The Digital Disconnect Constance Steinkuehler C&I 514 Instructional Computing in Schools I

Qualitative Study of Internet Use public middle & high school kids PEW Internet Report (2002)

Internet-savvy students rely on the Internet to help them do their schoolwork – and for good reason. PEW Internet Report (2002)

Students report that the Internet helps them… Complete schoolwork more quickly Better understand course material Use up-to-date information in papers Better juggle schoolwork & extracurricular activities Learn in depth about what is meaningful to them PEW Internet Report (2002)

Students‘ educational use of the Internet… To write papers & complete homework Correspond with other students about projects & tests Share websites & homework shortcuts / resources Frequent websites given them by their teachers Form online study groups Create educational content for others PEW Internet Report (2002)

The way students think about the Internet is closely tied to they ways they use it for school. PEW Internet Report (2002)

virtual textbook & reference library PEW Internet Report (2002)

virtual tutor & study shortcut PEW Internet Report (2002)

virtual study group PEW Internet Report (2002)

virtual guidance counselor PEW Internet Report (2002)

virtual locker, backpack, notebook PEW Internet Report (2002)

Yet many schools & teachers have not yet recognized (let alone responded to) students’ use of the Internet. PEW Internet Report (2002)

Major disconnect between in-school & out-of- school use of the Internet. Because… School administrators set the tone for school Internet use. Wide variation of Internet use in different classrooms. Students report that in-class Internet use is often lame. PEW Internet Report (2002)

major roadblocks PEW Internet Report (2002)

Quality of Access Restricted times & locations Social restrictions (requiring spcial approval) Technological restrictions (surveillance) PEW Internet Report (2002)

Fear of adult content results in restriction from other, legitimate online resources. PEW Internet Report (2002)

Not all students have Internet access at home. PEW Internet Report (2002) Therefore, teachers don’t give assignments using it.

514 Solutions? Get in-school & out-of-school Internet use in sync Improve student access (if not in schools, where?) Better teacher professional devt in technology More (and better) online educational content. PEW Internet Report (2002)