In the Classroom: Access to Technology

I recently started volunteering twice a week teaching computers at an area high school. We have been doing mostly discussing (not using any machines yet) and I told the students to write down a particular website. To which I was met by a bunch of blank stares. Not one student had a notebook or a writing utensil! I couldn’t believe it! Exasperated, I asked, “Do you have a cell phone?” Most nodded. I said, “Take it out and put this in it.” They all did so except for one who claimed she’d just memorize the site location and another who went to her locker for paper and a pen. I believe that this experience, while way out of my comfort zone, was good for me — I’m still not sure exactly what I learned but do know that it helps me better understand my learners and for that they and I will both benefit.

After several years out of the classroom and much learning in technology I am excited to be headed back working directly with students. The school environment where I will be working has very limited Internet access. Initially I was shocked to learn this and thought “How will I ever help prepare students for the real world if they don’t even have access to the Internet?!”

After much reflection, introspection and a little research I came up with some ideas:

Many desk-top applications including Microsoft Office Suite don’t rely upon the World Wide Web. In fact Open Office http://OpenOffice.org (NO COST) is a great alternative so that students will be able to develop and practice word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheet and even multi-media presentation skills.

I could put other free and open source technologies onto portable drives and upload these directly, with the school’s permission (and maybe the student’s help) of course, onto the machines. I’m thinking GnuCash http://GnuCash.org (NO COST) is a super alternative to http://QuickBooks.Intuit.com/, Paint http://GetPaint.net (NO COST) is a wonderful Adobe PhotoShop http://Adobe.com replacement and Notepad ++ http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net/uk/site.htm (NO COST) is a good alternative to Adobe DreamWeaver http://Adobe.com.