Module+3+Reflection


 * Reflection Prompt: //Reflect on what you plan to do to address the equity and ethics issues when applying technologies. You may share with us about what you have been doing by addressing theses aspects and what you will change after learning in this module.//**

There are aspects I am going to think more closers about after reading about different equity and ethics issues concerning technology. The TPCK Handbook described and discusses different types of digital divides to consider when integrating technology in the classroom. It gave strategies to help facilitate technology equality within the different types of digital divides. The articles spoke of ethical issues that arise with digital learning courses and students with special needs. There were many points and questions brought up in the articles to guide in ethically sound decisions when integrating technology. Situations discussed really had me analyze and think about my current practices and their affects on the students outside of the school day. The students I work with are special needs and when certain pieces of technology are used is it really helping them become more independent or are they just relying on another piece of equipment to help them through their day? This is a major question and thought I had after reading the article about special needs and ethical concerns.

I work in a lower socioeconomic school district and the first digital divide is an issue we have to work around. A teacher cannot assign a computer assignment for homework because not all students have physical technology equipment at home or the proper tools to complete an assignment. I always tell the students there is free computer and Internet access at the local library, but then another obstacle we face is not all parents have transportation or work second or third shift and are not available to take their children to the library. There are also parents who are not able to use their gas money to get their children to extra activities due to needing to get to work. I try and work around this digital divide by offering other times during the day students can come to my room to work on a computer assignment. I never thought about there being different forms of the digital divide, but after reading the chapter I realize that the “second digital divide” affects me greatly as a technology user as well. With fewer tools and accessibility of technology in my school, many teachers take the “old school approach” and think it is easier to teach paper/pencil. With this mindset come many resistant teachers (which to a technology user is frustrating). After reading I am much more empathetic to the technology skills of my coworkers. This is also the case with the parents of my students. Those that do have access to a computer/Internet still have trouble outside of the classroom because their parents are unable to assist them due to their low technology skills. Again, I need to be more aware of this and be empathic to their abilities.

In respect to ethical concerns and people with special needs I never really thought about some of the concerns technology can put into question before reading the article. “The financial ability of people with disabilities is whether it is fair to teach those individuals who have no access to these devices at home or in the work place to use devices in schools or training centers” (Bedini 1993). As a teacher in the younger years, I tend to think about what will make the school year successful and more effective and how technology could assist them, but never really thought about the fact that many people do not have continued access after school. Even if it helps them have equal opportunities in school, is it really going to help them in the long run? One thing that comes to mind is the wireless keypads students’ use for occupational therapy purposes. While on one hand they help with typing skills, which is coming a skill more widely needed, but on the other hand is this practical piece of assistive technology helping the student or teacher? I have learned there are many questions to think about concerning the ethical uses of technology to assist people with disabilities that I did not consider previously.

As a future technology facilitator and avid user of technology in a low-income school district I am going to be more considerate to the needs and abilities of my students, parents and coworkers. With this I might consider offering an extended day for students to stay after school to utilize technology needed for an assignment that they do not have access to at home. Taking into the digital divide of other teachers, and again to assist in my future leadership role I want to open my assistance to teachers and provide opportunities for them to learn from me. I offered this at my last building leadership meeting and a few teachers made positive remarks on how they would definitely take me up on the offer. I would be willing to show parents how to access and use different technology tools at Open House or Conferences (that is I have to get them to come in first!). When thinking about the future of my students and the use of technology I will be more thoughtful and careful on what its impact will be on their independence after school.