Who are we Leaving Behind?

Today at work (an educational summer camp for kids), some co-workers and I were discussing how much education has changed since we were kids. It should be noted, that while we range in age from 25-45, we have all noticed significant changes. The replacement of Smartboards with chalkboards and the incorporation of computers into classrooms are only a few examples of this. When I was in school, watching a movie in class meant the "TV trolley" would be rolled into the classroom - now we have Netflix on laptops.

Innovation in education has come so far and this works well for most of our students who have grown up in modern times. Teachers can actually have students complete their quizzes in class, through an app on their cellphones, or have students submit their assignments online. There is even a website called Edmodo, where a teacher can create an "online classroom" for their students to ask questions at anytime. Moving forward like this is great, but what about those who get left behind?

When I did my teaching practicum, I had a student who did not have access to technology like his peers. He did not have a cellphone or access to the internet at home. This automatically put him at a disadvantage next to his peers - while he could use the computer at school, he simply didn't have the same experience/skills as the other students. Is it fair to have the same expectations of this student regarding the project?

This example has me wondering if - despite all of the amazing advances that we have made - innovation in education will inevitably leave some students behind? If technology is unavailable outside of school, these students are given less time/opportunity to complete projects.

In an article called "Bridging a Digital Divide That Leaves Schoolchildren Behind" by Cecilia Kang, this lack of digital opportunities is described as the "homework divide" (1). She explains that in some areas of Texas, students spend time after school trying to connect to the wireless internet (as they don't have access at home). This lack of access can be due to factors such as poverty or location of a residence (lack of internet access in remote areas). Kang explains how widespread the issue is: "With many educators pushing for students to use resources on the Internet with class work, the federal government is now grappling with a stark disparity in access to technology, between students who have high-speed Internet at home and an estimated five million families who are without it and who are struggling to keep up" (1). Perhaps government involvement is the beginning of a solution to this problem?

I am curious to hear opinions regarding this. Is there something that could be done to help these students to "catch up?" In moving us forward, is innovation in education holding some of us back?

Works Cited:

Kang, C. (2016, February 22). "Bridging a Digital Divide That Leaves Schoolchildren Behind." The New York Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/technology/fcc-internet-access-school.html