Professional Development Learning Module: Digital Access Presented by Tarena Ruff !

NETS ADDRESSED NETS T 4) Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices. b. Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learnercentered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources. NETS A 1) Visionary Leadership Educational Administrators inspire and lead development and implementation of a shared vision for comprehensive integration of technology to promote excellence and support transformation throughout the organization. c. Advocate on local, state and national levels of polices, programs, and funding to support implementation of a technology-infused vision and strategic plan 2) Digital Age Learning Culture Educational Administrators create, promote, and sustain a dynamic, digital-age learning culture that provides a rigorous, relevant, and engaging education for all students. c. Provide learner-centered environments equipped with technology and learning resources to meet the individual, diverse needs of all learners 5) Digital Citizenship Educational Administrators model and facilitate understanding of social, ethical and legal issues and responsibilities related to an evolving digital culture. a. Ensure equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources to meet the needs of all learners. FOCUS QUESTION What accommodations can be made for students who are not fully equipped to access technology?

RELATED QUESTIONS

What are some factors that limit digital access? Are we assuming that all of our students have access to technology? Why is it important to ensure digital inclusion of all of our students regardless of socioeconomic status, location or disability?

OBJECTIVE

Participants will fully understand the impact of the current digital divide that exists in education. Participants will attain knowledge of ways to accommodate students who have limited or no access to technology. Participants will learn of assistive technology to accommodate students with learning and physical disabilities.

RESOURCES NEEDED

Real Connections: Making Distance Learning Accessible to Everyone http://youtu.be/F3sdR53ho2g Crossing the Digital Divide: Bridges and Barriers to Digital Inclusion http://www.edutopia.org/digital-divide-technology-access-inclusion University of Washington Access to Technology: Online Tutorial http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Technology/aeit.html University of Wisconsin-Madison: Web Accessibility 101 http://www.doit.wisc.edu/accessibility/online-course/defined.htm Digital Citizenship: Using Technology Appropriately http://digitalcitizenship.net/Nine_Elements.html International Society for Technology in Education - http://www.iste.org Survey Monkey - http://www.surveymonkey.com

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION Define digital access and discuss the digital divide and ways that lack of inclusion can impact students with limited access to technology. Demonstrate how photos uploaded to the Internet, email and discussion boards can be coded so that they are accessible to visually impaired learners. Ask participants to share ideas about ways their institutions provide access to all students.

EXTENSION IDEA

Discuss with participants how they can organize group projects to promote student collaboration and pair students who do not have technology with those who do. Record lectures and convert to MP3 files or burn to CDs. Encourage discussions with school administrators to implement computer donor programs. Develop a list of free Wi-Fi locations near your school or in your students neighborhoods.

TEACHING TIPS

Have participants brainstorm ideas that can be useful for their colleagues about ways access to technology can be increased. Have participants reflect on their students use of technology. Are there some students who are more connected with the digital world than others? Do you, as an educator, hesitate to incorporate technology in your lessons because of digital access issues? Explain that digital access does not just imply lack of technology tools and resources. It could mean lack of technical support either at home or at school. What are the demographics of not only your students but also your students parents? Are they less likely to offer assistance or support for assignments that require technology? Participants will develop a technology survey to administer to their students. Using this information about digital access and usage, they will develop a plan to bridge the digital divide at their schools.

ASSESS PARTICIPANT LEARNING

Participants will be given a pre-test to assess current knowledge about digital access. After the presentation, the participants will be given a post-test to determine if they have acquired new knowledge on the topic.