Ensuring Fair access to Technology

First we must define 2 terms.

FAIR: every student gets what they NEED.

PARITY: every student gets the SAME.

Why start here?  Because depending on which you hope to achieve, your methods will be different.

Consider Johnny and Joey.  Joey has a new giga-pro computer at home with CD-ROM creator, T-1 internet connection, and lightening bolt graphics accelerator.   Johnny does not have a computer at home.

As a teacher, if you give your students 1 class period in the computer lab to type a paper on some topic, you have just instituted PARITY without FAIRNESS.   Joey can then go home and finish polishing the paper.  Johnny, must finish in the time allowed in class.

What does this mean?  You have given the students the SAME school resources for the SAME assignment.  BUT, Joey has received some resources he probably doesn't need (his computer may be better than the ones at school).  Johnny may not have received enough time to properly complete his assignment.

Another example would be that of Sally and Suzy.  Suzy has mastered the 4th grade reading book even though she is in 3rd grade.  Sally on the other hand is still struggling to reach the 3rd grade level.

As a teacher, if you assign both students one half hour to complete the same drill and practice assignment, you have instituted PARITY without FAIRNESS.

How can this be?  They can't take the computer program home!   You are right, BUT Suzy does not need the practice on that program, and probably is being held back.  Sally on the other hand may need twice as much time or a simpler program.

The next several pages cover important concepts in ensuring PARITY.

ACCESS

ASSIGNMENTS

EVALUATING

LOCATION