. The confused look on his faced continued as he said to me very quietly -- I've never typed anything on the computer -- I always write my papers by hand, but the teacher won't accept it unless it is typed this time. I had to teach him how to use the word processor and how to print it when he completed his paper (with hunt and peck typing). My point in telling this story is that we must not assume that all students have the technological capability to use Web 2.0 tools just because we do and most students do. We, as educators, need to be concerned with technological haves and have nots and help our students gain access so they can begin to use Web 2.0 tools for the coming School 2.0 of the future.
Unshelved on Saturday, February 25, 2023
1 year ago
3 comments:
I understand your concern but unless the government steps in to fund schools to either rent, check out or wholesale computers to students we aren't going to be able to help these kids a great deal. Parents are also going to have to do what it takes to help their child succeed and not just assume that it is the schools job to supply these kids with computers. It does seem a little crazy in this day and age that there are american children out there that do not have the tools to help them succeed.
Ouch! How many of our high school dropouts are because of this factor I wonder. Yes, the government can step in but just awareness on the part of administrators, teachers and yes..librarians about the status of the digital divide can only help these kids "stuck" in the middle. I'm reminded of the phrase one see's in the underground in London "Mind the Gap".
I think your story is one that occurs quit regularly across the nation. Who is responsible for ensuring that all students have access to the technology training they will need to be successful. One of my students this year has struggled with basic word processing. We do so much computer work in class, utilizing multiple computer programs to enhance curriculum and have a class wikispace. His mother is aware of his lack of computer skill and questioned my expectation. She stated that he was a "cabin" kid who spent all his extra time outside. She has been frustrated with my high expectation of computer skill even though I am very flexible and often spend my time teaching students how to do basic functions such as cut and paste.
As I march forward in creating a 2.0 classroom, the issue of computer lab access is paramount. Forget getting each kid a computer for home use. I think we can circumvent that by simply having the capacity to get them access at school. We currently struggle with this issue. It seems if we could guarantee a certain amount of at-school access, we could "mind the gap" (to quote Katie) a bit more effectively.
To illustrate this, a majority of my students will hit the library for lunch and/or classroom computers to work on assignments so they do not have to do it at home. Having more availability at school will make a difference!
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