^Take a moment to take this survey to see where your school stands with technology use and assistive technologies.
Equitable Access
Digital access: the availability of technologies to all people no matter their race, sex, economic status, or education. -Brittany C. Tracy
The topic of digital access is important to look at within the classroom and community because as with all new technologies this is a major problem in education. Digital access refers basically to the "haves" and the "have not's" when it comes to access to technologies. Students, parents, and teachers alike need to be able to have resources available to them in order to close this ever growing gap.
On this webpage, the topic of digital access is closely looked at to see how every student and teacher can obtain equitable access to technology. Toward the bottom of this webpage, students, parents, and teachers can find resources that give them more information about the topic and how they can help share the wealth of technological knowledge equitably amongst everyone. An interesting fact about digital access and equitable access is that just because someone may have physical access to technology does not mean they have intellectual or working access of that particular piece of technology. It is only when shown how to properly utilize these technologies when equitable access is truly equal, but even then exposure and past experience will always be variables that effect equality.
The topic of digital access is important to look at within the classroom and community because as with all new technologies this is a major problem in education. Digital access refers basically to the "haves" and the "have not's" when it comes to access to technologies. Students, parents, and teachers alike need to be able to have resources available to them in order to close this ever growing gap.
On this webpage, the topic of digital access is closely looked at to see how every student and teacher can obtain equitable access to technology. Toward the bottom of this webpage, students, parents, and teachers can find resources that give them more information about the topic and how they can help share the wealth of technological knowledge equitably amongst everyone. An interesting fact about digital access and equitable access is that just because someone may have physical access to technology does not mean they have intellectual or working access of that particular piece of technology. It is only when shown how to properly utilize these technologies when equitable access is truly equal, but even then exposure and past experience will always be variables that effect equality.
Assistive Technologies
Assistive technology: a clearly level playing ground for all students regardless of their impairments or disabilities by providing them with various assistive devices to help them access the same curriculum. -Brittany C. Tracy
The following theme, assistive technology was selected because with individualized learning plans making a clear effort in public education, all students need to be able to learn and access technologies no matter their impairment or disability. In my school for instance, with a grades 4-6 population, we have two visually impaired students in the fourth grade. Our school needed to make sure we had the technologies available so that those students would be able to get an appropriate education.
Overall, assistive technology can be one of the simplest ways to help students access the same curriculum. Resources listed below for parents, students, and teachers can be found. By reviewing these resources you will get a better understanding about what qualifies as assistive technology and how to access these types of technologies on your own computer.
The following theme, assistive technology was selected because with individualized learning plans making a clear effort in public education, all students need to be able to learn and access technologies no matter their impairment or disability. In my school for instance, with a grades 4-6 population, we have two visually impaired students in the fourth grade. Our school needed to make sure we had the technologies available so that those students would be able to get an appropriate education.
Overall, assistive technology can be one of the simplest ways to help students access the same curriculum. Resources listed below for parents, students, and teachers can be found. By reviewing these resources you will get a better understanding about what qualifies as assistive technology and how to access these types of technologies on your own computer.
For Parents & Teachers
^The following article outlines to digital divide.
^This PDF file for teachers outlines concerns and gives strategies on how to successfully become a digital educator.
^The following button brings you to a paper written that examines only one way technologies are built to support all users and learners.
^This video describes assistive technologies and how they help students with any type of impairment or disability.
^The following button brings you to Delaware's website where they further define assistive technologies and list helpful devices.
^The following link brings you to Delaware's website that compiles many different kinds of resources that are helpful for parents and teachers alike.
^The following button links to a website all about the Universal Design for Learning which encompasses the assistive technologies.
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For Students
^The following button takes you to a word document that outlines some common places to go to get Internet access.
^The following website allows students to gain free access to homework help and tutoring through webinar series.
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Digital Citizenshp by Brittany C.Tracy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.