The assumption that an entire generation can defined by their technology and media usage is rash at best and racially and economically biased at worst, especially when labeling a generation the “iGeneration” (Rosen, 2011) due to the popularity of technological gadgets. If that is the case then why not call my generation – Generation X – the “Walkman Generation” or the “Cable TV Generation”? Why not call the Baby Boomer generation the “Television Generation”?
First of all, the use of computers – desktop or laptop – the internet, and internet technology is not cheap; therefore, it is not universally accessible to all students regardless of their popularity. Furthermore, technology statistics can be misleading. For example, a study by Wells & Lewis (2006) reported that 100% of public schools and 94% of classrooms had internet access; in addition, the student-to-computer ratio was a low as 3.8:1. However, working in a school with a high population economically disadvantaged students, I can attest that, although all classrooms have internet access, the majority of the classrooms have only one computer and students do not have access to those computers. Many of my students do not own cell phones and even fewer have smartphones. That is not to say that these students are not technology savvy, but technology and media use cannot be divorced from technology and media access.
Achievement is connected to opportunity and opportunity means accessibility. Research has linked the educational achievement gap in mathematics of economically disadvantaged and ethnic students to an opportunity gap experienced by this same demographic of students. Flores (2007) maintains that an opportunity gap exists because these students do not have equitable access to a quality education; data indicates disparities in access to quality teaching and funding. Lack of funding necessarily impacts access to and quality of technology available to students. Of course, opportunity does not guarantee achievement but without similar opportunities should we expect similar outcomes? Should we expect similar characteristics? Should we expect similar behavior? I do not have an answer because this problem does not have a simple solution.
We are responsible for providing our students with a quality education and technology is definitely a means of doing so. However, let us always keep in mind that our students do not have equitable access to technology. Therefore it is our responsibility to employ a variety of methods to ensure that learning is taking place. Do not get me wrong, I love technology. I also believe that, “the smartphone, the internet, and everything technological are not ‘tools’ at all – they simply are” (Rosen, 2011, p. 12).
References
Flores, A. (2007). Examining Disparities in Mathematics Education: Achievement Gap or Opportunity Gap?. High School Journal, 91(1), 29-42.
Rosen, L. (2011). Teaching the iGeneration. Educational Leadership, 68 (5), 10-15.
Wells, J., & Lewis, L. (2006). Internet access in U.S. public schools and classrooms: 1994 – 2005 (NCES 2007 – 020). Washington D.C.: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics.
Your are right technology is not available to everyone, However, most American children have some type of access to technology. I seen poor students with cellphones. This is technology and according to the artilce is can do many of the things that defines a iGeneration child like texting, emailing, commuicationg, music, photos, and videos.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is everywhere. Carls Jr, Mcdonalds, and libraries. It is all free. I managed an online class of over 100 students for over 6 months using free internet access. You can pick up a used laptop or have an outdated one given to you. With all the tools out there, you can create and interact for almost nothing. Technology can be used even if the classrooms don't have enough of it. Give students an idea and let them run with it. Being creative is what technology is used for. Embrace it. It is here to stay.
ReplyDeletejeff what you are suggesting is an oversimplified solution to an incredibly complex social issue. The El Paso, Las Cruces, and Juarez area, including the surrounding colonias, has a considerably high population of poor families. A fast food restaurant with free WiFi and a hand-me-down computer is not what I would consider to be an equitable solution.
ReplyDeletePlease let me clarify, my issue is not with technology; I love my toys (how my wife refers to my ipod, smartphone, netbook, etc.). My issue is with the labeling of a generation based on a telephone, video game system, or music player. I would much rather be labeled as Generation X because of my disconnectedness from the previous generation than to be labeled as the Cordless Phone generation, the Atari generation or the Walkman generation simply because that, now obsolete, technology was revolutionary when I was a child.
I could not agree with you more. You make a valid point about not labeling the entire generation based on the popularity of technological gadgets. You're right, so many people do not have access to technology no matter how popular it is. Especially in El Paso where all of our schools are Title I and many of our students can barely afford lunch and school supplies, much less all of the popular technology available today. However, this is what makes me think it's even more important for us as teachers to expose them to the technology and prepare them for its use in the world as much as possible. One day our students will go to college, graduate and be so much more, and they must be as equally prepared as wealthier kids to survive and excel in this technology-driven world.
ReplyDeleteDB well said
ReplyDeleteI can see how it is oversimplified to call a generation the iGeneration, but I think it still fits. Every generation is over simplified. I just think because this technology exists now, this generation has more access to it. I didn't have a computer growing up, but I still had access to computers. Access today, even in El Paso is there. Personally owning technology is something different.
ReplyDeleteWow Cole, well put and well said! Saying that children fall under a certain generation is just as bad as having one standardized test and saying that ALL students can pass it.
ReplyDeleteGreat discussion. I guess I am on the fence as far as my opinion. Last year I interned at Aoy Elementary, which is on the border, I know some students had games like Wii and Xbox and their parents had iPhones - yet were on some kind of public assistance. Some people are more determined to have these technologies than others. There is also a public library, within walking distance of the majority of these students as well as many other area schools, where they can play the Wii, watch a movie, or enjoy full internet access. I realize that not every Title 1 student has the luck of living next door to a library but sometimes where there is the will there is a way and everyone involved plays a part in that. Like Cole said, "[t]herefore it is our responsibility to employ a variety of methods to ensure that learning is taking place," as teachers we could inform parents that the library has such programs and as DBeltran emphasized, we as teachers need to expose students to the technologies we have. With this said, I see that these students are at a disadvantage and we need to not only even the playing field by doing what we can in the classroom but by advocating for these children with our voice and vote.
ReplyDeleteyo !
ReplyDelete