DIGITAL EQUITY

How can teachers ensure equitable digital access in the classroom?

According to Common Sense's recently released research report, The Common Sense Census: Inside the 21st-Century Classroom, nearly a third of teachers said it would limit their students' learning "a great deal" or "quite a bit" if their students didn't have access to a computer or the internet. In addition, nearly a third of teachers shared that they assigned homework online at least once a month.  Providing true 24/7 access to learning means more than distributing devices and providing internet connections in the classroom. It means taking a close look at student experiences when they leave the classroom and giving them every opportunity to continue learning whenever they want, where ever they may be. 

                                                                                                                    

Best practices to ensure equitable access in the classroom include:

  • Giving scholars class time to complete work in those classes that require the use of computers and internet
    • Have a Sign Up Sheet 
    • If there are numerous students but limited computers, divide the students into groups and have each of them have a scheduled time to be on the computers when they are in class
    • If it is far enough in advance, the kids can set up a time with the teacher before or after school to work on their work in the library or in the teachers' class
    • Use available technology in school to conduct research, collaborate with classmates, or create multimedia representations of their learning. As a follow up, use homework to review, remember, and reflect on their learning-tasks which may not require devices
  • During group work, create rotation stations where scholars rotate from the computer to library books to articles
  • Teachers can encourage the Bring Your Own Device policy (BYOD)
    • This policy should be used to create a high-access environment
    • This creates a three-screen day that includes a mobile device, a production device, and a large sharing/editing screen for extended learning opportunities
    • **Disclaimer: BYOD should not replace a school district's commitment to 1:1 access.
  • "Read the room."
    • Don't be afraid to reconsider your homework policies
    • Always be mindful of the constraints students may face in how they access technology
    • Give at least 48 hours between the assignment of online homework and submission date allows for more flexibility in finding access to a network. 
    • Having a policy such as an "Absolutely No Late Work" policy is ineffective for those scholars that cannot turn in an online assignment due to a lack of access at home. 

 

OUTSIDE RESOURCES THAT TEACHERS CAN ACCESS TO ENSURE EQUITABLE ACCESS

  •  Groups such as EveryoneOn and PCs for People provide refurbished computers at low or no cost.
  • Teachers might contact local businesses and ask if they might donate older computers instead of recycling them.  
  • Leverage Donors Choose. Recently, CoSN in partnership with Donors Choose created a toolkit where powerful crowdfunding platforms can raise millions of dollars worth of technology each year for classrooms across the country. This toolkit helps district leaders guide teachers in using the platform to get technology for their classrooms. Not only might this be a great way to purchase technology resources but it also might give teachers an opportunity to raise equity issues within the district

 

TAKE A LOOK AT HOW DONORS CHOOSE AND OTHERS SURPRISED A SCHOOL IN BROOKLYN WITH BRAND NEW LAPTOPS

Teachers, want to learn more? Check out these resources: