This is a work in progress- I needed to get something up here so I can set up the slideshare I'll be using for my class assignment. This is no way near complete.
Suggestions for state allocations of technology funds
1. Suggestions for state allocations of technology funds A focus on Digital Inequality and Digital Divide Presentation by Melissa Getz
2. Introductions State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chief Technology Advisor Honored guests Data, Needs and Opportunities Review the 7 suggested uses from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Technology Advisor, Melissa Getz’s, recommendations Discussion Plans for our next meeting Today’s agenda
7. Karen Cator, National Education Technology Plan Advancements in technology Advancements in social learning Moving toward a digital based learning environment Ideas borrowed from: video of Karen Cator of the NETP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATlvkklmvqU&feature=player_embedded#t=0s Needs and Opportunities
8. Install computers in all public libraries in the state and expand the hours when the computers are available. Expand staffing and other resources so that public schools can be open to the public after normal school hours, on weekends, and during the summer months. Provide individuals in disadvantaged communities with computers. Provide high-speed Internet and mobile access for all state residents. Subsidize Internet Service Providers to provide low-cost Internet to all state residents. Provide information literacy courses to enhance computer skills and enable knowledgeable use of digital technologies. Develop free online educational content, giving first priority to content most relevant to lower socio-economic groups before content that is relevant to the rest of the public. State Superintendents Recommendations
9. Suggestion #1: Install computers in all public libraries in the state and expand the hours when the computers are available. Cons Pros Computers are available to all local citizens Students who use library computers can mention in college entrance essays what they chose to do to complete their assignments Teachers can use this information when they write letters of recommendation for students Parent controls can be set so all patrons are blocked from inappropriate materials Many students will allow having to go to the library to be the barrier that enables them to not do assignments Computers may be damaged if not properly supervised Computers may need technical support that is not readily available
10. Suggestion #2: Expand staffing and other resources so that public schools can be open to the public after normal school hours, on weekends, and during the summer months. Pros Cons Students who do not have computers at home can stay after school to continue doing their work Students will have greater access to computers on weekends and during the summer Firewalls and protection software will be in place to prevent access to inappropriate websites Safety of students to/from school- it may not be safe for them to travel by themselves on foot after dark Need to hire enough staff so that all areas of school can be safe- may need to provide physical barriers to block off parts of the school Need to be able to monitor equipment with respect to vandalism
11. Suggestion #3: Provide individuals in disadvantaged communities with computers. Pros Students and adults who may not normally use computers will be able to Cons People who don’t know how to use computers may not know what to do when faced with technical challenges Paying electrical bills for computer use Space in the homes for the computer and furniture to support usage
12. Suggestion #4: Provide high-speed Internet and mobile access for all state residents. Pros Will reduce financial obligations to people who choose to participate in program If the Internet access is Wi-Fi, then Internet access will be ubiquitous Schools will be able to provide students with iPads or equivalent hardware to use during class- but will need Wi-Fi Cons Assuming residents have equipment to use Internet and mobile access
13. Suggestion #5: Subsidize Internet Service Providers to provide low-cost Internet to all state residents. Pros Everybody benefits from this opportunity Cons Still requires residents to own the hardware needed for Internet use
14. Suggestion #6: Provide information literacy courses to enhance computer skills and enable knowledgeable use of digital technologies. Pros Can run the courses through the Adult School system so people can earn credits Cons Informing people of course availability- may require more resources than expected
15. Suggestion #7: Develop free online educational content, giving first priority to content most relevant to lower socio-economic groups before content that is relevant to the rest of the public. Pros Free online educational content has a higher chance of being accessed if free. Cons Who decides which content is most relevant to lower socio-economic groups? Will that sustain the digital divide?
16. Given the data and based on my personal experiences in various classrooms throughout our area, I am making the following recommendations: Melissa Getz’s recommendations
17. Install computers in all public libraries in the state and expand the hours when the computers are available. Accessible to everybody Employ more people to help users Need to make sure we buy equipment that is easily managed and easy to upgrade with memory or peripherals as needed Technology Advisor’s Recommendations
18. Expand staffing and other resources so that public schools can be open to the public after normal school hours, on weekends, and during the summer months. If we can keep the students at school where an adult can keep an eye on them, they will be safer than on the streets Plus they can get their homework or long term assignments completed because there should be a safe, quiet space for them to use. Awareness of digital safety Technology Advisor’s Recommendations continued
19. Free Wi-Fi Internet access throughout the state This will enable anybody with Wi-Fi enabled equipment to access the Internet Of course we will have to make sure it does not interfere with any industries or companies Have users sign an agreement when they access the service acknowledging that it is not secure and that by connecting they may be exposing themselves Technology Advisor’s Recommendations continued
20. Subsidize Internet Service Providers to provide low-cost Internet to all state residents who earn 500% or less than what is set for the federal poverty level. Federal poverty level chart on next slide Technology Advisor’s Recommendations continued
21. Technology Advisor’s Recommendations continued 2011 HHS Poverty Guidelines SOURCE: Federal Register, Vol. 76, No. 13, January 20, 2011, pp. 3637-3638
23. Provide information literacy courses to enhance computer skills and enable knowledgeable use of digital technologies. Create optional courses with more rigor than basic “how to use a computer” classes so people can become certified to be adult supervisors in schools for their after-hours programs. Naturally adults will have to pass the FBI background check to be able to work with minors before being accepted into these courses. Digital safety Technology Advisor’s Recommendations continued
24. Subsidize current educational companies that provide content online so it can be streamed into schools for free. Services such as: United Streaming Other online services after going through a rigorous evaluation to ensure their content is correct and useful ZP Online Publishing Educationcity.com Technology Advisor’s Recommendations continued
25. Subsidize current educational companies that provide content online so it can be used by people who need a high school diploma or are displaced workers, for free. Companies such as: ed2go, Gaitline Education http://www.gatlineducation.com/highschool.htm Ashworth http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/programs/high-school/ Technology Advisor’s Recommendations continued
26. Subsidize teachers who work at Title 1 schools or who worked for at least 5 years in a Title 1 school to: Take an online course, one free annually. Must maintain a B average or better to maintain eligibility. Take courses through PBS TeacherLine online Take graduate or college level courses concerning how to use technology in the classroom, must be an accredited institution Complete the National Board Portfolio Process Technology Advisor’s Recommendations continued
27. Subsidize all teachers and instructors with : Pearson eCollegeaccounts- online collaboration with subject area or grade level peers Reduced fees for courses through Knowledge Delivery Systems PBS TeacherLine Stanford Center for Professional Development ASCD professional development courses Other courses offered through accredited institutions Technology Advisor’s Recommendations continued
28. Any questions? Next steps? Next meeting- time and place? Time for discussion
29. Video about the NETP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATlvkklmvqU&feature=player_embedded The 2011 HHS Poverty Guidelines: http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/11poverty.shtml Teachers' Use of Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools: 2009 http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2010/2010040.pdf Resources
30. Companies or websites mentioned on various slides: http://www.kdsi.org/Professional-Development.aspx http://scpd.stanford.edu/publicViewHome.do?method=load http://www.ascd.org/professional-development/PD-Online-Courses.aspx http://us.educationcity.com/ http://www.gatlineducation.com/highschool.htm http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/ http://www.ecollege.com/index.learn http://www.zponlinepublishing.com/ Resources
