How Do We Get from Here to There?

The assumption is that today’s kids are surrounded by and are familiar with technology. They are using MP3 players, texting, instant messaging and spending all their time pimping out their MySpace or Facebook page.

Those aren’t the students I work with. There are a few who have access to those technologies, but most others have only heard about them. They are from low-income families, and most are learning English as a second language.

Educators all over the world (and I’m one of them) are looking at how we can incorporate technology tools of all types into education in an effective and efficient manner in order to facilitate learning and a love of learning. As we do this, we need to keep in mind that some kids are starting from the very beginning. We can’t “assume” that all kids have prerquisite technology knowledge, skills, or experience.

When considering technology integration, we can’t just include those who already “have”, we also have to think about those who “have not”. They deserve the option to one day “have” also.