In this blog post I will give my reflection to the equitable access to educational technologies presentation for EDT634. One of the most common digital divides I have witnessed is one based on age. Most of my students are of the an older generation (40+) and have been displaced from their workplace and are having to go back (or go) to school to learn skills for the new information age workplace. Up till this point in their life they have not really needed to rely on technology and were not taught it during their previous education. They also have not found it necessary to have computers or internet access at home. Therefore when they come to my school I am teaching them skills they have never needed before. It is much different than teaching younger students who have been using technology throughout their education and life.
The Grand Haven school district is trying to provide all students with access to computers with their 1:1 initiative. I am hoping they will provide teachers access to training so they will learn how these new devices can be used in their classrooms. As the presentation described it is not enough to provide students with computers and internet access but we must teach them how to use them in was that will provide them with skills need to for this information age.
In regards to the Grand Haven school district I would consider us as one of the "haves". I think we are lucky to have a community willing to support and help fund our technology plan. I am hoping that the district will not rush the implementation and will do a great job so it is not a waste of money. It has become a redundant theme in this class but I strongly feel that if professional development is not made the number one objective then there is little chance the program will be successful.
I do see a variety of students in both the undergrad and grad programs here at GVSU, in addition to the GTC program (which is geared toward career change students). Since our classes are online and hybrid, these students have often had little exposure to the format based on the age at which they first attended college. Some adapt very quickly (so it isn't always an age related issue - many undergrads at GVSU do not have an online course until they have EDT370), but others do struggle.
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