From my experiences and knowledge working at a district that is so diverse we have both ends of the spectrum. They have minimal technology resources available to them, which fits in to the statistical data collected by Pew Survey. Compared to wealthier districts where I have a few friends who are professional educators they are given almost anything they need which is very unfortunate to the poorer districts because it is putting more of a restriction on learning. The ability to have all this technology plays a big role in a students success I believe because they are being offered more ways to learn and more ways to find data and educate themselves.
As a future educator I feel I would fall under the 64 percentile of teachers under the age of 35 saying they are "very confident" when it comes to using new technologies. At only 24 I am more fortunate than most "older teachers" because I have been able to grow up in the times technology was rising, and I have continued to educate and learn how to use the major technological resources to stay up to date. It gives me a greater advantage to be able to communicate and relate to the students when it comes to technology use.
Eric,
ReplyDeleteYou point out two of the more interesting findings from the Pew survey. Namely, the “digital divide” not only describes the absence of access to classroom technology for students in poor districts, but also the divide that exists between younger and older teachers and their tech experience and capability. On the bright side, you are part of a new generation of teachers who have grown up digitally. I am hopeful that you will be able to make use of your experiences to advocate for both yourself and students with respect to technology access. Maybe the sheer number of new, digitally tuned-in teachers can result in more equitable access to technology?
As older generation teachers retire or in some unfortunate situations I have witnessed being almost "forced to retire" most districts will have to hire our generation since we are next in line to getting jobs depending on experience in some cases. That being said us new digitally tuned-in teachers should result in more equitable access to technology since this is the way we were able to grow up and use this technology through college and higher learning and take it with us to our professional lives.
DeleteEric you make a very strong point. The survey did not surprise me either. I have not taught an actual class, but I have coached. Through coaching at Mary Help of Christians Academy I have also witnessed this disparities first hand. Similar to your school, these girls come from all different backgrounds and economic statuses. Hopefully as new generation teachers we can make a difference in the areas that need it most.
ReplyDeleteEric, I completely agree that wealthier districts have an advantage because more technology is available to them. I need not say how beneficial technology for education, it seems to go hand in hand with learning these days. I too feel like I am confident with using technology. I had just posted on Anita's Pew response that as a younger generation, of course we have an advantage over older generations. We are young and in school, actively spending much of our time learning and using the technology as it advances.
ReplyDeleteHello Eric,
ReplyDeleteYour post on the survey is very thought provoking. We share a similarity in our view that wealthier districts seem to have little resistance when requesting technology in their school systems and that less fortunate districts tend to have issues with technology in their classrooms let alone students' access at home. With that said, being "confident in technology" now, do you think we will be as confident 15-20 years from now? Do you think we will struggle as much as our predecessors?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and allowing me to comment!