Presentation at SITE 2005

1. Striving for Digital Equity
Re-conceptualizing the digital divide for teacher
educators in the 21st
century
Heather K. Tillberg & Kenneth X. Warren
Curry School of Education
University of Virginia

2. Re-conceptualizing the “Digital Divide”
• Digital Divide
Have Not Have
Computer Hardware
Computer Software
Internet Access
Speed of Internet Access
Database Management
MP3, Audio
Digital Video
Storage Space
Typing Skills
Online Discussion
Game playing
Virtual Reality
Web design
Programming
Digital Camera
Where are you on this continuum?

3. Striving for Digital Equity?
• Users should be able to:
– Communicate effectively
– Find accurate information
– Evaluate information
– Critically deconstruct messages
– Manage information in ways that are
meaningful for his/her own life & experience
(empowerment)
– Create content!

4. Hardware & Access
• Foundation/Roots
– Computer Hardware
– Computer Software
– Internet Access
• Dial-up v. broadband v.
wireless
US Dept of Education- http://digitalequity.edreform.net/resource/306

5. Effective Use
• Branches:
– Effective use in
education
• Engaging
• Constructivist
• Empowering
• Collaborative
• Creative

6. Content
• Leaves
– Culturally relevant
content
• Community
• Family
• Lifestyle
• Interests
• Reading level
• Language

7. Strategies for Teacher Educators
• Establish relationships with Informal
Learning and After-School Programs
– Community Technology Centers
• www.ctcnet.org
– Urban League Affiliates
– Boys and Girls Clubs
– Churches and Faith-based Organizations
– Other Non-profit Organizations

8. Strategies for Teacher Educators
• Encourage pre-service teachers to be
critical consumers and producers of media
and technology
– Create blogs (online journals)
– Create and distribute videos (documentaries,
public service announcements)
– Create and sustain Wiki’s (online communities
and content portals)

9. How it correlates to the NETS-Ts standards
TEACHING, LEARNING, AND THE CURRICULUM.
Teachers implement curriculum plans, that include
methods and strategies for applying technology to
maximize student learning. Teachers:
A. facilitate technology-enhanced experiences that address
content standards and student technology standards.
B. use technology to support learner-centered strategies
that address the diverse needs of students.
C. apply technology to develop students' higher order
skills and creativity.
D. manage student learning activities in a technology-enhanced
environment.

10. Deliverable – Math Video
• Student produced culturally relevant content
related to Math
• Course of Action
– Writing the narrative
– Contextualizing the importance of math
– Reflecting on the importance of math
– Creating meaning and apply to her life and aspirations
– Gaining technological proficiencies and media-literacy
in the process
– Encourage “student as designer”model whenever
possible (Research)

11. Conclusion
• Re-conceptualizing the digital divide
• Understanding what it means to be
civically engaged and empowered
producers of technology and media
• Defining cultural relevancy
• Strategies for Teacher Educators
• Applying ISTE NETS and NETS-T
Standards
• Deliverable: Math Video

12. Resources + Links
• Digital Storytelling Cookbook: http://
www.storycenter.org/memvoice/pages/cookbook.html
• Guidelines for Oral History Interviews (from the History Channel)
http://www.historychannel.com/classroom/oralhistguidelines.pdf
• Blogger: http://www.blogger.com/start
• Wordpress: www.wordpress.org
• E-Pals Classroom exchange: http://www.epals.com/
• Europa Pages: http://www.europa-pages.com/school_form.html
• Global-Leap.com: http://www.global-leap.com/providers/index.php
• Stumble Upon: http://www.stumbleupon.com/