Are we providing the best educational experience possible? No? Then what obstacles do we need to overcome to prepare our students better?

Technology is everywhere, or so it seems. As educators we are required to use a certain amount of technology in our lesson planning. How do you decide what to do or what software to use? What is your business plan for integrating technology in your lessons?

Before you decide what you are going to do or use you have to consider what is available to the students on- campus and off-campus. And then we come to two possible issues we never were aware had a name:
Digital Divide and Digital Inequality.

So what are these two concepts?

First of all lets discuss the digital divide.

What is it? Digital divide is a term that refers to the gap between demographics and regions that have access to modern information and communications technology, and those that don't or have restricted access. This technology can include the telephone, television, personal computers and the Internet.
(according to Whatis.com)

Do our students have the necessary equipment and/or technology, on-campus and off-campus, to complete technology related assignments?

So then, what is Digital Inequity?

Digital Inequality is a term that describes how technology users access and learn their technical skills in their daily lives.
(according to: https://maysayparn.wordpress.com/2011/02/07/digital-divide-versus-digital-i...)

Just because many of our students have a computer does not mean they know how to fully navigate it. Many students know how to get of Facebook and like apps.... and maybe the Internet. However, many do not know how to enter a web address or how to save a website.

How Are They Different?

Digital inequality is different from the digital divide because it
focuses on the user's abilities with technology versus the ability to obtain technology.

Why is this Important?

Because educators need to know what can be assigned at home versus what can be done on campus.

Educators also need to know the abilities a student possesses before they can assign an assignment or project.

First issue that came up in my research: Unreliable Internet service for the district.

Many teachers experience the frustration of incorporating the use of a video or some interactive website into their class instruction. They get ready to present it, after checking earlier in the day to make sure it works appropriately, and it won't work. Then they look in the bottom right corner and see "No Internet Connection Detected."

So now they waste class time trying to figure out what the problem may be. Is it on their end...something they can fix real quick; or is it something they need a technology administrator to handle?
Then they have to think right on the spot to adjust the daily assignment because no one can use the Internet!

2. Many students do not have Wi-Fi at home.

This is a problem because every student is issued a netbook at the beginning of the school year. However, if they start an assignment at school that requires Internet research it is a bit more cumbersome and will require more class time to be finished. As apposed to being able to work from home.

And I mean cumbersome because even if they have an Internet connection at home they get confused easily because it looks different from how it appears on their netbooks.

Which leads us into problem #3

Students' limited Internet searching abilities.
Knowing the difference between a resource and a search browser. And the different types of search browsers.

It amazes me how many students do not realize that Google, Bing, Safari,, etc. are search engines and not just another "website."
I am also amazed how they do not know how to mark favorite websites, like their teachers' websites, so that they can go back to them easier. The skills of the student varies with each one. Things that we take for granted, i.e. opening MS Office, is a struggle. We as educators assume they know how to open programs by sixth grade; however, that is not the case and then the frustration sets in.

What could we do to fix these issues that are present in the classroom?

Solution for the issue #1 Unreliable Internet.

Appeal to the board of education and ask them to research and purchase service from a better Internet Service Provider. We need a provider that will be consistent and have a higher Internet Speed.

We need to be able to rely on the Internet to work 95% of the time. We can be forgiving for an issue every now and then, but not everyday.

Solution to issue #2
No Wi-Fi or Internet service at home.

There is not much here that educators can do. We just need to plan extra time during class to allow all students to finish in that time period. In the event a couple of students do not get finished during regular class times, you can offer extra time. They could come to school early in the morning before school starts or stay later after school is dismissed.

Try to be flexible

Solution to issue #3
Educate.

Obviously, students are not receiving proper basic Internet skills in other classrooms or at home. So as teachers, we need to take the initiative to incorporate teaching the basic skills in our classrooms. Take a couple of days at the beginning of the school year and teach the students about search browsers; where to type in a web address; how to check e-mail; how to save to Favorites; and how to use Favorites. You get the idea?

Teachers educate; and if you want to incorporate computer use into your lesson you need to take the initiative to teach what you want them to know.

Recognizing that all students do not have the same technology and/or technology skills is very helpful and a must in the classroom.

Addressing the digital divide by allowing students to work on tech assignments in class will cut down on student anxiety and teacher frustrations.
AECT Standard 1.3 and 1.5 could be met by doing work in class.

Digital inequality is a MUST know in the classroom.

NEVER assume a student knows how to navigate or search or even open software on their netbooks/desktops/laptops/tablets. It is up to the educator to TEACH what they expect from the students. That means getting them on the same page at the beginning of the school.
This would meet the AECT 1.7 and 1.9

You don't have to discuss digital divide/inequality to your students. You DO need to address it behind the scenes and on lesson plans.