Lessons on Laptops: Digital Divide Growing Between Teachers, Students
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: August 30, 2012
NORMAL--Peggy Glover has been a substitute teacher for six years.
During that time she says technology has changed from classroom overheads to personal laptops.
"We didn't have the Smart Boards we didn't have the notepads," Glover recalls.
Nowadays, this retired educator finds herself glued to her iPad in order to keep up with young minds and current trends.
"The teachers who have retired in the last five to six years, they're not familiar with that technology," Glover explained.
She says the digital divide in classrooms is getting bigger.
This year sixth graders are getting lessons on laptops, a district plan that will continue with each incoming class.
"They've been growing up with this ever since birth and so it's very familiar for them to see things in a digital format," said sixth grade teacher Shawn Schwerman. "Just to read things online...which is maybe more difficult for adults."
The laptops contain programs like Google Mail, Microsoft Word and Adobe Photoshop.
So instead, of turning in papers to teachers, assignments can be emailed.
"A year or two from now, it's going to be much easier and we're obviously saving a lot of paper," said Schwerman.
But Glover says these new teaching methods are leaving her in the dust.
So she's got a different strategy up her sleeve.
"I always ask the kids," said Glover. "The kids are knowledgeable, and they can help you with all the lessons. So, I feel comfortable with that."
As this digital district continues to grow, Unit Five staff members say if the demand is there, they'll take technology to the next level by hosting workshops for fill in teachers.
"If you know that you're always subbing in the middle schools and you want to stop in, here's the date, and here's the time," said director of teaching and learning Jennifer Gill. "We really hope to build our capacities through those types of opportunities."
During that time she says technology has changed from classroom overheads to personal laptops.
"We didn't have the Smart Boards we didn't have the notepads," Glover recalls.
Nowadays, this retired educator finds herself glued to her iPad in order to keep up with young minds and current trends.
"The teachers who have retired in the last five to six years, they're not familiar with that technology," Glover explained.
She says the digital divide in classrooms is getting bigger.
This year sixth graders are getting lessons on laptops, a district plan that will continue with each incoming class.
"They've been growing up with this ever since birth and so it's very familiar for them to see things in a digital format," said sixth grade teacher Shawn Schwerman. "Just to read things online...which is maybe more difficult for adults."
The laptops contain programs like Google Mail, Microsoft Word and Adobe Photoshop.
So instead, of turning in papers to teachers, assignments can be emailed.
"A year or two from now, it's going to be much easier and we're obviously saving a lot of paper," said Schwerman.
But Glover says these new teaching methods are leaving her in the dust.
So she's got a different strategy up her sleeve.
"I always ask the kids," said Glover. "The kids are knowledgeable, and they can help you with all the lessons. So, I feel comfortable with that."
As this digital district continues to grow, Unit Five staff members say if the demand is there, they'll take technology to the next level by hosting workshops for fill in teachers.
"If you know that you're always subbing in the middle schools and you want to stop in, here's the date, and here's the time," said director of teaching and learning Jennifer Gill. "We really hope to build our capacities through those types of opportunities."
