Live Chat Transcript: Lagging Behind

In ED WEEKS live chat transcript of “Technology Counts 2007: A Digital Decade,” Susan Victor, a teacher at Holbrook Jr./Sr. High School, asks “What do you think is the biggest roadblock to the successful implementation of technology in schools. It is the digital divide (lack of monetary resources), or is it the digital generation gap (lack of awareness of the value of technology in education by administration), or both?” I found this question intriguing considering we have touched about similar discussions in class. First, we have asked how to integrate technology in classrooms and schools that have low funding. Andrew Trotter acknowledges this situation: “there are a lot of external forces that are reducing the digital divide, as prices drop and families are motivated to sacrifice to buy trendy and/or increasingly useful technologies.” While Trotter makes a good point, he still fails to fully answer the question at hand. Yes, more families are buying computers and technologies that are useful to students. But what about the SCHOOLS that can’t afford this equipment? ED WEEK’s article, “A Digital Decade,” mentioned “E-rates” for discounts, and the fact that 95% of schools are now connected to the internet. But that doesn’t mean their technologies are sufficient enough for student use. That means 95% of schools can connect to the internet; but how many computers do these schools have, how often are students using them, which students are using them, what other technologies does the school offer? I would like to see that part of Victor’s question answered more in-depth. One comment from Trotter I did agree with, that I feel corresponds to this question, though was not directed to this question, stated, “Being a laggard, as opposed to middle-of-the-packer, results in missed opportunities.” I feel many schools are still missing opportunities they can provide to their students by not having the funding or budget for technology they should—digital divide.