Digital Equity

Digital equity by definition "is the goal of ensuring that everyone in our society has equal access to technology tools, computers, and the Internet, (pg.101)."  This states that everyone should be able to access computers, but unfortunately this is not always the case.  With the number of Americans living in poverty, the largest number in over 50 years, not all students have access to a the Internet, let alone a computer outside of school walls.  As a teacher designing a project for my students, one that requires research, I will need to plan the requirements so as not to leave anyone out.  I would never ask a student in front of the class whether or not they have a computer at home, nor would I assume everyone had one.  I would simply have the students answer questions regarding their projects prior to starting them, this will allow me to see who has access and who doesn't.  From there, I would require that the research be both Internet and book sources, not just one or the other.  Each student would be in charge of the specific content area, despite access to a computer outside of school.  The students would be given in class computer time to work on Internet sources, and would be assigned to research books outside of class.  This would allow for every student to be active in the process of the project, without discriminating against any one student.  It would also alleviate any embarrassment lack of a computer might cause a student to feel.