Current Practices

     With all of the current and future technological advances, the education system must include technology or it will be left behind. Many schools do not have the funds to buy technology and the teachers do not find it important enough to apply for a grant. Some teachers don’t understand that, in today’s society, technology needs to be integrated into the classrooms. “Even in many technology-rich schools, there are still strands of students who barely access the technology in meaningful ways” (The Digital Divide Within). In many schools, computer time is seen as free time after the curriculum work is finished; however, this is not an effective way to integrate technology. The children who struggle with assignments or do not “earn” free time are not able to learn about computers and become technologically-savvy. This may also encourage students to rush through their assigned work, so they can have fun on the computers. Even though the students are getting time on the computers, rushing through work is not teaching them time management or letting them absorb the information. I think that computer lab should be a class that has an allotted time during the school day.

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     A model example of integrated technology in education is Howard Elementary School in Eugene, Oregon. Howard Elementary is a technology-based school that maintains a strong technological focus with it teachers and students. The school has a technology coach and tech-support person to help the teachers with any technological issues that may occur. Having tech-support is very beneficial because if a teacher does not fully know how to work one of the high-tech devices, they can always call and receive assistance. Each student has access to a laptop to use and all of the classrooms are set up with SMART boards, document cameras, headsets, and projectors. This is a great example of integrating technology in the classroom because every student has access to the computers and the technology is incorporated into the normal every day classroom curriculum. Howard Elementary is also equipped with ProScope digital microscopes, clickers, Skype, MP3 players, video cameras, and a few other devices. If all of the schools could use technology as much as Howard Elementary, or even just supplying every student with a computer, the digital divide in the classroom could be lessened.

     Connecting Rural Ohio Wireless Neighborhood Initiative is an example of a state initiative to close the Digital Divide. This program is for three communities in the Appalachian Mountains in Ohio. As of 2007, these communities will be given learning centers to provide broadband access. The three Appalachia cities are high in poverty, low in population, and have trouble getting Internet access over the mountain border. This program helps lessen the Digital Divide between the different areas of Ohio. Why should access not be available to some cities just because of a geographic barrier such as mountains? The cities will be receiving free computers, service, and training to residents who want to travel to the learning center. The provided centers will have six networked computers and a printer. This program has been given a $45,000 grant from the Appalachian Community and Economic Impact Fund. Connecting Rural Ohio Wireless Neighborhood Initiative is a great way to give the higher poverty areas of Ohio access to technology.