I continue to be concerned about the growing gap between my students who are ready, willing and able to move into the 21st century "web 2.0" learning environment and those deficient in one or more of the "ready, willing & able" . I teach in a large public high school, we have a somewhat diverse (at least in socioeconomic terms) community. Recently I have been spending time learning about the web 2.0 tools and getting excited about bringing them into my classroom. Then reality hits me, I can't get time in one of the schools only two computer labs (for a school of 1800), and if I do get in the internet might be crawling (connection issues are being addressed). I see wonderful places to integrate this work in all I do. But what happens to the kid who either does not have a computer at home, or only has dial up, or may be losing their internet connection due to tough economic times. I have seen the gap between the haves and the have nots grow in my life time and worry that the have nots with out computer skills are going to continue to fall behind.
I also worry that too many of our kids think they have better computer skills then they actually have. They assume because they can get on and communicate with their friends on facebook that they have solid computer skills. Too many of my students struggled with the relatively simple task of finding a digital image on a shared computer drive(on school server) and inserting image into a written lab report. I spent the last couple hours reading all the exciting things people are doing around the globe and then I think of the struggling students in my classroom.
Hi Lisa
ReplyDeleteI find your reflection to be very similar to my experience ... except that I deal with faculty and you deal with staff. I often find that our campus lacks accessibility to technology (only two computer labs!), unreliable internet connection, and often times, a critical mass of naysayers who refuse to integrate technology as a partner in the pursuit of teaching and learning. We continue and make progress and build champions with our enthusiastic members, and I am very pleased with that. As adoption rates build, I offer the mantra, "if we build it, they will come".
I love this:
ReplyDelete"They assume because they can get on and communicate with their friends on facebook that they have solid computer skills. Too many of my students struggled with the relatively simple task of finding a digital image on a shared computer drive(on school server) and inserting image into a written lab report."
Here's the difference...and I would love to hear your students take on this.
The computer to students is the Internet. For many of them they do differentiate between the two. They do not remember a time before the Internet as the Internet...as we know it today...was launched the year this year's Seniors were born. They do not remember a time when finding pictures and creating Word documents was what a computer was used for....for them it's always been about communication.
They don't have computer skills....they have Internet Skills.
Are we putting our "old computer skills" on their "new Internet skills"? Not that knowing how to find a photo on a serve is a bad thing...I'm just trying to remember the last time I had to do that. I first go to Flickr.com or Google Image search to find a photo. My guess is your students have that skill of finding a photo down pretty good. :)
I remember when getting on the computer was playing in Word...was learning these skills. Today when kids get on the computer the skills they are learning and "playing" with are different. Not saying that's good or bad....just different.
Would your students relate to blogging better then writing in Word?
Would your students relate more to creating a YouTube video explain a concept than giving an in class presentation?
As far has having a connection to the Internet and access to a computer. I do agree this is the new digital divide. I've seen it all over the world. When students here in Thailand have access to computers...because they are cheaper....and the Internet....because it is cheaper (1MB DSL Line = $12/month) your students are at a disadvantage. When we can all learn free from the largest body of knowledge that is the Internet...those that can not access it are the new "lower class".