Post on Social Justice & Who are Today's Learners
1) I am not convinced that outside access is a problem in our local schools. As noted by Christine Greenhow the old assumptions about limited computer access for low income and rural students are less likely to apply. With the growth of social networking among the parental age group of our students, computers are no longer a luxury but a necessity. Prices have also come down dramatically in recent years. Today a desktop computer of substantial capability can be had for less than $350. Software access is also not a problem. Free Web-Based Office suites are now available form Google, Sun and MS. The functionality of these packages are sufficient for all school projects. For Portland and surrounding areas I believe we are well past the point of critical mass where computer access can be assumed for all students.
2) It will be a disservice to other students if technology use is limited because of a few. Computer access for development of computer skills and for research is essential. I suspect that the need for developing computer skills may be diminishing. We will need to teach touch typing in 4th grade to get ahead of the hunt and peck style of typing.
3) I am assuming the Disadvantaged term refers to computer and technology access at home. I expect lack of computer access to be overwhelming exception and addressible by giving preference to school computer time to those without access at home. Besides, I have enough computers knocking home that I could probably address part of the problem myself.