Introduction to Digital Access
Digital access is one of the nine elements to digital citizenship. One can not be a digital citizen if they do not have digital access to technology. Digital access is a large aspect and factor that is considered in schools for students and staff. "Teachers and administrators need to understand that technology will be important to the future of all students" (Ribble, 2007). Technology is an emerging trend that is a major component to instruction in the classroom. Students are becoming digital citizens at an early age, compared to their parents, because of the access to technology they have when in school and outside of school. As technology advances it is important for students and other tech users to be full participants in the digital society. As educators it is our responsibility to make sure everyone has equal access to technology in the learning environment; however some factors we are out of our control. Digital access is also available outside of the classroom by being present in the local library, wifi networks, and through portable devices that have internet connections. In order for all of our students to take part in the digital society, all of our students must be provided the opportunity.
What is Digital Access?
"Digital access means to have full electronic participation in society" (Ribble, 2007). It is imperative that the following two aspects are addressed within digital access: 1) equitable access and 2) assistive technology for those students requiring accommodations.
Overview
Educators and parents desire to achieve the same goal, which is want what is best for their students. Educators and parents need to work together as a team to ensure their students have equitable access in order to become a successful citizen in the digital society. Equitable access means that all students have equal opportunities to access technology in and outside of the classroom. "Schools have been acquiring technology for years, but many schools still have inadequate resources" (Ribble, 2007). Even though some schools may have a lack of technology due to finances or other resources, does not mean digital access is out the window. If an opportunity is available to one student to access technology, then it should be offered to the other students in that same classroom. If the technology is available, we need to encourage our learners to use it to their benefit educationally and socially. We need to take advantage of our students knowledge with technology and learn with them all the new emerging trends on the various digital devices. In addition to having access in school, it is just as important to implement technology use outside of school. We need to take our students to the library, or allow them to play on a tablet to engage them in the digital society with supervision to promote educational and fundamental skills to participate in the 21st century. By providing them with such opportunities it allows them to be productive and successful citizens in the digital world.
The second aspect to digital access is the use of assistive technology for those students with learning needs. Students with disabilities require accommodations and access to assistive technology could be one of them. Some students require an agenda book to stay organized or glasses to better read the board. Other students may work best with preferential seating or close proximity to the teacher during independent work. Accessing technology often provides students with specific accommodations. Educators and parents need to be aware of the students' needs and provide them the services needed to be successful with the technology devices. For example, a student with vision impairments may require a magnifier to scan over the paper to enlarge the print in order to read it properly or use a speech to text program when using a computer. If a student has a physical impairment or disability they may need to have access to a modified keyboard or switch in order to communicate. No matter the need of the student, all students should have an equal opportunity to use technology effectively and successfully. With this being said, everyone needs to know and understand that not everyone will use technology in the same manner, but should have access to it for their needs to met successfully.
Resources: use the following links to learn more about assistive technology
Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative - This program connects Delawareans who have disabilities with the tools they need to be successful and productive citizens.
Links to Free Software - This web resource provides a list of various assistive programs available to download for free including: Balabolka, Word Logic Predictive Keyboard, Natural Reader, WordWeb, ReadPlease 2003, Rough Draft, and Cayra.
AbleNet - This company provides products and services for adults and students with disabilities such as communication aids and access aids for successful and meaningful lives at school and at home.
Vendors for Software and Assitive Technology - This lnk provides a comprehensive list of companies that develop products such as software and assistive technology.
Freedom Scientific Products - Freedom Scientific develops products that provide equal access to technology use for those students with vision impairments or learning disabilities.
Resources in local community:
WiFiCafeSpots - This resource provides a map identifying the local cafes with free wireless internet access. Use this map, to help locate these cafes in your local community.
Harrington Library- At the library in Harrington, patrons can access computers with library card along with other free items. Contact the library for more information.
Milford Library- The library offers free internet access with library card, children's programs, and plenty of other resources.
Links to Free Software - This web resource provides a list of various assistive programs available to download for free including: Balabolka, Word Logic Predictive Keyboard, Natural Reader, WordWeb, ReadPlease 2003, Rough Draft, and Cayra.
AbleNet - This company provides products and services for adults and students with disabilities such as communication aids and access aids for successful and meaningful lives at school and at home.
Vendors for Software and Assitive Technology - This lnk provides a comprehensive list of companies that develop products such as software and assistive technology.
Freedom Scientific Products - Freedom Scientific develops products that provide equal access to technology use for those students with vision impairments or learning disabilities.
Resources in local community:
WiFiCafeSpots - This resource provides a map identifying the local cafes with free wireless internet access. Use this map, to help locate these cafes in your local community.
Harrington Library- At the library in Harrington, patrons can access computers with library card along with other free items. Contact the library for more information.
Milford Library- The library offers free internet access with library card, children's programs, and plenty of other resources.
Click on the button to view a flyer describing a technology tool to promote and enhance digital access.
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An Inside look at a Teacher's Survey |
This survey was created for educators to evaluate their knowledge of digital access and technology use in the classroom. You may also complete the survey to see how you result when it comes to digital access.
The Results Are In:
According to the responses, fifty percent of the participants have an understanding of the term digital access. Most of the teachers who completed the survey teach an average of thirty students per block and have a class set of computers for them to access at least twice a week. There was a wide range of technology devices available to the students outside of the classroom, such as computers, tablets, phones, and others. It is apparent that all educators believe that 100% of students have access to technology while in school. On the other hand, the results for teachers having equal access to technology in the school was not 100%. I found these results to be interesting, since we should be modeling the expectations with technology and can not do so without equal access. The most informative response was the concerns with digital access and technology within the school itself. Some of the responders stated that we need more technology available (laptop carts, etc.). One participant had a concern with the lack of technology during all the state testing windows when the labs and library are booked. Educators did respond positively to the question asking about student engagement with technology. All participants responded with how much more the students are engaged and responsive to the instruction when using technology devices or even when it is delivered using technology. It is evident through the survey results that technology impacts the learning of students and others in the learning environment. The issue with not having enough technology will be continue for reasons dealing with finances, misuse of devices, repairs and the student count per school.
Digital Citizenship by Grace Dutton is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.