Journal #2

"Social Justice: Choice or Necessity" by Colleen Swain & David Edyburn

This article is about the social justice implications of instructional technology. The authors make a strong argument for using technology in the classroom. For me this article brought about a better understanding of social justice. Social justice in this instance is more than equal access to technology, it is ensuring that all students learn how to use and understand the tools of technology. For these authors social justice is decreasing the digital divide, finding ways to make technology accessible to all students regardless of socioeconomic status or school funding. It was shocking for me to read that 80% of jobs in the future will require workers to be technologically fluent. This article motivated me to use technology in my classrooms in order to prepare my students for the real world. It would seem that as future teachers we have a responsibility to incorporate technology in the classroom, anything else would be unfair to our students. I think the best part of this article is that it gives hope to those who don't have the funding in their schools for instructional technology. The Digital Equity Portal and Toolkit and computer refurbishment programs are excellent stepping stones towards technology access.

Question 1
What can we do as a society to make computers and technology more accessible for students?

I think there needs to be more public support for getting new and used computers in the classroom. We should have more fund-raising events. It should be easier to donate old computers to schools and charities. We should convince Bill Gates to donate at least two computers to every school that lacks current or ample technology.

Question 2
What can we do to ensure all teachers are incorporating technology in the classroom?

It should no longer be a choice to incorporate technology in the classroom. Instructional technology should be a part of No Child Left Behind. We should move beyond standardized testing and focus on preparing our students for the technology that will be their future. I think that along with the academic standards there should be technology standards.