Technology resources vary greatly from poor schools and neighborhoods to wealthy schools and neighborhoods. How can we help students find technology resources that will help them achieve? How can we best prepare them to make optimum use of available resources?
First of all, the best way for teachers to help students utilize their available recources is for teachers to actually be aware of what recources students have access to outside of school. Once we know what our students have available to them, we will be able to help them realize the full potential they can reach by using the technology. Asking students to complete assignments might require a great deal of differentiation, as not all students are going to be able to access the same technology. However, I think that it is worth the extra time to make sure that all students are given the opportunity to explore what they have and begin to develop an understanding of what they are able to do with it independantly. Also, we need to utilize the resources we have in the classroom to the fullest extent, so that our students get every possible chance to ask questions and form an understanding for the technology before being asked to do it themselves. They need the guidance from us first in order to succeed individually.
ReplyDeleteWhether teaching in a poor or wealthy school, teachers and reading specialists need to be aware of and familiar with all of the technological devices that they have available to them and their students. Although wealthy neighborhoods are able to provide their schools with more advanced equipment, the poorer neighborhoods have to make due with what they have. This may limit them to things like tape recorders and very basic computers, but these still have the ability to make a difference in a child's education.
ReplyDeleteLike Amy said, we need to have open communication with each of our students, as well as their parents or guardians, so we can find out what resources they have available to them outside of school. If possible, it could be very beneficial to send things home with students to borrow (such as tape recorders) if they don't have access to such things at home. It would also be helpful to find out what resources the local library has available to the community and inform students and parents of these so they can utilize them as well.
I think that the more exposure to different technologies the students can receive in school, the better. If the school lacks funding for equipment, teachers could try libraries or loan closets from other schools. Perhaps local colleges may be able to loan different technologies as well. A rotation system so that all students can try something is better than not using something at all. Grant monies are also available to teachers who apply, which could help make a more permanent resolution to a need for resources. Sometimes high tech technologies can be replicated in a low-tech, low-cost way. For example, for students with communication delays, they may benefit from a DynoVox. If there is not one available, or funding does not allow for the student to have one, an organized binder of picture symbols and velcro can help. Whisper phones are useful for independent reading time and can be made from PVC pipe. If pencil grips aren’t available, a piece of yarn can be attached to the pencil and then to the wrist to help with proper gripping. Many sensory items can be made from things around the house and dollar store as well. Most teachers are creative people. If there is a need, we just need to do our best to provide the children with everything the things that will help them most.
ReplyDeleteI have learned a lot about grands and how to get grants for your school district. I think that it is important to explore these options especially if you are in a district that does not have a lot of money. Another thing that I have found very useful when in some of my LTS positions is to get books out from the library. This is a very cheap way to get great materials for your students with little to no funding at all. I think that the more exposure to books students get the more involved in reading they get. I know that over summers my mom and I got to garage sales of teachers that are retiring and I have found of lot of useful materials, like cds, videos, software that are appropriate for my students, but cost a lot less then if I were to buy it new. I think that the resources are out there to find things cheaper and it is the districts as well as the teachers job to give technology support in the classroom to help further develop the needs of our students.
ReplyDeleteIn every school, teachers should know the resources they have. If teachers do not have a lot of resources available through the school, they should familiarize themselves with other places and see what is available to them. I think even in poor school districts, teachers should still be trying to bring in resources so that their students can utilize technology and feel optimistic about it. Like some have already said, teachers must communicate with other teachers, students, as well as parents. It is essential that teachers know what resources are available to students outside of school. If teachers want to create a teacher’s website page, they should consider who will be able to view it outside of school. If there are many students to have access to computers, then this would be a great communication tool for parents.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Christine when she said if a school district cannot afford expensive technology, make less expensive things for the classroom. Christine came up with a lot of good ideas, and I am sure there are many more things we can come up with to help the needs of our students.
ReplyDeleteOver the years, I have went to garage sales and picked up a great deal of software and supplies. My husband thinks I am nuts sometimes for buying all these things when I don't have a classroom yet, but I try to explain that if I can find programs like Math Blaster for a dollar, imagine what that can do for my classroom. I have cases full of software from my childhood and garage sales. Sometimes if you tell people you are a teacher, they will even donate things. I had a person give me a box full of children's books for free. I know that is a little off topic since it is not techology related, but sometimes retired teachers just want to get rid of things. Look for deals!
I also think the information about Grants is benefical. We learned in class about how easy it was to get Palm Piolets. It can't hurt to apply for different assistive technology whether we are in the wealthier areas or the poorer areas. The more technology we can get our hands on, the better!
Regardless of the school district, I think its important for teachers, students, parents, and community members to be aware of the technology resources that are out there. To be honest, I feel like I learn more and more each year about the programs my school offers and the resources my students are able to use from home. I felt guilty playing around on our desktop computers this past June and realizing all the really neat software that is on there. I stopped and asked myself how I didn’t know about these programs and why wasn’t I using them with my students in my classroom? Professional development programs should be implemented more in school districts around technology. Most of the time the resources and programs are out there, it is just the matter of finding out how to use them and see which ones are accessible to students from home. I recently noticed some of the research sites are accessible to our students right from their home computers if they know the password. I definitely agree that there are many grants out there to support student learning. Many people feel intimidated to use or apply for them, but they can be very easy to get. Teachers are responsible for retrieving this information and passing it along to their students.
ReplyDeleteWe can help students find resources to help them achieve by making them aware of ways to find technological resources outside of school. For example, local libraries will have access to computers and audio tapes to listen along while reading books. I think that teachers can look around the local community and see what programs or resources are avialable and then share these opportunities with the students. Teachers can also make a list of useful websites and links students can go on when they find access to a computer. Depending on the schools resources some technology may available and the teacher can make time to allow students to use these resources. we can prepare students to make good use of the resources present by informing and instructing them how to use the technology and for what purposes. Additional information and feedback about the technology and a good direction of when and how to use it will help students succeed. I know their are a lot of poor districts with limited technological resources, but even teachers in these schools can try to find community areas where students can use technology. Teachers can network, borrow, and share resources to ensure that all students are being able to experience the great learning tools of technology.
ReplyDeleteIt was sad to me to work in a urban school where they did not have as many technology resources available to them. If technology is beneficial to all students, we need to do whatever we can to make it available to students. It does not seem right to me that some students at certain schools have technology resources available to them and some schools have little to none. Each classroom should have the same technology resources available so it is fair to the children. Because it is very unlikely all classrooms in every school will have the same technology resources available to them, we need to do what Tessa said, which is make due with what they have. Any technology, even the very least, is better than none. We need to make sure we utilize any technology in the classroom. Something so simple, like a tape recorder, can make a difference in a child’s learning. I also agree with Tessa that we need to find out the resources available from the public libraries so parents are informed with what is available to their child’s education, especially if they do not have any type of technology at their home.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of the economic status of schools, teachers must do everything possible to find technological resources to help students succeed. Bringing students to the public library or borrowing equipment is one way to provide technology for students. Finding and writing grants for technology is a huge opportunity for teachers and students. Also, letting students borrow or use tape recorders, cd players, etc. is another opportunity for students to experience different technology. Informing parents of library programs or opportunities to use technology is another essential component.
ReplyDeleteIn my own experience I have found this to be a great determiner in the success of my students. When a school is ill-equipped with technology resources the effects are very noticeable. Students often work with out-of-date texts and have a lower understanding of the application of the learned material. When technology is applied it is much easier for me to demonstrate the subject’s importance and application into the real world. This experience has also forced me to look for ways to find technology resources and find the best ways to make do with what the school does offer. Grants are the most effective way in obtaining needed funds for technology. Writing letters to important people in the community or applying for give-a-ways and other promotional offers are also available. Many times I have also found that these very schools have the technology stored deep in a dark closet and it just appears that there are no available technologies when in actuality it is the lack of teacher knowledge or usage that prevents new teachers from knowing of their existence. Software can be obtained from flea markets, bargain outlets, or garage sales as Kelly had mentioned. Getting students involved with the process can also benefit them in understanding the importance of technology in our fast-paced advancing world.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it is the job of the educator to be as informed and as up-to-date as possible in order to continue challenging students and introducing them to new technology. It is also the job of educators to change the suppressed outlook that students in poor schools many times have and challenge the technologically blessed students in wealthy neighborhoods. It is important for students to understand and work with what they have been given. For students in a poor neighborhood, this may look like providing locations and opportunities for them to have access to computers, listening centers, and smart boards. Giving examples of what can be achieved and walking them through the processes for using technology is crucial as it can seem very challenging and overwhelming. For the wealthy neighborhoods, the challenge may become more personal as they commonly have easy access to technology. Through technology the worldly playing field is becoming more level. Providing opportunity, education, successful encounters and encouragement will help to level the playing field between communities, neighborhoods and beyond.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I think one ways teachers can help their students find the technological resources they need is to find out how technological informed they are currently. I have found out that just students come from poor communities that does not mean that they are technologically deprived. Nevertheless, there are a large number of students who are technologically deprived and they need all the available resources to become technologically informed. I think one way to do this as a teacher would be to make sure there a computers in the classroom that could be used as an independent center during guided reading. There are a number of educational websited that could loaded on the computer and used for phonics, phonemic awareness, reading comprehension, writing, math, and social studies and science. Plus, I think if the school provides computer workshop as one of the students' specials at least once or twice a week this would help balance the "digital divide" among the haves and have nots. Then, the individual schools within the poor neighborhoods can offer programs that provide the parents of students without a computer at home with a loan computer to have at home during the school year. At the end of the school year, the parent of the student will have to return it to the school. Finally, I think it's the responsibility of the school district, schools, and the teachers to find ways to narrow the digital divide gap between the poor and rich schools.
ReplyDeleteOne favorite activity that I like to use in the classroom are virtual fieldtrips. This is a great way to bring a field trip to the classroom when students are unable to physically go on a field trip. They can range from something fairly simple like a museum walk through using index cards or something more complex like creating a website where students can explore different avenues.
ReplyDeleteNo matter if we teach in a poor or wealthy school we as educators need to be aware of all types of technology that are available. The best person to go to in school would be the librarian. They are usually familiar with all sorts of technology that the school has available for teachers to use in their classrooms. The next best thing for a teacher to do is explore what resources are available within the community. Many times there are community organizations that offer free materials or someone to come in and give a speech related to content material.
In order for teachers to help students to find technology resources that will help them to succeed teachers need to be aware of what's out there. Not all schools have a lot of technology or money and therefore we need to be resourceful. There are many different websites that are both free and beneficial. We need to take the time to search for them, test them and share them. Collaboration is the key for teachers to find resourceful options for their students to expand their knowledge.
ReplyDeleteAlong with the free websites and games available on line, teachers could take full advantage of their local library. Libraries have computers and the capability of sharing resources with other libraries if a local one doesn't have what is needed. Lastly, a great idea to get technology into a classroom or school that has limited funds would be to apply for grants. Grants provide the opportunity to introduce students to technology and ideas that they never would have had the chance to learn about with out it.
The free resources at the library and on line should be actively shared with parents and guardians of your students in the hope that they will take the time on weekends and evenings to explore them further.
The best way to help students find technology resources that will facilitate achievement is to recommend they go to their local library. The library is a place where students of all socioeconomic backgrounds can go to access computers and the Internet and take out as many books, DVDs, books on tape, etc. as they want for FREE! As long as children are informed of the technologies that are available to them, I believe they will utilize it...especially if we, as reading specialists/regular and special education teachers, model how to go about accessing a library card and demonstrate our own excitement about the library and all that it offers.
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