Digital Divide

Over time technology has become so integrated into society that most of us couldn't imagine life without it. I got my first computer when I was 9 and that was a big step up from a typewriter. The world wide web was yet to become the biggest thing around and google did not even exist. Back then, chip's challenge and solitare was the biggest thing.

For those of you who now suddenly have the urge to play (and are going oh yeah I remember that):
Chip's Challenge

Some people to this day still do not have a computer or even a television. One of the problems is cost, if it is not absolutely essential people won't buy it or can't afford to buy it. Another issue is religion or parents who believe that television's spoil children's creativity. So how do you keep this people up to date on technology? The answer is school. Teachers need to show students how to use computers, not just as a gaming tool, but as a tool for work. Most young students come into classes only having used computers to play video games or to chat with their friends. Even kids who know how to use computers are often exposed to information overload. Which sites should they use and which was have the information they need?

For how to do this see:
Credible Sites

So what do you do with students who don't have access?
Some tips are:
1. Give them time in class
2. Tell them ahead of time
3. Give them an alternative assignment or provide the entire class with more than one option
4. Point out labs or places they can can to get the assignment done
5. If all else fails, don't make the assignment worth a large number of points

Wondering about what's up and coming in technology?
Check out this magazines:
Popular Science
NewScientist

Tech Standards in Education

The 2002 technology standards would be seen as outdated if looked at by someone from 2009. Terms like telecommunications and information access could mean anything by today's standards. Plus, who uses the word telecommunications anyway? And what does information literacy skills exactly mean....
Here's a link for the standards if you're curious:
2002 Standards

So then how did these standards come about? Russia and the Cold War, apparently. At least the idea for the internet dates back to then. Indiana Jones, anyone?

Here's a short video on the history of the internet (I promise you it's actually interesting and well done):



So since then the standards have been updated in this 2008 version:
2008 Standards

Luckily, someone realized the need for student-centered learning instead of teacher-centered and the standards were made to reflect that. Teachers started showing students how to use the technology instead of just employing it in lectures with things, such as PowerPoint. I wish teachers had been this up to date on computers and the like when I was in high school, it would have saved me a lot of heartache. I could probably understand topics better if Youtube was as popular then as it is now. Plus, I could have turned in assignments online, so convenient. Furthermore, the new standards are much more specific and better defined than the old ones. Just using the technology is not enough, you have to be able to show others how to use it too.