Over the years

Thinking back over the years I can’t remember ever being in a class that at least once didn’t incorporate some form of technology. When students are using technology as a tool or a support for communicating with others, the student is actively making choices about how to generate, obtain, manipulate, or display information. Technology use allows students to be actively thinking about information, making choices, and executing skills rather than the typical teacher-led lessons. When technology is used as a tool to support students in performing tasks, the students are in the position of defining their goals, making design decisions, and evaluating their progress. I found that the increased competence students feel after mastering technology-based tasks and their awareness of the value placed upon technology within our culture, led to increases in students' (and often teachers') sense of self-worth. Technology is really valued throughout our culture. I’ve found that, "students gain a sense of empowerment from learning to control the computer and to use it in ways they associate with the real world." New technologies are advancing in our world today; they are pushing educators to understand them for classroom use. Yes it is still possible to teach students without the use of some form of technology, but with the pressure of the outside world, it would be beneficial for everyone. 

Do online classes ensure equality?

There are many pros and cons that come with online classes. Taking online classes are really beneficial for not only the student, but the teacher as well. You’re able to complete the assignments on your own time. I think online classes can eliminate some inequality in the school districts. For example if one school is equipped with very well experienced teachers and another school, teaching the same class, has not as well developed teachers: In this case an online class would help give students and the school district and equal opportunity to succeed. Every school district is different and not always at the same level. By having online classes, it ensures that everyone is on the same page and receiving the same base curriculum. Online classes ensure equality in a course sense, but not in an outcome sense. Just because you have the same curriculum in every district doesn’t mean each school will have the same performance. Every student learns differently, so online classes might not be the best for everyone. You’ll always have a variation in the success of your students, so some districts will always be above others.  When offering the same class in the same environment ensures the equality that most schools are looking for.

It could help!!

Gender inequality is an issue that is very relevant in our world today. Would the use of technology help reduce inequality in schools?

Benefits:

•  Using technology would help teachers not discriminate based on handwriting.
• Clickers could be used to eliminate bias answers.
• By having multiple choice answers instead of short answer or essay questions, the teacher wouldn’t be able to give a variation of scores based on his or her opinion.
• Teachers generally call on males more than females, so technology would eliminate this issue.
• Teacher is still going to be able to tell who is who based on the name at the top of the paper. Technology would help this situation if we for example used our ID numbers in place of our name.

We need to make sure society is aware of just how serious gender inequality is in our schools today. If we are able to spread the word and stress the importance of change, I feel like we would have a better chance in seeing it through. People would become more aware of their actions and hopefully begin to change them and give everyone an equal chance. Technology won’t be able to eliminate gender inequality completely, but I think it could for sure help.