Technology for Urban Schools Ch. 3 - Eileen Gallagher

Gallagher's article titled, Technology for Urban Schools: Gaps and Challenges, was short but concise, made good sense. As far as challenges, there are many schools face on a daily basis, especially urban and rural schools.

Wiring remains a large problem in urban and rural schools. Within rural schools, location, funding, and out-of-date buildings are large obstacles. The article states that even small school districts will not see "completions of wiring until 3-5 years later" (LeBaron, 2001, p. 33). Look at how much technology has changed just within 3 years - Smart Boards, Projector use in classroom, teacher web pages, etc.! The article also discusses the diverse populations among school districts and that technology actually collides with programs dedicated to many levels of education (preschool, elementary & secondary) (LeBaron, 2001).

In rural areas Local Area Networks (LAN) and Wide Area Networks (WAN) are difficult to implement. The cost becomes great, as it is difficult to run specific wires/cables to vast areas. Often times, too, the resources are not readily available and again the cost becomes outlandish. Then schools end up using the same equipment for years and years, never upgrading and basically the school becomes obsolete both technologically and educationally.

And because districts often focus upon standards and tests, teachers do not always want to dedicate any time to learning about new tech. tools and strategies (LeBAron, 2001). New technology and its implementation, according to some teachers, takes away time they could spend teaching. Technology, however, can achieve both means: curricula material can be taught with ease using technology tools and the students can still be successful test-takers, if not more successful (LeBaron, 2001).

Working at a brand new school has given me ample opportunities to integrate technology into my lessons being taught. We are well-wired, well-equipped and the staff is very savvy. The problem lies within the schools surrounding us. They are not new and they have not been equipped like new schools often are; there are not as many staff or student computers to use and the technological tools we have far outweigh those found at area schools. And that is just not fair. Can you imagine, and I have said this before, if there was a national agenda for such resources? It is just not fair for some schools to have loads of technology and others are just barely scraping by. Technology is instrumental in effectively educating students and if the district must build another school, well then at the time of wiring for the new school, and equipping the new school, why not look at other schools and try to efficiently supply enough technology among the schools. Educationally, this is the only fair solution. This is the technological generation; it needs to be reflected in our teaching.

Chicago seems to be completely aligned with successfully integrating technology. I realize Chicago has hundreds of schools and a large, organized plan is necessary but their plan is very effective in terms of integrating technology into the educational system. Separate departments have been created such as, the Dept. of Information Technology Services (ITS) and the Department of Learning Technologies (LT) (LeBAron, 2001). These departments have been set up solely for teachers and schools to help integrate and assist schools in many capacities, especially that of tech. integration. In-services are conducted frequently, set up by these departments and teachers seem like they are continuously learning new strategies they can use in the classroom the very next day. These teachers have embraced the concept and have a great deal of help. With pressure and duties relieved from administrators and staff, technology integration is much more effective, useful, easier and successful.

References:
LeBAron, J.F. & Collier, C. (Eds.). (2001). Technology in its Place. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Thornburg, D. Education, Technology and Paradigms of Change for the 21st Century. Monterey, Calif.: Starsong Publications, 1991.