Journal 8: A '"Fantastic Super" Use of Technology: Closing the Digital Divide

In the article “A ‘Fantastic Super’ Use of Technology: Closing the Digital Divide,” author Diane Curtis introduces us to Mary Scroggs Elementary School in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This relatively new school, built in 1999, has a technological focus, which they are able to provide their students because of a grant by Bell-South. Each classroom has laptops and computers with wireless internet for use by students. The school runs a closed-circuit television stations which produces a daily news report. Additionally, the school was built with technology and collaboration in mind. Teachers have their own offices which are connected to their classroom where they have access to computers, internet and telephones. They share this office space with a “matched teacher,” where less experienced teachers are placed with more experienced teachers for a mentor relationship.
In the agreement with Bell-South to receive the funds for the school and its technology, Mary Scroggs Elementary has promised to make the learning environment full of innovation and digital use. Each teacher has a webpage which is updated daily. They use electronic equipment in class to review the day’s lessons. They communicate with each other, students, and parents primarily through email. The students at Scroggs are becoming technologically savvy and everyone is benefitting from the advancement.

Question 1: How can the school ensure that all students and parents have access to the technology at home?
Part of the grant from Bell-South is used by the school to supply families without a computer at home a device which can be used to access email, class websites and other specific internet sites useful in education. Every student and parent/caretaker has the ability to be made aware of what is going on in the classroom on a daily basis.
Question 2: How could I integrate some of these programs in my classroom without funding from a company like Bell-South?
While not all students will have internet/computer access at home, each student should be able to find a local library, school computer lab or friend or neighbors house where they can periodically utilize the internet for educational purposes. Additionally, I may be able to find local programs that donate computers to families or schools, or provide access at a reduced price.

Curtis, D. (2002, ). A '. Retrieved January 5, 2009, from http://www.edutopia.org/fantastic-super-use-technology