Social Justice

I’m excited to incorporate technology into the curriculum. However, it’s important to remember that not all students have access to technology at home. Good teaching requires educators to know their students. Likewise, it’s important to know what technology (computers, Internet, cameras, cell phones, etc.) students have access to and are comfortable using. This can be accomplished through a simple questionnaire.

I don’t think it’s fair to use technology not all of the students have access to, but the same time, I believe I’d be doing my students a disservice if I didn’t use technology simply because of access issues for a few. Students will need to use technology in the real world. Therefore, I want to make sure I not only introduce my students to technology, but also teach them how to use it effectively. In other words, I want to make sure they’re “technologically fluent.”

I think schools should provide any technology they expect their students to use. If I expect my students to use certain tools, I want to make sure they have opportunities to use them in class as well as before and after school. In addition to increasing access in the school, I plan to provide recommendations to students on where they can use technology around the community (public library, etc.). In any case, I want to be careful not to draw attention to students who do not have access to technology at home and I want to make sure that my expectations are reasonable for all students.