Lab 08: NYS K-12 Learning Standards for Technology & Issues of Equity Related to Using Multimedia Technology in the Classroom

Description: New York State's learning standards, covering Math, Science, and Technology, have a goal for technology education that states, "Students will apply technological knowledge and skills to design, construct, use, and evaluate products and systems to satisfy human and environmental needs."* The technology learning standard (Standard 5) is broken down into seven areas: design, tools, computer, systems, history, impact, and manage. We will be looking at curriculum ideas that you can use to satisfy these areas of the standard.

When attempting to develop curriculum for the technology learning standard, the resources available to your classroom will likely affect what you can accomplish. Does your school have a computer lab? Is there a computer in your classroom? Is that computer connected to the Internet? Is there a full-time staff person available for information technology support? The answers to these questions could vary dramatically from school to school, district to district, and will likely depend on the socioeconic status of the student body of the school.

So how can you deal with these obstacles and meet the technology learning standard's requirement? And what changes are going to happen in the future affecting these and other issues of equity in the classroom?

Reading: Integrating the Internet for Meaningful Learning, pp. 248 - 260.
Applications/Equipment Used: Windows OS, Microsoft Word, Web Browser.

Links:
NYS Technology Education Standard 5 - from the University of the State of New York, State Education Department, core curriculum standards.
Center for Educational Technology - National Educational Association discussing the need for technology to be part of classroom learning experience.
NETC: Equity in Educational Technology - Northwest Educational Technology Consortium's practical guide for k-12 educators for closing the gap in technology access and use.
Digital Equity Network - addresses inequitable access to learning technology resources for all learners.
Critical Issue: Ensuring Equitable Use of Education Technology - from the North Central Regional Educational Laboratory.

Lab Procedure:

1. Find an article using Google or Lexis-Nexis that discusses one of the three issues of equity when attempting to integrate the use of technology in the classroom: socioeconomic status, gender, or adaptive computing.
2. Write a one page response to this article giving your opinion and how you might deal with this issue in your future classroom. Be sure to quote the article at least twice and include a bibliographic entry at the end.
3. Save your paper in a Word document appropriately named (EX: jones_lab08.doc ), with your last name, email address, and the lab number at the top of the document.
4. Send your word document to my AC230 Digital Dropbox on York’s Blackboard. The subject line should give your name and the lab number (Frank Jones Lab 08).
   

*(1996). Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology. Retrieved October 1, 2003, The New York State Education Department Web site: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/techmap/map.html%20