EdTec448 - Policy Brief: Access, the Digital Divide, and Special Learners

Below you will find my policy brief for Access the Digital Divide, and Special Learners. If you have a minute please leave a comment. I can't help but feel it's still a bit rough. Suggestions appreciated!

JB - let me know what we need to do here to make this something we can actually use. What's your vision?
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Policy Brief:

Access, the Digital Divide, and Special Populations

Definitions:

Digital Divide - "The term "digital divide" refers to the gap between individuals, households, businesses and geographic areas at different socio-economic levels with regard to their opportunities to access information and communication technologies (ICTs) and their use of the Internet.” ( http://faculty.washington.edu/krumme/internet/divide.html)

Access - The ability or right to approach, enter, exit, communicate with, or make use of (digital and/or information technology). (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/access )

Special Populations: In the FASD, the most commonly considered special populations are: gifted/talented, economically disadvantaged, special education, ESL students

Issue Overview:
In today's global society, it is necessary for all students to be technologically proficient. In order for this to happen, several factors must be considered: Do the students have access to the tools necessary to gain technological proficiency ? Are teachers well-trained in technology integration? Are parents and students informed about resources available to them at the school and in the community?

The FASD is fortunate to have access to a wide variety of technology resources including both hardware and software. Students have regular access to computer labs in both buildings and in many classrooms. The problem we are facing is implementation. Teachers do not receive adequate training to successfully and seamlessly integrate technology into their classes.

In order to bridge the digital divide in our school district teachers will need to become more familiar and more comfortable with the resources available to them. This will enable them to better prepare out students for the future.

Studies suggest that when used properly, technology in the classroom enhances student engagement, offer and avenue to deeper understanding, and encourages higher-level thinking skills. It is important that we address these issues as soon as possible so that our students may graduate with the skills required to be productive members of our local, state, national, and global communities.

Recommendations:

1. Implement an ongoing faculty/staff training program. This program can be offered at regular intervals through the school year, during professional development days and after school. The implementation of a technology coach and designation of faculty leaders will allow us to expand this instruction into the regular school day and include one to one instruction. (This program can be expanded to include instruction available to students and parents).

Pros:

• Increased technology instruction will lead to increased technology integration within classrooms.
  
• Increased instruction will help teachers overcome preexisting inhibitions.
  
• Individualized instruction will increase meaningfulness of instruction.

Cons:

• Increasing training will also increase the already high demand on teacher's time.
  
• Since no district funds have been allocated for Professional Development, all trainers will need to be in-house volunteers.

2. Increase student access to technology. There are two computer labs and one library in each building of the FASD. While classes are sometimes scheduled into the labs, many times they are not. Providing coverage for the lab would allow students greater access to technology before school, after school, and during study halls. It would also allow students individualized instruction in their areas of interest. In addition, there are several old computers in each building that are not currently being used. these computers could be set up in classrooms so that students will have access to technology in a wide range of locations.

Pros:

• Students with limited access to technology at home will be able to easily complete assignments and explore new tools.
  
• Students will be have access to technology tutoring.
  
• Teachers will have the opportunity to increase the use of technology in out-of-class assignments.

Cons:

• With recent personnel cuts it may be difficult to keep the lab staffed so that it can be open at all times.
  
• Setting up old computers will require time and updating.
  
• Old computers in classrooms will most likely have no access to the Internet. Is it worth it?
  

Resources:
Caught in the Digital Divide. Retrieved June 30, 2008 from Education World.
website: http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech041.shtml

Glaser, Mark. Your Guide to the Digital Divide. Retrieved June 30, 2008 from PBS, Media Shift.
website: http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2007/01/digging_deeperyour_guide_to_th.html

Meier, Deborah (2002). In Schools We Trust. Boston, MA: Beacon Press

Uebelacker, Klau. Closing the Gap in the Classroom. Retrieved July 2, 2008 from Digital Divide Network.
website: http://www.digitaldivide.net/articles/view.php?ArticleID=957

Toward Equality of Access: Retrieved July 2, 2008.
website: http://gatesfoundation.org/nr/Downloads/libraries/uslibraries/reports/TowardEqualityofAccess.pdf