Riding Tech to the Top: Student Futures Shine in the Classroom

Riding Tech to the Top: Student Futures Shine in the Classroom
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Thought leaders discuss technology and the changing landscape of education

(courtesy of Girl Stem Stars)

It doesn’t take an expert to bear witness to the obvious tech gap in education – a gap glaringly wider in inner city schools. Too often many assume that kids exist in the educational system on a level playing field, when in fact the population is constructed of both “haves” and “have-nots.” Already burdened by a lack of mentorship, general educational resources and technology, some students have to tackle daily hurdles just to live, such as a lack of heat, hot water and cooking gas. These kids have identified only one way out – through sheer luck, clinging to the hope that maybe one day they’ll play in the all-star game as a professional basketball player or accept a grammy for “artist of the year.”

But there is hope. In recent discussions with thought leaders in the education space, it has become clear that tech can in fact be the ladder which students – from underserved communities and beyond - can climb to reach brighter futures and more positive realities.

Carve pathways toward solutions

“Here is the fundamental issue we have in our society,” says Rose Kirk, President - Verizon Foundation. “We are in a time and a space where people understand the world is shifting around them. Education is the key to equalizing the playing field. The issue, though, is whether people believe that you are equalizing the playing field for the factory jobs of yesterday, or are you equalizing for the digital economy that exists today.”

“They need the access! These tech companies need to go get them, show them what’s available, and then show them how to access it,” exclaims Kiwoba Allaire, founder of Girl Stem Stars. “Let us go out into the local schools and say: ‘You got space for a STEM lab? If you don’t, we’ll build one for you here. You want to do a hack-a-thon? Let’s teach you how to code.’”

But simply adding tech to a classroom alone doesn’t solve the problem.

Latasha Gandy of the Minnesota chapter of Students for Education Reform states: “I can tell you a story about a high school in Saint Paul I attended growing up that had the newest tech but low education standards. The computers weren’t being utilized... That high school eventually failed and closed down for low performance.”

You have the tools – now leverage them

“It isn’t just about putting technology into the hands of students,” said Rose. “It’s about teaching [teachers] how to leverage that technology for their educational and professional development. This is why it’s equally important for teachers to receive the proper training to integrate technology into their lesson plans.”

Latasha added, “I am seeing an increase in schools moving towards individualized learning plans where students shape their own education while meeting academic standards, and they use computer platforms to track their progress. One key element is the external component, such as internships at host sites in the real world. In order for those students to succeed at these internships, they need the technology access in the schools. If they don’t have technology, the kids won’t be qualified for the jobs of the future.”

Be a catalyst for change

“Every company has an obligation to have an impact on society,” Rose states, “and, frankly, that obligation works best when aligned with who you are as a company. As a technology company, as an innovation company, there is no better place for us to be than innovating. We need to show these kids that there are other well-paying, prosperity-driving occupations other than being a basketball player or a rapper.”

“They call it the keychain effect,” states Matthew Curinga, associate professor of Educational Technology at Adelphi University, director of the Graduate program in Educational Technology, and co-founder of Zero Day Camp. “You go to the library, they’re having a hacker day or something, and you print a keychain with your name on it on a 3D printer. It sparked your interest. I am interested in what would a curriculum look like that would get someone deeply engaged in it where they would have some of the same tools.”

Reality doesn’t have to bite

While not everyone can grow up to be a professional sports player, an award-winning actress or a famous singer, the dream of a bright future and better life is made possible upon the solid foundation of technology, in both its utilization within the classroom setting and also in career choice. Through the insights provided by experts like Rose Kirk, Kiwoba Allaire, Latasha Gandy and Matthew Curinga, empowerment abounds, as students become equipped with the tools for success, and as educational institutions and instructors take steps

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