Calling all Autobots for the "New Divide." (Thank you, Linkin Park & Michael Bay)

The fact that I even have to answer if as a teacher we should provide students "digital access" is absolutely preposterous. Of course we must! We live in a digital age, and denying our students basic access to technology is absolutely ridiculous. The fact that some students have more technology than they do at home is also absurd to me. Ignoring the technological environment would only spell catastrophe for our future. The world is changing---and for those who don't like technology need to get with he program. We live in a digital world and our students deserve to learn in a digital world. Not everythign needs to be technology based, but a substantial portion should be incoroporated. Why you may ask? I say, WHY NOT? From Webquests to Wikis, Digital History Projects to Zotero, the internet has a plethora of new and exciting strategeies for the teacher to utilize in the classroom. To feign ignorance and continue down the path of resistance is just silly. Is not the overall aim of education to provide a stimulating learning environment using all resources available to the teacher? Every avenue of learning must be explored, and if you're opposed to digital access, ask yourself, why? Do you not feel your students should be provided with as much opportunity as possible? This opportunity for bridging the digital divide comes in two waves, using the technology and having the technology in the classroom. Nothing makes me more irate than a wealthy school selfishly refusing to use technology and just letting it collect dust in the classroom.

As a teacher, I understand new technology can feel overwhelming. But we are teachers, people who love to learn. Why not learn and help our students out? If we choose to ignore the problem of digital access it will only further hinder them down the road when they need the skills the most--in the real world. God forbid we actually TEACH SOMETHING applicable to the real world. I can't tell you how many times of used matrices or had to separate acids from bases in my day to day life.

It doesnt need to start off as a major shift, make it transitional. There's a great website, http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech146.shtml. The site mentions 20 simple ways to start using technology in the classroom, such as a "this day in history moment" or exploring the digital history collections on the Library of Congress website. Also, for those who need some guidance in beginning their transition into the digital age, the site http://www.wtvi.com/teks/integrate/facilitatorssep99.htm has some great powerpoints on how to start becoming accustom to technology.

First and foremost, what are others doing out there to help bridge the digital divide. In Boston, on one of the largest scales, equity towards technology has become a huge issue as part of the local educational reform movement. (http://www.riverdeep.net/current/2002/01/011402t_divide.jhtml) Also, the city of Pittsburgh has been addressing both the physical lack of modern or even working technology as well as a lack of staff training in how to use or maintain computers.
(http://www.post-gazette.com/neigh_city/20010511techcity2.asp) The communities of East Paolo Alto, California (http://clinton4.nara.gov/WH/New/New_Markets-0004/20000417-6.html) and Selma, Alabama (http://www.ed.gov/Technology/digdiv.html) are examples of places where corporations have been the major donor for providing funds for technology in the classroom.

An article on CNN. com (http://archives.cnn.com/2000/TECH/computing/10/11/digital.divide/index.html) shows how detrimental the lack of technology can truly be on a person. This simply must not happen, and I will not be one of those teachers who sits by blindly aiding this plague of vacuous ignorance. The U.S. Department of Education even provides a "tool kit" for teachers, showing them how technology can become apart of the classroom. (http://www.ed.gov/Technology/tool_kit.html). This is one of the first steps I would take, grant writing. Grant writing seems less difficult and more tedious, but it would be worth it to provide further access to students. Also, I would seek out the wealthiest companies in the community and ask for their help. Afterall, tax donations are a large part of tax write offs for all corporations. I would also consider writing a letter to big technology companies, such as Apple, Microsoft, or Cisco.I would even send out a letter to parents letting them know of the dire situation in the classroom and provide reasons why we need technology and ask for their networking help. Parents themselves may night be able to help depending on their socioeconomic status, but they might know someone who can. Finally, I would get the government involved. How might 100s of letters addressed to a congressmen (eventually in a year of re-election) begging for technology help the situation? Politicians love a good publicity stunt and ways to enact their "humanitarian" side. Why not take advantage of the preposterous political climate, they certainly do!

All in all we are teachers and we must be creative! There are tons of ways to get technology in the classroom!