Sunday, November 6, 2011
Chapter 2: Education Issues: Digital Equity/ Meaningful Homework
This issue explores what constitutes "meaningful homework" for students without computer access at home. I think three areas are key to consider: Using what they've got, involving family and friends, and investigating community resources. Using what they've got can include forms of media and learning tasks inherent in being a family and community member. Students could be asked to watch the news, the History Channel, or National Geographic to explore a topic, summarize the topic in writing at home, and then blog about it on the school computers. Students could also be assigned to listen to a NPR broadcast and summarize the information to blog about at school the next day. In addition students could use the newspaper to become aware of certain issues and even write a letter to the editor. Family/Community learning could be in the form of menu planning, which could be transferred to an excel spreadsheet at school. Community service projects could be done as a class or individually, after school and function as a form of homework. Projects could be scheduled on Google Calendar at school. Family and friends could be interviewed to become great sources of culture and history. Students could share the information they glean in a blog at school. This personal connection may create an interest that could be explored further at school using a computer. Also, students can read, write a poem, or practice math facts at home. Lastly, students could be encouraged to investigate many organizations have programs where students can be given low cost refurbished computers. Students may also have one night they could visit the library to use a computer. Some communities have computer access points. I believe home learning activities can be used in conjunction with follow upcomputer activities at school for students who have no ability to access a computer outside of school.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Meaningful homework should also be realistic homework. Teachers need to use good judgment when planning to assign homework requiring Internet access. I agree with your statements about using the educational / public broadcasting programs and print media as alternate learning resources. However, most working parents have limited time with their children in the evenings. A visit the Library or the community resources you describe, may not be feasible due to family time restraints. The school is the best location for student computer access as schools now have computers in their library or designated room, and most classrooms have at least one laptop. A teacher with realistic scheduling can make it possible for every child in the class to create and present computer based work. I believe there will come a time when schools will provide every child with a laptop for studies, similar to textbooks now. Digital equity is achievable and the schools that use planning, focus and clarity of goals will best serve its students at this pivotal point in time.
ReplyDelete