Does your Urban School Community Have Access to Broadband?
The internet has created many opportunities to connect with the community but what if the community doesn’t have access? In many urban areas, students and their families struggle to support their teacher in the classroom when it comes to technology. Not because they don’t want to but because they don’t have the access. It doesn’t seem like much but a couple of years ago, when I was in the classroom we were moving towards a “Paperless” school. This meant, no more weekly newsprint, worksheets, notes going home, school planners, easels outside of the classroom, or mail flyers. I knew this was not the way to go when it came to a community that didn’t have full access to the broadband.
Teacher Preparation
In my classroom, I didn’t completely get rid of notes. I used verbal reminders, emails, notes and using the online platform ie. Canvas but I noticed that it was not checked. Half of the time, parents didn’t have a clue on what was going on in the classroom. I remember, two years ago I looked at the Canvas site for my students and about 8 parents never logged in to our school site. This is when I implemented a blended model, took out the technology jargon, and picked up the phone as well as sent newsletters home once a month.
The Homework Gap
The “Homework Gap” study expresses that Today, American Schools are investing billions of dollars in devices and educational technology for the classroom. Meanwhile, the lack of home internet access for school children are non-existent. When every K-6 assignment is posted online how do students access the content? Well, some of my students come before school or stay after school. Many times they give up their recess or ask if they can complete their assignment during the last part of class. This saddens me, we have created a barrier to learning unconsciously and we as teachers struggle to open the gate to educate students and the family. When we work with families we must include them even though it may be a challenge. There were times that students could check out the device and the homework was saved off line and the (how to) video was loaded on the hard drive. Yes, it took a little work but we must be creative when it comes to communities having access and communities growing with their children.
Broadband Everywhere
Many schools are opening the gate to families and students by providing access to learning within the school. In Pittsburgh at South Fayette Intermediate school, they have been working on allowing students and families to be involved in the school learning community. They are working with students and families on a district wide “Python Incubator.” We know that the digital divide has changed and the disparities of high-speed internet connectivity still creates barriers. Parents know that what schools are offering is not enough to compete. At my school, we are so worried about the latest device that we struggle to offer Computational thinking, human-center design and creativity, and push an innovative mindset. I continue to ask, “How can we go beyond and really push our students to think critically?
The Struggle
Although I would love all of these things implemented at my school, I’m hesitant because I’m tired and overwhelmed. Not only am I giving my class, every ounce of energy I have in me to make sure they have the basics, (Reading, Writing, Arithmetic)now I have to continue pushing myself, my school, and my students to get rid of the barriers so we can learn technology, apply it to life, and overcome any barriers because our shared economic future depends on it.
Resources:
http://transition.fcc.gov/files/documents/Bridging-the-Homework-Gap-Rosenworcel-Editorial.pdf
https://www.wired.com/story/rural-kids-internet-homework-gap-fcc-could-help/
https://cs.stanford.edu/people/eroberts/cs181/projects/digital-divide/start.html