Technology

Lack of Technology in Schools

Tameka Goldsmith
EDU 352
Professor Williams
April 12, 2015

Technology

In today's society lack of technology within schools is a huge issue. Because of society is so
technology driven is it important to have it in schools. However, a lot of schools either don't have
it in the schools, or has outdated stuff. Children in low income and middle class community all
falling behind in the area of technology compared to their upperclass pers. Yes, I did include the
middle class, because it is true. I live in a middle class area and our area schools technology is
so outdated compared to our counterparts in Northern Virginia. In the article, "Students Demand
Right to Technology in Schools" by Tina Barseghian, the students from several different high
schools in lower income areas spoke out about their lack of technology compared to their peers
in Beverly Hill (Barseghian,2012). Most of those students voiced their displeasure regarding the
lack of technology in their schools. One student stated, We dont have the basic needs that
students at Beverly Hills High have, said Myquesha Moore from Crenshaw High. Why should
I have to go to a library outside my school to have access to computers that are available, but
limited? Yes, were learning to type on our T-Mobile Sidekicks, because were taking our own
initiative. But were crucified by a process thats making us a permanent underclass. We are
forced to stay at the bottom, and this lack of technology will not allow us to develop skills for the
job market. Budget cuts can no longer be a reason why me and my peers are tech-illiterate.
Weve had this problem since before the economic crisis (Barseghian,2012). Because lower and
middle class areas don't have the up to date technology, these students continue to fall further and
further behind educational technology speaking. In all honesty most of these school districts just
don't have the proper funding for something as huge and expensive as technology upgrades.
According to another article, "Lack of Funding Creates Barrier to Using Tech in Class" also
written by Tina Barseghain, "Although most teachers have access to computers in their classes,
only one in five say they have the right level of technology, according to a recent PBS national

Technology

survey of teachers grades pre-K-12.Limited budgets were cited as the biggest barrier to accessing
technology, according to 63 percent of teachers. In low-income communities, lack of funding
was cited for 70 percent of teachers as the biggest obstacle (Barseghain,2012). The article also
discusses how affluent areas have more support from parents and the school board when it comes
to funding technology so here is another barrier for these students.
The resource,"Top ten issues Shaping Today's Technology uses in Education, was very
interesting. The resource discusses the importance of technology in the schools and how it can
help break down physical barriers and promote learning not only within the students but the
teachers as well (Courville, 2011)." Because there is such a discrepancy and gap as far as
technology between the rich and poor, the question brought worth should be; How can we fix
this problem? Should the government provide additionally funding for this gap due to the fact
they preach about the "Common Core and No Child Left Behind"? What do you think?

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References:
http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2012/03/students-demand-right-to-technology-in-schools074/.
Retrieved April 3, 2015.
http://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/01/24/lack-of-funding-creates-barrier-to-using-tech-inclass/. Retrieved April 3, 2015.
Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2010, July 20). Top ten issues shaping today's technology
uses in education. Retrieved from http://www.education.com/reference/article/ten-issuesshaping-today-technology April 3, 2015.