Digital Equity Closing the Gaps Created by Jaclyn Stevens EMU EDMT 330 ~ July 30, 2007

The Problem: Digital Equity means “all students have adequate access to information and communications technologies for learning and for preparing for the future-regardless of socioeconomic status, physical disability, language, race, gender, or any other characteristics that have been linked with unequal treatment”.

The Five Dimensions of Digital Equity 1. Technology resources 2. Quality Content 3. Culturally Responsive Content 4. Effective Use 5. Content Creation

1. Technology Resources Students must have equal access to the tools of technology (hardware, software, wiring, and connectivity).

Solutions: The Digital Equity Toolkit is an online resource which provides information to educators looking for access to technology.Digital Equity Toolkit How can I learn more about the digital divide? Where can I find inexpensive computers? Where can I get free or inexpensive Internet service? Where can I get free or inexpensive ? How can I get affordable Internet service for my school? Where can I get free or inexpensive web page hosting? What resources are available to build digital equity? What are community technology centers, and how can they help? What about help for teachers to learn how to use technology in the classroom? What about digital equity for persons with disabilities? Where can people use computers in their community? What about sources of Internet-based curricula?

2. Quality Content Students must have equal access to high quality digital content.

Solutions: Online sources for students to do authentic learning via computer– beyond simple internet research, journaling, or games. Examples: Amusement Park Physics: allows students to apply the rules of physics to a real world subject ( ) ( ) MarcoPolo Internet Content for Classroom for the Classroom (

3. Culturally Responsive Content Students must have equal access to high quality culturally relevant content.

Solutions: Online resources to help teachers design culturally appropriate lessons and allow students to become more engaged and go more in depth into a subject than they could with a textbook. Examples: We Shall Overcome: a travel itinerary of 41 churches, houses, & other properties related to the post-World War II civil rights movement. Circle of Stories: uses documentary film, photography, artwork and music to honor and explore Native American storytelling.

4. Effective Use Students must all have educators skilled in using these resources effectively for teaching and learning.

Solutions: Teachers and student teachers must be trained to utilize technology effectively in their classrooms. Online Resources: Education With New Technologies: helps educators develop powerful learning experiences for students through the effective integration of new technologies. K12 Handhelds: a list to spark imagination about different ways to use handheld computers in education. (pt)2- Preparing Technology Proficient Teachers

5. Content Creation Students and educators must have equal access to opportunities to create their own content.

Solutions: Teachers should utilize technology that allows students the ability to create something of their own which they can then share with others. Examples: Clickable Poems: Learn about living and dead poets, and create poems. Kidlink: A place for kids to collaborate and network with friends around the world.

In Our Classes: Unending resources exist offering ways to get technology into all students’ hands and use it effectively. It is our responsibility as teachers to research the possibilities and pursue them. Find tools that work for you within your subject area and never stop looking for new ideas!

Credits: Morse, Timothy. “Ensuring Equality of Educational Opportunity in the Digital Age.” Education and Urban Society 36:3 (2004): Solomon, Gwen. “Digital Equity: It’s Not Just About Access Anymore.” techLearning.com. April 15, /equity.php 04/equity.php “The Five Dimensions of Digital Equity.” Education Reform Network National Institute for Community Innovations. 29 July