Prioritizing Tech: connect and consolidate

With the current influx of technology initiatives, topics and movements, it is easy for educators to be overwhelmed. Incorporating new technology is crucial for schools facing issues of accessibility, inequality and opportunity. The key to success, in my opinion, is to consolidate new initiatives and to find professional connections between new curriculum, student movements and technology.

The most important issues in the tech-ed world right now, for me, focus on the inequality of opportunities in technology for some students. It can help to consolidate multiple issues (lack of access to a computer at home, lack of familial or community support for new technology, student background knowledge, barriers to accessing tech for teachers) into one- the digital divide. The disproportionate access to technology continues to drive unequal future opportunities for students, and the communities with less resources and support tend to have less access to innovative materials and tools. Having worked in a school of 256 students with only 26 (7 year old) computers, I have seen the detriments of an environment like this first hand. Consolidation of these issues into a simple phrase- the digital divide- helped me frame this problem to potential funders of programs, educators who were lacking context, or those who didn't work in the education profession. This lack of equal and fair access is a fundamental conundrum in the tech-ed world, and for me, is the priority.

For students and educators in underprivileged schools with less resources, access to new technology and materials is an opportunity that they do not take for granted. My second priority, after issues of unequal access, would be to connect educators with resources and like-minded professionals. I have seen the emotional, logistical and monetary value of personal connections- teacher to teacher communication, administrators comparing budgets or ideas, schools sharing technology resources. Building our PLN's through Twitter this semester has awakened my knowledge of the extensive and wide-reaching online community for tech-ed. Hashtags like #vted and #makered have already demonstrated their usefulness for in connecting educators, demonstrating new strategies and highlighting success stories.

In my opinion, framing adopting new curriculum or initiatives in this way- through connection- allows for educators to feel like they have support. Many issues that teachers encounter when isolated can be intentionally mitigated with connection and community. Implementing new standards, incorporating new tech tools and finalizing new personalized learning plans could feel overwhelming for many VT educators. Building community and connection is essential to allow educators to take full advantage of new initiatives.