Month: July 2021

Twitter, as Sheninger (2019) explained, “is a microblogging platform that allows users to send free messages called tweets in 280 characters or less [and] can be text, imagines, links, videos, or even a combination of these, making it a dynamic communications tool” (p. 6). As I was introduced to Twitter, it was a strictly social application for me as a way to express thoughts and then it became so much more. It is cost efficient as Sheninger (2019) expressed that “instead of spending money on expensive information delivery systems, digital leaders can use Twitter for free” (p. 6). The information disseminated can be anything and everything. The details of what can be sent out is a wide range of things like “routine reminders of school functions — concerts, art shows, athletic contests and scores, scholastic competitions, and back-to-school night” (Sheninger, 2019, p. 6). This means allows for all stakeholders to receive the “information through a variety of mobile devices where traditional means of communication fall short” (Sheninger, 2019, p. 6). Traditional ways include fliers or newsletters. For sporting events or scholastic competitions where the information is time sensitive, traditional means would not work as those results want to be known quickly. School leaders have to be aware of the popularity of social media and use it to their advantage “to not only get the information quickly and easily to stakeholders, but also to redirect them to other sources of information that provide more depth” (Sheninger, 2019, p. 6). As a teacher, Twitter changed for me. Sheninger (2019) made an excellent point when he explained that “teachers are the backbones of our schools and unfortunately, their innovative work is not shared and celebrated as much as it should be [and] Twitter allows school leaders to create more of a transparent culture by tweeting out lessons, ideas, and innovative learning activities that are observed during classroom observations” (p. 7) It turned into a useful tool to post innovative practices and lessons, pictures of students doing projects and making the connections. This is a quick and easy way for parents and the community to have a visual to see the happenings of the class and school. Twitter also provides those same pictures and lessons and tools to assist others in providing those same lessons to their students. Another teacher can post a great project and other teachers can use those ideas in their classes with their students. This is a great way to promote student achievement and evidence of student engagement.    

In the wake of the storm season in Florida and other events, there are many instances where it is needed to get emergency information quickly to parents, staff, and students. If there is a power outage many community members may not get the information needed but during that time cell phone companies will enact their hotspot or WIFI capabilities. This will allow Twitter to still be used as “information was still pushed out and accessible” (p. 8). At my school, our principal has a Twitter account and they use it to relay information, share news, pictures, and other media for parents and the community to be aware of happenings at the school. I turn on the notifications for their account and It allows me to view the information and share it or “retweet” the informative for my followers and they can do the same. Twitter is simple to create. Sheninger (2019) explains to “go to twitter.com to create a free account, develop a username that reflects the use of the tool for school communications, include the biographical information, link to the school website, and a picture of the school, include a background wit pictures of the mascot or school, and lastly notify stakeholders of the Twitter account” (p. 8). 

The integration of technology has changed the dynamics of school and community relations. It has bridged the gap that was wide. Many students are feeling more involved as well as their parents as they are well aware of what is going on and are able to be in contact with teachers and administrators quickly without any delay. Technology, I would say, has really changed the course of education for the better. I say that while typing on an iPad connecting with professors and classmates through CANVAS while never seeing them in person. 

References

Sheninger, E. (2019). Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times (Revised). Corwin Press. ISBN: 9781544350837

Rehana Seedeen-Vargas

EDL 635

Richard Jones

July 4th, 2021

Technology Issue Blog 

As we view technology integration within the classroom we identify critical elements that support student achievement. Achievements can be measured by engagement, several scales of assessments, classroom grades, teacher input, and overall performance in their academic setting. Technology has been integrated into the classroom to support student achievement and meet the trends of a society that has advanced with the use of modern technology.  

Companies like Microsoft were founded in 1975 with the founder Bill Gates, and Apple in 1976 with the founder Steve Jobs. These pioneers identified a need and supported these needs with technology to support the everyday person. They provided tools to support day-to-day tasks for humans, to make things faster, and to provide information at the touch of a button. As the world was keeping up with these advances we had to utilize these tools in the classroom so we can support these global citizens with the skills necessary to be successful. 

In the article, “What is successful technology integration?” (Edutopia. 2021), they discuss the importance technology has in the classroom. They state, “ Successful technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is: routine and transparent, accessible and readily available for the task at hand, and Supporting the curricular goals, and helping the students to effectively reach their goals” thus leading readers to believe when students interact with technology in planned, standards-based supported scenarios they outcome will be successful and support the learning experience. We want our students to be prepared to advance in technology and understand how to navigate around technology to support their learning and day-to-day needs so they can ultimately be successful. 

Technology in the classroom can be viewed as an alternative experience for the student to enhance the lesson and experience. This extends an opportunity for teachers and students to explore methods and apply appropriate technology to support their learning experience. As technology is trending we need to ensure we are keeping our students up to date with the advancements. 

This past year with the pandemic, I believe everyone got a crash course in technology and how vital it was to keeping connections to each other to support the needs of our students. At the same time, it showed the true value of personal interaction and how important it is in the learning process. To be once removed by a screen was very difficult for many educators and students. But the world was resilient and we utilized technology and resources to support our students the best way we can. During this time we relied on technology to make the connections not only at school but through zoom calls with family, friends, and work. I believe due to this global pandemic we were able to start redefining the role that technology plays in our everyday lives. 

In my experience within the school district there were many students that suffered and were not able to succeed within the virtual earning setting and as a federal, state, and local government we need to make adjustments to support our learners to ensure they are given the opportunities within the classroom to support this deficit. 

In all, my advice to educators is to utilize technology within the classroom to enhance the lesson but try to keep as much of a human touch as possible. Support the logic behind the use of technology and give your students the means but don’t forget to take the time to understand individual needs and customize learning around each student. Technology can be rigid and very one-dimensional and not all of our students learn best in this setting. Hopefully, as we move forward and adjust to our “new norm” we will be able to utilize all that we have learned in the past year to enhance and support our students to enhance the educational experience.

Reference 

“Microsoft Founded”. HISTORY, 2021, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/microsoft-founded. Accessed 4 July 2021.

“What Is Successful Technology Integration?”. Edutopia, 2021, https://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-description. Accessed 4 July 2021.

In everchanging times, technology has become a staple in most classrooms across the country. School districts have had to quickly open their mindset on how to use technology in effective ways that are also meaningful to the students.   Some school districts have required the use of technology platforms to collect diagnostic data for years.  What the pandemic has shown educators across the country is that technology, and knowing best practices for implementation, is essential.  It can also be a useful tool for all stakeholders to stay connected.  However, technology can create problems for these same stakeholders.  This article will discuss the pros and cons of implementing technology platforms in the classroom.

There are many benefits of using technology platforms in the classroom.  The first is that it provides teachers and students will real-time data.  Teachers can use this to help provide interventions for students who are not yet mastering the objective.  It also allows students immediate feedback on how they are progressing towards meeting their goals. (Brown, Casey, 2019)

 Another benefit is giving students more choices and ownership over their own learning.  This will increase engagement, and ultimately increase achievement. Many of the platforms that have been found to be effective in classrooms offer plans at no cost to the teacher or students.  Utilizing these platforms, instead of paper resources end up being more cost effective for the school.  (Brown, Casey, 2019)

In addition, educational platforms allow students the opportunity to learn and improve their own technology skills that are necessary to be competitive in today’s global economy.  Many school district’s visions and missions include teaching the whole child and preparing them for the 21^st century with needed skills.  Utilizing various technology platforms can add to this mission.  Platforms such as storyboard.com, Microsoft sway, or PowerPoint allow students to practice and use these skills in a meaningful way in the classroom.  (Brown, Casey, 2019)

However, there are also cons of using technology platforms in the classroom.  The first is distractions.  If you are using a platform, such as Study Island, for whole group sessions, students can become distracted with other windows opened, and not benefit fully from the practice.  Technology platforms could also open the door to the ability to cheat if not monitored properly.  For example, if a teacher assigns an assessment to be completed online and does not require the students to complete it while under his supervision, this could lead to potential cheating.  Though this is a con, it is one that could be easily addressed by requiring students to complete all online assessments in the classroom.  Furthermore, access to technology for use outside of the classroom may not be equal for all students.  Teachers need to be mindful of this when assigning required activities online.  (Brown, Casey, 2019)

Some critics of technology in the classroom argue that computers are replacing teachers, and students are losing the critical face-to-face time needed as part of the learning process.  However, I argue that when implemented effectively, technology can enhance and further support instruction after face-to-face interactions.  Another complaint is that the use of technology adds to the ever-increasing amount of screen time for kids.  Though, not wrong, I argue that screen time with an educational focus, is not detrimental for students. (Brown, Casey, 2019)

Implementing technology effectively in the classroom requires proper professional development and clear implementation expectations for teachers.  In addition, teachers must set clear expectations for students for proper use, and expectations for parents as to what online platforms may be utilized outside of the classroom.  Furthermore, it is in the school’s best interest to provide opportunities for students to access these platforms in the school building so that equal access is not ever an issue. 

References

Brown, Casey.  (May 16, 2019).  12 pros and cons of technology in the classroom.  Retrieved July 2, 2021 from https://www.classcraft.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-technology-in-the-classroom/

Technology plays a major role in our everyday lives. Regardless of where we go, we see and interact with some type of technology. As our world evolves, people are increasingly using technology to ensure a more productive, quicker, safer, and easier lifestyle. Even in our daily jobs, we are required to have some basic knowledge of technology to perform our daily tasks successfully. So, when faced with the questions, should technology be integrated into the classroom? Does technology integration have more benefits than disadvantages? The answer is a solid YES!

Last year alone shows the importance of technology in education. When the pandemic hit, schools and other businesses solely relied on technology to continue functioning. Although we were not prepared for this hit, we made it work with technology. Students continued their studies, and teachers gain greater knowledge on using technology for interactive and effective lessons. Although we went through a time of isolation, teachers were able to stay in contact with parents, students, and all other staff members and continued their daily routines to ensure a successful end of the school year.

Besides the pandemic, there are many more benefits in technology integration in schools. For starters, it has been proven that when students are given the opportunity to learn with technology, schools have a higher success rate. When speaking on this topic, Dr. Mohammed explains that multiple studies have shown that when technology has been incorporated into students’ learning experience across our nation, there were better academic outcomes than classrooms that did not include technology (2019). One of the main causes of this is that teachers can use technology to individualize lessons and ensure each student is learning at their own pace. One of our biggest problems in education is that we at times treat education as a one-size-fits-all, and it has been proven that we all learn at our own pace and have different learning styles. Technology integration allows teachers to bring all lessons at each student’s learning level, leading to more learning gains and success in schools.

Technology integration helps teachers incorporate student interest in their lessons. As technology becomes part of our daily lives, children are becoming more fascinated by it. When given the option of learning through textbooks or technological tools such as a tablet, laptop, or SMARTboard, students are most likely to choose technology over textbooks. Teachers can use this to their advantage by using technology to plan more fun and effective lessons in their classrooms. They can do so by taking the most challenging lessons and creating engaging activities that require students to collaborate with one another. While in the classroom, students can participate in an interactive quiz, tech-enabled group discussions, educational games, and participate in science experiments in a virtual lab or taking a virtual field trip (Himmelsbach, 2021). As students engage in those activities, they have a greater chance of understanding even the most challenging lessons. This will also help them to remain focused and interested in their learning.

Technology integration also helps students take ownership of their learning. When discussing this topic, A writer in Edutopia states, “Technology helps change the student/teacher roles and relationships: students take responsibility for their learning outcomes, while teachers become guides and facilitators.” (2007). As daily lessons become more engaging and collaborative, teachers can take the back seat and serve as a guide as students take control of their learning. This leads to a more meaningful, memorable, and enjoyable classroom experience for all students. It also leads to students having a desire to participate and learn in school.

Technology has been a great gift to our nation and our educational world. Without technology, the pandemic would have been much harder to endure both personally and educationally. As technology continues to be integrated into each child’s education, students have a higher chance of succeeding in schools. They also have a higher chance of being prepared for their future jobs and interact with the outside world. 

Mohammed, S. (2019, May 8.). Is Technology Good or Bad for Learning? Brown Center Chalkboard. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brown-center-chalkboard/2019/05/08/is-technology-good-or-bad-for-learning/

Why Do We Need Technology Integration? The myriad benefits of integrating technology into the classroom. (2007, November 5). Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-importance

Himmelsbach. V.  (2021, May 15). How Technology in The Classroom Can Impact Student Learning https://tophat.com/blog/how-does-technology-impact-student-learning/#:~:text=Technology%20can%20help%20students%20by%20making%20learning%20more,in%20class%20or%20participating%20in%20tech-enabled%20group%20discussions.

Years ago, when one thought about a school and the various components that made up a learning facility, the most key items would be textbooks, hands-on material, rubrics, and a quality teacher. As time has continued to move forward and there have been changes in various facets of the world’s industry, education is not that far behind, especially with the inclusion and integration of technology.  According to the text, “Educational Leadership and Technology,” “in order to accomplish the transformation of American education, school leaders must recognize and use the “power of technology” to improve student productivity, while making “more efficient use of time, money, and staff.” (Garland & Tadeja, 2013) Technology has become such an essential part of the school infrastructure, especially within the last year and during the pandemic. School leaders and teachers were on the frontlines of unloading just how important a role technology would begin to play. The question then becomes not when technology should be used but how technology integration improves student achievement through greater learning engagement.

According to the article eductupia.org article, “What Is Successful Technology Integration?” technology integration is the assimilating usage of various electronic resources within a school’s infrastructure, both in the daily practices and the overall school management. The article states that effective technology integration is shown in three ways: when it is “routine and transparent, accessible and readily available for the task at hand, supporting the curricular goals, and helping the students effectively reach their goals.” (What Is Successful Technology Integration? 2007) These three ways to implement a successful technology plan require a change in how administrators understand the potential of electronic programming that will help differentiate learning while supporting the teachers’ various delivery to provide each child with a quality learning experience that suits them. For example, having students within a classroom that are different types of learners may cause there to be a shift to the different programs that the children can use to complete the same objective. The integration of technology provides an opportunity to meet the students where they are and close the educational gap.

Technology integration needs to be second nature. Many teachers learned during this pandemic that the need to be flexible and adaptable to any changes that could come up, from lack of textbook resources to lack of classroom materials. This pandemic then opened the door for the totality of technology. There is a strong educational shift when a school/district incorporates a strong technology plan, provides the necessary electronic resources and Internet access.  The teachers can now reach their students and engage with their students creatively and technically instead of continuing the “stand and deliver” teaching method. Through social media platforms, from Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Tik Tok, students and staff can dive into learning in a completely new way, which causes students to be more interested in that new lesson and participate with their peers to share new ideas.

According to the text, “Educational Leadership and Technology,” “although technology alone does not provide good pedagogy, digital age tools can jumpstart the creativity of each child.” (Garland & Tadeja, 2013) As administrators, teachers, and staff, we must continue to look at the school community’s needs and how they can continue to support quality learning, they must integrate technology within their day-to-day practices in the classroom. The integration of technology will directly impact promoting the use and understanding of technology, meet the individual needs of the students, and allow students to gain a global mindset when it comes to innovation, creativity, and collaboration.

Bill Gates stated, “We are changing the world with technology.” If anyone looks back over their lives to compare technology then to now, they’d conclude that there is quite a gap between the tablets we use today and the tablets they used then. I must admit that was corny however, I could not resist. As an educator, I am amazed and maybe even jealous at the wealth and access of technology our students have at the tip of their fingers. In schools, we love to say we are raising world changers. What a powerful mission to see fulfilled. For us to raise world changers we need several things. We need dedicated teachers, committed parents, and an environment suited for their development. Even more so why not equip these world changers with a tool that is going to help them change the world! This is what makes the integration of technology so crucial in schools. The integration of technology as it pertains to education refers to the use of technology to enhance the student learning experience. According to a study conducted by Digital Education, nearly ninety-five percent of schools nationwide reported that digital learning is taking place in at least half their classrooms. Technology in classrooms has allowed students not only to learn in a relatable manner but also in a way whereby it is personalized. 

Why is technology integration important in schools? We can answer this question by starting with the ever-changing world that we live in is being influenced entirely by technology. If our schools are to prepare our students to excel in this new technologically advanced society, it is pivotal they are exposed to it in school. Many children today cannot picture life without cell phones and computers. To take it a step further many of them can’t remember the days before Google, wifi, or TikTok! Yes, children, there was a time we had to go to the library to look up information and couldn’t post about it. Since many of these students have been raised in a digital world, it is imperative technology becomes a part of their curriculum. According to TechnoKids, students need to be educated on how to use “technology to acquire, demonstrate, apply and communicate information.” 

Teachers are tasked with the responsibilities of preparing our world changers for society with the adequate skills required to be successful. The corporate world is being dramatically transformed with the invention of computers, the internet, and other technological advances. Today, many of us as teachers and administrators can attest, a significant portion of our work and workday is heavily reliant on our laptops! Workplaces all over the world are relying on computers to be able to complete tasks and duties at work. Many use computers to communicate with clients, coworkers, and other companies. They use them to calculate, analyze, and generate data. We were able to see how powerful the role of technology had in our lives during the pandemic as our entire world seemed to shut down. With the integration of the internet in our society, people and students were no longer bound to a physical environment. Parents, employees, and employers could work from home. The world was introduced to zoom! People were able to do various job activities such as email, research, communication, meetings, and access files and data from their bedside. Students were able to have class, see friends, and continue their classrooms activities and daily school work through the power of technology. 

Drexel university school of education presented research on the benefits of technology in schools. One benefit of technology is that it keeps students engaged. Active engagement is crucial to students learning process. Technology allows there to be a high level of engagement because it is interactive. Another factor is that it helps students with different learning styles. We all are wired differently therefore different modes of learning varies from student to student as it pertains to its effectiveness. The use of technology can afford students the opportunity to learn at their own pace and style. And lastly, technology prepares students with crucial life skills. Technology as part of the school curriculum enables students to harness and refine their skills for life after school in a digital world. It’ll be remiss to say that technology doesn’t have its downfall. It is essential that teachers educate students regarding the ethics and safety of responsible use of technology. 

                                                                        References

Drexel University School of Education. (n.d.). How to Integrate Technology in the Classroom. School of Education. https://drexel.edu/soe/resources/student-teaching/advice/how-to-use-technology-in-the-classroom/.

TechnoKids Inc. (n.d.). Integrating Technology In The Curriculum – TechnoKids. TechnoKids Inc. https://www.technokids.com/store/computer-curriculum/technology-integration.aspx.

When the pandemic caused school closures educators were asking themselves “how do I teach my students virtually?” It was a question that caused many restless nights for this educator. Luckily I am not a stranger to integrating technology in my classroom but this was no longer my ‘regular’ classroom so the integration needed a face lift. It became apparent that other educators thought the same. 

Unknowingly the need for support resulted in collaboration throughout the United States. Fellow educators rose to the challenge of seamlessly integrating technology into now virtual classrooms. According to Edutopia, “Seamless integration is when students are not only using technology daily, but have access to a variety of tools that match the task at hand and provide them the opportunity to build a deeper understanding of content.” Various groups such as a Facebook group called Bitmoji Craze for Educators started developing and organizing creative ideas to engage students in virtual learning while allowing them to access a variety of technology tools. Teachers from all over the United States started asking questions, collaborating on units of study, sharing resources, and encouraging each other. Technology unknowingly impacted the learning journey of the educators as well as the students. 

Bitmoji Room with links to books, videos, and “How To” Experiments

Educators were not the only learning institutions to find ways to use technology to continue their mission of education. The communities of the world also saw the opportunity to use technology to reach members of the public. Virtual learning programs emerged from zoos, museums, non-profit organizations, and other independent companies. Each took their own approach to keep the public informed. Places like Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and The Hidden Worlds of National Parks brought the outside world into every home through their virtual programs. Everyone regardless of their age became available to explore places through virtual field trips, live videos, and recorded videos. Some places, like  Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute took it a step further to support educators by providing learning activities to follow the live cams or virtual field trips. Educators, like myself, immediately saw the value in these learning experiences and used these to keep students engaged in learning topics by bringing the outside world to them since we couldn’t go to it. 

The Hidden Worlds of National Park Virtual Ranger Visits

Technology made it possible for educators to not feel alone. Connecting with others online can be a powerful experience, both for teachers and for students.By connecting with fellow educators in various online groups and implementing virtual learning programs a new form of collaboration took shape. Moving forward technology will continue to be an important collaboration tool not just for teachers but for students too! It truly took a village to make virtual learning an effective “new normal” in the education world.

References: https://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-description

Due to the pandemic the integration of technology has become a serious topic among educators. Though it was a topic prior, nothing quite pushed it to the limits as the past year. States were to decide how to conduct school so that our scholars did not fall behind educationally. Due to the advancements of technology, school was made possible. Though virtual school was an option here in the state of Florida, it was not an option many thought of before the pandemic. Even with schools getting back to face to face, moving away from virtual school, it is important for districts/schools to think of impact technology had on their students.

This should open the doors to so much more in the name of education. Now schools are using technology in new ways and discovering new ways to connect the community. In the past, parts of the community were disconnected because they could not come into the school. However, due to the push for virtual leaning this changed, and it opened the door to new ways of communication with schools and their community.

In an article by McKittrick and Bateman, they quoted an occupational teacher who found more engagement in virtual leaning by saying “Once the session is done the mom would stay on and say, ‘All right, show me that again. How did you do that?’ So, there is a huge increase in parent partnership in a very meaningful way that had never existed. And for me that is by far the greatest joy that has come out of this. It’s been beautiful.” Virtual schooling has not just continued education for students but has now engaged families in the learning process of their students in a different way. As a parent, as a leader of the school, as a teacher, or a student, this exact scenario is why technology has been such a blessing to the education system. Schools should continue to use virtual meetings with families, even as the face to face schools comes back. This is just another way to show families that their time and efforts are appreciated. It will show that schools are flexible and eager to have family engagement.

However, not all stories of technology are like the one discussed above. There a few reasons why technology can fail, and it is up to the school, leadership, and teachers to ensure the success of any technology they choose to use with their community. One reason is that families need support on how to access and use the technology pushed out to them. A school can not just assume that all families have knowledge on the program you were trained on how to use. Another reason is not all families have the same connection ability as others. Some families do not have internet in the home, a computer, or cell phone that is readily available to use, as they may not be able to afford to the always pay the bill.

Although there is   for technology, districts and schools need to think of how best to meet the needs of everyone. There is not a one size fits all when it comes to schooling and communication with families in education. Schools have reported an increase in parent-teacher conferences due to virtual but not all families are able to access the means to be virtual. Schools will need to continue to have face to face meetings. Face to face meetings for some families are just as meaningful as virtual meetings for other families. It is important that schools use technology the same way they teach, with diversity. Schools should continue to empower parents with different options and technology. This will only happen if schools continue to learn and grow themselves.

References

McKittrick, & Bateman. (2021, May 11). Technology to the rescue: How technology helped connect teachers and parents of students with disabilities through remote learning. Technology to the rescue: How technology helped connect teachers and parents of students with disabilities through remote learning | Center on Reinventing Public Education. https://www.crpe.org/thelens/technology-rescue-how-technology-helped-connect-teachers-and-parents-students-disabilities.

Traditional versus Progressive
It is difficult to ignore the fact that educators are beginning to enter this profession younger and younger. It is not an anomaly to see a twenty-one year old teacher in a classroom as the lead teacher; I began my teaching career at twenty-two. Over the years, I’ve taught both primary and secondary grade levels. Currently, I am a twenty-six year old first grade teacher. As a kid who grew up in this digital age, I vividly remember having computers in my classrooms as early as kindergarten. In this ever-changing society, we must change the way we view technology as an add-on if we want to remain competitive globally.

Furthermore, I believe that teachers must constantly “reinvent themselves” in order to remain relevant to the students whom they teach. There’s an age old saying that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. In some cases, teachers who have earned their tenure become comfortable with doing things the way they have been doing them for years and are unwilling to implement new technology. Also, teachers must be willing to embrace change and embrace the future state of our world. Instead of rejecting technology, we must teach students how to use it in a safe manner. The more we normalize using technology, the less taboo it will become. Technology inclusion ultimately makes education more engaging for students.

Additionally, I am a huge proponent of giving older students options within the classroom. For instance, If I give a one-thousand word essay assignment, I will give students the option of using paper and pencil or typing it on the computer. This is a minor example, but for most students this is a quicker way to complete assignments while keeping track of the word count. According to the text, the most relevant power of technology includes improving student productivity, while making “more efficient use of time, money, and staff” (Garland, V. E., & Tadeja, C).

Education Equity
I often despise the phrase that we all have the same twenty-four hours. A homeless student in the inner city does not have the same twenty-four hours as a student who lives in a wealthy two parent home. As Jaime Casap discusses in his TedTalk, education is the silver bullet to escape poverty within one generation. However, I often worry about education equity as technology is integrated into classrooms because some schools will have the advantage over others. Even in the unlikely event that all schools are given the same technology, equality is not the same as equity. 2020 was the year we learned the importance of technology within education, and unfortunately, many schools were ill-prepared to handle the transition from brick and mortar to virtual learning.
I’ve had the unique opportunity of working at two schools during the pandemic.

School A, a predominantly white, suburban, high socioeconomic, nationally ranked middle school. School A, already had a virtual earning format established in the rare occurrence of a snow day. The class schedule, daily assignments and homework were readily established. Parents were also more invested in their students’ education. School B, a predominantly Somali, urban, low socioeconomic elementary/middle school. Unfortunately, at school B, we were overwhelmed with the transition to virtual learning. There were not enough laptops to distribute to students initially, so some students had to wait for a new district shipment. We also had to combat additional factors such as no internet access, broken laptops, and the establishment of a Google classroom/ Zoom meeting structure. Furthermore, most students who were not accustomed to logging onto a computer had poor attendance. Older teachers grew frustrated with the technology and it was very apparent to the students. As you can see there is an obvious difference between the two schools. As a result, School A will have the advantage, thus yielding a greater outcome.

Maturity
On the other hand, when used correctly, technology has the potential to make our world “smaller” by keeping us connected. It is amazing the way I can take a course from a school in Florida, while living anywhere in the world. Technology within the classroom will make students more responsible. For example, in the 1990’s the “baby project” was very popular among schools. Teachers would assign a doll, or even an egg to represent a baby. The purpose of the assignment was to demonstrate to students what it would be like to take full responsibility over something other than oneself. I often think of this analogy in regard to students caring for their laptop everyday.

References

Garland, V. E., & Tadeja, C. (2013). Educational Leadership and Technology : Preparing School Administrators for a Digital Age.

Casap, J. (2013) Saving the Silver Bullet [Video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbXgCLMl9R4