As digital pedagogues, we can acquire technological skills and develop a sound theoretical framework for employing them in teaching and learning situations. But without access to the right hardware and software, and without the necessary departmental and institutional support (financial and otherwise), our skills and knowledge remain relatively useless within the classroom. An effective digital pedagogy becomes more elusive when students’ own access and support are constrained. (Think of the student who lives in an area where dial-up internet is the only means of access to the web, or the student who can’t afford a computer and must rely on over-burdened, campus-based services.)
I propose a session where we discuss such challenges, but above all, brainstorm ways to surmount, sidestep, or otherwise work through these obstacles; it’s my hope that the session will empower participants to create an actionable plan. To that end, I hope that digital pedagogues who successfully have navigated access and support issues also will participate by sharing their experiences.
Nice session and important topic– thanks for proposing. Maybe we can consider how to incorporate the technology that some of these students do use or how such a choice is/is not counter to our goals?
Kate — Sounds like a great idea. I look forward to meeting you next week.