Presented by Lauren Moore & Bianca Becker

EDTC 5320

December 3, 2013

INADEQUATE ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY IN K-

12 CLASSROOMS

ISSUE Technology cannot become a meaningful support for students' work if they

have minimal weekly access to it. Technology-supported, project-based instruction requires a high level of access to the sorts of technology tools that researchers and other professionals use on a daily basis to support their work. Schools are faced with the reality of a limited budget for equipment and software (and an even more limited inventory of the most powerful equipment) and must make hard choices about how to get the most out of what they have.

Technology Access in Schools

Uneven distribution of

technology and professional development across K-12

schools

Not enough computers in

the classrooms to use

effectively for classroom instruction

Classroom are not the main location in

school where most students use computers

FINDINGS ON TECHNOLOGY ACCESS

Technical assistance and support for using equipment and software is often inadequate for teachers

Teachers are more likely to use technology regularly at school for administrative tasks rather than instruction-related tasks

FINDINGS ON TECHNOLOGY ACCESS

BRAINSTORMING

How can inadequate access to technology in schools be solved?

PROVIDING ADEQUATE TECHNOLOGY ACCESS

The number of computers in public school classrooms should be increased in order to integrate technology fully into instruction

Strategies for Allocating Computers Distribution among the

regular classrooms Computers in labs Mobile computers in labs

and classrooms Access to wireless

technologies Incremental roll-out

PROVIDING TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR TECHNOLOGY USE AND MAINTENANCE

We didn't really use it [a network communication and learning support system] last year because of all the upgrades and no support. For example, if you turn it on and it doesn't work, I can't figure it out and we won't use it. --Elementary school teacher

Help in planning for technology uses and acquisitions

Providing training in how to use new hardware and software

Providing demonstrations and advice on how to incorporate technology into instruction

Quality technical support for computers and other technologies should be available in every school

Providing on-demand help when software problems or hardware failures arise

Performing low-level maintenance on the system

Arrange for qualified students or staff (Digital Literacy Team) to provide technical assistance to staff and other students where support is needed

CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

Curriculum standards in education

should include technology as

an instructional tool

Establish a pilot classroom to serve as a model • Reward teachers

for designing good instructional uses of technology

Use technology in more

creative ways- school districts should permit more flexibility in instruction by providing incentives

COMMUNITY BUY-IN

Encourage unions and education associations to support the development of technology in schools

Bring together the community, parents, and other groups together to support school reforms to integrate technology into the curriculum and instruction of students

QUESTIONS

RESOURCES

National Education Association. (2008). Access, adequacy, and equity in education technology: Results of a survey of America’s teachers and support professionals on technology in public schools and classrooms. Retrieved from the Edutopia website: http://www.edutopia.org/files/existing/pdfs/NEA-Access,Adequacy,andEquityinEdTech.pdf