The Digital Equity Blogpost
The Digital Equity Blogpost
We Need Digital Equity in the Classroom
Why Equity Matters in Education
Do you know why equity matters in education? It matters because all children deserve an education that allows them to flourish, grow and succeed as a student and as an individual. This short video allows us to understand that practicing equity means understanding the needs of each student. Once there is an awareness of equity in the classroom and in education, we can get into more specifics regarding digital equity and why we need it.
Equity Matters, but so does Digital Equity
Equity matters, and it always will, but so does digital equity. Do you know what digital equity is and why it is vital in education? Digital equity is ensuring everyone has access to the Internet and the necessary tools to use it. Educational technology integration is happening worldwide within curriculum and instruction design. Knowing that, we know that the use of technology is the direction education is moving. Well how do we make sure all students have access and tools to use it? That brings me into digital equity in the classroom.
Digital Equity in the Classroom
According to Fingal (2021), "Digital equity is easier to define than it is to solve. It’s about making sure students have equal access to technology like devices, software and the internet, and that they have trained educators to help them navigate those tools." I read this quote over and over because it stood out to me that much because yes, it talks about making sure students have what they need, but it also states that educators need to be trained on how to make sure the correct tools are being taught in a way that will help students achieve success. None of these expectations for students can be done without the teacher or educator so it is vital to make sure teachers and educators have what they need to make this possible.
5 Ways to Support Digital Equity in the Classroom
Make sure technology is accessible to all students - evaluate the accessibility beforehand.
Recognize current technology capabilities of current students.
Involving students in conversations about how to use technology in the classroom/at school.
Provide options for those who are socially and economically excluded to get online, especially at home.
Encourage professional development of educators - This can then lead to better understanding when students start using digital platforms.
The Common Sense Census: Inside the 21st-Century Classroom explores how K–12 educators have adapted to these critical shifts in schools and society. From the benefits of teaching lifelong digital citizenship skills to the challenges of preparing students to critically evaluate online information, educators across the country share their perspectives on what it's like to teach in today's fast-changing digital world (Common Sense Media, 2019)
This webpage gives 36 tools and resources regarding the importance of implementing diversity, equity and inclusion in the classroom.
Just because a students has access to technology does not mean they have the same and fair digital learning access. Read this blog to gain more knowledge on how to make sure all school children have equal access to digital learning resources.