Technology, Education, and Equity: Issues

The Gender Gap:Females are under-represented in high school

technology classes and in technology careers.

The Digital Divide: In homes and schools, minority status / low

socioeconomic class = less access to technology

Technology, Education, and Equity: Solutions

Females and minorities perform well in technology courses and pursue technology careers when technology education is tailored to their needs and interests

Programs like MIT Open Courseware and the E-rate increase access for all

For the disabled, technology creates equity through accommodations and assistance

Technology and Ethics

Thanks to technology innovation, it’s never been easier to be unethical

• Pornography• Hacking• Financial scams• Privacy violations• Harassment

Education Mandatory!

Schools can provide young people with invaluable guidance and training in how to use technology ethically.

ReferencesBrown, B. (2001). Women and Minorities in High-Tech Careers. ERIC Digest. No. 226. Retrieved

June 2, 2008, from http://search.ebscohost.comCarvin, A. (2007). There is a Digital Divide. In D. Haugen and S. Musser (Eds.), Opposing Viewpoints

Series: Technology and Society (pp. ??). Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale. Johnson, D. (2004, January). Proactively Teaching Technology Ethics. Library Media Connection.

Retrieved June 2, 2008, from http://search.ebscohost.comMason, C. & Dodds, R. (2005, May). Bridge the Digital Divide for Educational Equity. Condensed and

published by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. From Principal, 84 (March/April 2005). Retrieved June 2, 2008, from http://search.ebscohost.com

McGrath, D. (2004). Closing the Gender Gap: Girls, Technological Fluency, and PBL. Learning and Leading with Technology, 31(6). Retrieved June 2, 2008, from http://search.ebscohost.com

Meyen, E., Poggio, J., Soonhwa, S., & Smith, S. (2006, March). Equity for Students with High-Incidence Disabilities in Statewide Assessments: A Technology-Based Solution. Focus on Exceptional Children, 38(7). Retrieved June 2, 2008, from http://search.ebscohost.com

Nuwere, E. (2007). There is No Digital Divide. In D. Haugen and S. Musser (Eds.), Opposing Viewpoints Series: Technology and Society (pp. ??). Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale.

Silverman, S., & Pritchard, A. (1993, September). Guidance, Gender Equity, and Technology Education. Connecticut State Department of Education. Retrieved June 2, 2008, from http://search.ebscohost.com

Teachers: Give Us Better Tech Training, Support. (2008, June 11.) eSchool News. www.eschoolnews.com. Retrieved June 12, 2008. <http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/?i=54091;_hbguid=f99984a6-9c03-4824-8e3a-1fcb0386c0ce&d=top-news>