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"The Network" by Cisco Newsroom is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
How We Almost Put the 'Quit' in Digital Equity
How We Almost Put the 'Quit' in Digital Equity
A first-hand account of virtual learning during a pandemic
Virtual Learning 1.0
2019-2020 School Year
Picture it… It was a school day like any other. I greeted my students at the door and went about my day teaching ELA, Math and Social Studies. We had on our St. Patrick’s day shirts because it was St. Patrick’s Day dress up day of course. Meanwhile, there was chatter in the hallway about school being canceled for a few days because of some new virus that was going around. Blah, blah, blah I thought. "Just some new flu strain or something." "It’ll be fine." As I passed out our permission slips for our upcoming zoo field trip, an announcement came over the intercom. “All faculty and staff report to the library for a brief meeting after school.” my principal said cheerfully. Surely, this must be about the virus rumors I overheard in the hallway earlier that day, I thought to myself.
In the meeting, she said we’d be out for a few weeks and that someone would come and clean the school during that time and we’d be back in no time! As the moans and groans filled the room we all came to the realization that this virus was really a “thing” and not a joke or hoax. Unknowingly, at that moment, my journey into virtual teaching and learning began. Fast forward to the next school year…
March 13, 2020
Little did I know that this would be my last day of a "normal" school year for a while.
RoonZ-nl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Virtual Learning 2.0
2020-2021 School Year
If you give them computers…they will learn. I quickly realized that this isn’t always the case. After giving out several computers at the end of last year, and having several of those computers disappear or end up in pawn shops across the city, we were reluctantly ready to try virtual learning again. So, once again we distributed hundreds of Chromebooks, tablets, and hotspots to our eagerly awaiting students and their parents. However, when it was “go time” some went and others didn’t get off the starting line.
This is when I learned that there are many other factors that contribute to success with virtual learning far beyond the realm of distributing the necessary technology. Some of which are beyond our control as educators. Sure, we can pass out all of the latest technology and devices to the open arms of our students, but without the proper knowledge of how to use that technology, it doesn’t change a thing.
"Please Stand By Nfl Draft " by ISTE, Sports Manias is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
So, what was the problem?
They had the technology, so what was stopping them? After some investigation and several meetings and brainstorming, I came up with a list of unforeseen factors that contributed to the technical difficulties our students were experiencing.
Limited or no internet access - Hotspots don’t help if you don’t know how to use them.
Lack of basic technology skills - Parents lacking the technology skills necessary to help their children access and navigate the virtual learning platforms.
Language barriers - We have a large ELL population whose parents don’t speak English. Throwing in new technology further hindered our ability to communicate and connect with our students and their parents.
Inconsistant learning environments - Some parents got a brief taste of what it’s like to be a teacher, not just for a day, but for nearly a year! Some quickly realized that it's harder than it looks. Many lacked the determination and perserverence needed to help their children learn day after day.
Personal challenges - The stress and strain of the pandemic on families created social and emotional issues for students that could not be addressed through a screen. Their parents were also dealing with a lockdown, job loss, and overall angst and anxiety that prevented them from fully participating in their children’s education.
Community support - There was little to no community support from businesses and educational partners to help bring schools, parents, and students up to date with the latest technologies and how to successfully implement them.
Check out more suggestions and resources below that could help provide digital equity for all learners.
Want to Get Involved?
Want to Get Involved?
Here are some ways you can help:
Here are some ways you can help:
Try not to underestimate your students capabilities.
Make an effort to learn about new technologies.
Get students involved in their learning experiences.
Rethink your lessons and assignments.
Partner with the community for tech help and resources.
See Common Sense Education for more tips!
לסטר (Michal Lester), CC BY-SA 4. , via Wikimedia Commons
Parent workshops - Provide parents with access to online tutorials and in person training on how to install and use technology tools for virtual learning. Utilize an easy to use online platform like YouTube to provide tutorial videos.
Translators - Have individuals available to translate and work with the ELLs and their families to help ensure success with virtual learning.
Counseling - Have counselors available to help students and parents cope with trauma so it doesn’t impede learning.
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