Module+3+Reflections


 * Reflect on what you plan to do to address the equity and ethics issues when applying technologies. You may share with us about what you have been doing by addressing these aspects and what you will change after learning in this module. **

The reading assigned for this module (chapter 2 of the Handbooks of Technological Pedagogical content Knowledge (TPCK) for Educators) was eye opening and engaging. It was broken into two categories, the digital divides and TPCK Context.
 * Description: **

The chapter discussed in detail the digital divide in terms of socio-economic status and race. There are three types of digital divide.
 * 1) Access to Technology: this is is the divide that most often comes to mind. The have and have not in materials such as hardware, software, and internet. The sections discusses the divide between race and socio-economic status. It urges educators to advocate for their students through thinking outside of the box to bridge this divide. Some examples include, opening school computer labs before/after school, partnering with local colleges, and making parents aware of community resources.
 * 2) Access to Achievement Enhancing TMI: "...a large infusion of technology resources, when poorly managed and used inappropriately, may be less effective-in terms of promoting ICT literacy, achievement, and social inclusion than limited resources used well. ". The section described three ineffective strategies drill and practice, defensive teaching (and learning), and using basic access to ICT as a reward. Strategies for bridging the second digital divide followed.
 * 3) Access to Culture-Sensitive Technological Pedagogy: This section described the do's and don'ts for cultural sensitivity and incorporating them into TMI. There are three components of cultural sensitivity that should be addressed: tangible items such as foods, clothing, and artwork, how people of different cultures behave, and lastly, mental processes, values, and belief systems.

In terms of TPCK Context, there are three elements that apply:
 * 1) Teaching with use of learning styles across content areas.
 * 2) Teaching with use of knowledge of unique individuals and unique content areas.
 * 3) Teaching using technology as medium of instruction.

The first section of the chapter was the most inspiring to me. Before the reading, I was not aware of the second two digital divides I found it helpful that each section discussed the don'ts and then described the do's in detail.Throughout the reading I found myself asking, "I don't do that, do I?" The section describing ineffective TMI strategies literally made me cringe knowing that I am personally guilty of letting a portion of each of these ineffective practices creep into my classroom.
 * Impact: **

Being culturally sensitive isn't something I actively think about on a daily basis in my teaching. I teach in a mostly Caucasian building, but their is small percentage of ethnic diversity. In the last and upcoming school years I will have ELL students in my classroom. My mind began to wander as I read-thinking about the mistakes I have made and how I can improve for the coming school year.

I need to be more careful of how I implement technology in the classroom. I have used technology as a reward, differentiation, and am guilty of defensive teaching. Before reading this, I thought of these practices as behavior management strengths, but I now see how they can stifle learning.
 * Intent: **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I could do some research on the internet to improve my cultural sensitivity for my incoming students. A little bit of knowledge in this area could really go a long way!