Journal #6

Journal #6
Social Justice Choice or Necessity?
This is an article about social justice and instructional technology used in classrooms. The article was written by Colleen Swain and David Edyburn who collaboratively discuss the need for students to become technologically fluent. The article goes on and I found it interesting that in order to be successful in demonstrating social justice in technology in the classroom it must meet five standards to be equitably implemented. First, it must be available. Second, it must be used routinely. Third, it must be used in ways that reflect real-world applications of interest, complexity, and power. Fourth, it must be used to enhance learning opportunities for all students. And finally, it must be used to monitor teacher/student progress over time. All in all we as future teachers will be using technology inside our classrooms to some extent. I feel the more kids are exposed to learning computer skills the better off they will be. The article also highlights on the shift in using technology once they are out of school and I for one know first hand how crucial it is to be fluent on a computer for college and other day to day activities.

Question 1: What happens when we no longer use a pencil and paper…? Are we shifting to a paperless education for schools?
Answer: I doubt we will ever be entirely paperless, however it is absolutely shifting to less and less paper work turned in. More is being done strictly online. I think this is good for the environment, but being a little “old school” I like to see the work done on paper and a bit online perhaps a balance of the two.

Question 2: The article discusses learning who does not have access to computers and telling them where they can use one outside of school. Is this a fair way around not having Internet access at home?
Answer: NO! I don’t think it would be enough to just tell a child where the nearest public library is. It should be more equitable and a teacher should designate computer lab hours to those students.