Digital Inequities

If you have not yet read Bill Gates' graduation speech to the 2007 graduating class from Harvard, you should. You can read it at numerous web sites, but I found the clearest one, one without ads and other distractions, to be posted here: Graduation Speech of Bill Gates

The speech was incredibly well written and it was a treat to get some insight into what Bill thinks, beyond computer software. His call to action made me pause and think about what I am doing to address the world's inequities. I think it is the inequities of the digital divide that make me so passionate about the use of educational technology in schools.

In my travels to different schools and conferences around the U.S. and beyond, I learn of many exciting and effective ways that teachers use technology in their classes. Just this morning I was reading Will Richardson's text "Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts" and learning about the many ways that teachers have used blogs in their classrooms. But my excitement is tempered by the thoughts of children who either attend schools with administrators who in their ignorance block these collaborative tools, or attend schools that cannot provide access to these tools because of lack of funds.

As the global economy shifts more and more to structures built on a foundation of technology tools, will more and more students be relegated to service industry minimum wage jobs?

Bill thinks that the answer lies in "cutting through the complexity to find the solution." I agree. In addressing the digital inequities, I think that we need to work from the ground up. We need to continue to help classroom teachers understand the potential of technology for instruction and the need for technology skills in the 21st century workplace. Teachers are caring, passionate, and work tirelessly for their students. I've seen teachers beg and borrow to get classroom supplies. Perhaps if they understand that their students need technology skills just as much as they need math skills, they will lead the groundswell to demand of the public the funding that will be required to provide ALL students access to equitible education.

Go Bill!!!